BEHAVIOR

The Importance of Exercise ~

It's NOT only a physical thing!

Josephine ~ An avid swimmer & kayak pooch

photo courtesy of Katherine Green, NAC Assistant

Dogs, just like humans, need exercise to be both physically and mentally healthy. Physical exercise is scientifically proven to release endorphins, which in turn causes happiness. We can’t forget the importance of mental exercise-it is just as, if not more, important to our little canine friends.

Not exercising a dog enough can lead to multiple behavior problems. When a dog has pent up energy, it finds other things to do to exert it. Chewing, barking, as well as many other bad behaviors can be a consequence of ‘couch potato syndrome’.

The number # question I ask owners when they present a dog with a behavior problem is “Tell me about the dog’s exercise routine.” A lot of people think that a daily walk around the block is ample exercise, when most of the time it is not. Certain breeds require much more exercise-such as Labradors, Border collies, and Australian shepherds to name a few. No matter what the breed, exercise should never be looked over. Included in physical exercise is MENTAL exercise.

Mental exercise and stimulation is exceptionally important for a happy dog. Dogs are social and intellectual animals. They thrive on using their minds, and need daily puzzles to keep those minds healthy and sharp. I find that treat or food dispensing toys work wonders for dogs to exercise their brains. The dogs have to work for their food this way, which is a natural thing for predatory animals.

Start out with an easy puzzle, and then gradually increase the level of difficulty to keep the dog thinking. If the dog does not show interest in the toy, increase the value of the treat reward inside the toy. Try having it be a ‘special’ treat for that toy only. This way the dog will associate the toy with something like chicken, and will think of that when you present the toy to it. Once the dog looks forward to playing with the toy, you can start mixing in its food and weaning out the ‘special treat’, so eventually the dog eats its meals out of the toy. When the dog is done with its meal, put the toy up away from the dog until the next time you fill it. You never want to leave these toys lying around, because the dog will become familiar with them. We want these toys to be special, and for them to remain ‘high value toys’, we need to only present them for a specific time during the day.

Purchase a variety of these interactive toys, and switch them up often. It makes the toys always have the ‘new toy’ factor. I have 4 different toys, and I rotate them out every few days for Janie (my dog). This keeps her on her toes, and thinking about which toy she will eat her meal out of that day. It makes life more fun for her. =

Remember: EXERCISE your dog’s body, and don’t forget to EXERCISE your dog’s MIND too! When these two things are combined it makes one mentally healthy, stable, and happy pooch!

Toys to try:

ANYTHING by Premier Pet Products!

A list of a few of my (and Janie’s) personal favorites:

*Kibble Nibble (this one is awesome to feed meals out of)

*Squirrel Dude

*Tug-a-Jug

KONG is also a wonderful company with lots of interactive toys:

(The following toys are under ‘New products’ on their website)

*KONG Wobbler (a great meal feeder)

*KONG Genius

~ Remember, have fun with your dog! The rewards are amazing!

~ Katie, LVT & Janie, Border Collie