| I had a lab puppy staying with me recently who is | | | | regular way to release all their instinctual hunting, |
| becoming a dog right before my very eyes. He is | | | | mating energy, they start looking for ways to |
| growing huge fast! He looks like a dog but still acts | | | | release all that pent up frustration. They start to |
| very much like a giant puppy! Like most labs I've | | | | misbehave and do things we deem as "bad." |
| met, he's a lovable and fun dude to have around | | | | What they are really doing is just trying to |
| most of the time. The last weekend I had him | | | | exercise their natural tendencies. If we don't give |
| over however, I notice he was more unruly and | | | | them a regular, daily, healthy outlet to burn up all |
| frustrated as he tried to engage the other dogs in | | | | their natural energy they will find a way to burn it |
| play. He was annoying them because he was out | | | | up that we don't care for. So, if you want your |
| of control. He had not been getting enough | | | | dog to be better behaved, start with a simple |
| exercise to help him burn off all his playful, puppy | | | | daily walk, committing to and following through for |
| energy. He couldn't help himself as he tried to | | | | at least 30, and preferably 60, minutes each and |
| engage the other dogs and me to play, play, play! | | | | every day. It's not only a way to help them burn |
| He was just doing what comes naturally to him. | | | | up all their energy but also a time for you to bond |
| He was just trying to burn up all that puppy | | | | and be their pack leader. When they get the |
| energy that had been building up in there. Lack of | | | | exercise they need then they are freed up to |
| exercise and proper daily discipline and training | | | | give their mental attention to listening to and |
| were causing him to want to crawl right out of his | | | | following you, their pack leader. Walking them |
| skin. He was frustrated and trying to release that | | | | each day can satisfy all the elements of a |
| frustration they only way he knew how. | | | | healthy, happy bond between you. While you are |
| Ceasar Milan, The Dog Whisperer's, philosophy is | | | | walking, you are giving them the physical as well |
| that dogs first need exercise, then discipline and | | | | as mental stimulation they need but you also can |
| then affection in that order. When we exercise | | | | use that time to train them on the leash as well |
| dogs to burn up all their pent up energy then they | | | | as to sit, stay, and focus their attention on you |
| can relax, focus and pay attention to us. Then we | | | | primarily. Once they are exercised and you have |
| can train them into the appropriate behaviors that | | | | spent some time bonding with and training them |
| make them loving, well-behaved companions. | | | | on your morning walks then reward them with a |
| When we don't help them burn up all their energy, | | | | treat and some of their favorite smooches like |
| it gets stuck in them. They aren't able to focus | | | | ear and belly rubs. The added benefit to you in |
| their attention on listening to us because they are | | | | helping your dog be happy, healthy and |
| like a hyper-active child who has not had their | | | | well-behaved through daily exercise is that you |
| medication. Exercise is the medication almost all | | | | improve your health too and may even drop a |
| dogs need in order to be happy and then be | | | | few lbs along the way. It is a win/win practice for |
| trainable. It starts there. If they aren't given a | | | | you as well as your favorite canine companion. |