Does your dog drive you absolutely crazy sometimes; he whines, he has bad behavior, he gets into things he shouldn't when left alone, and maybe he is even showing signs of aggression? Well let me tell you in plain English what your dog is trying to tell you in his language.
He needs to go on a walk.
Not just around the block once every two weeks but every day and a mile or two would be nice.
I have had dogs all my life, everything from dachshunds when I was little to beagles, a husky and now a Mastiff and a Rottie and a small Mutt.
Dogs Are Simple, all they want are...
1.
All dogs want to be a part of the family.
They crave your attention and your company.
If you want a relationship with your dog, even if that relationship is only guard dog and human to be protected, there is no better way to build trust and love than by taking him on a walk.
There is nothing sadder, less dependable or predictable than a dog locked outside by himself.
2.
Dogs need to be exercised.
They need to walk every day.
It is their nature to want to walk and to not do that with their family (you) is unnatural.
3.
And your dog will feel most loved if he knows you are his leader, with compassion and no non-sense type leadership.
If you don't have time to walk with your dog or give him clear direction, give him to someone who does have the time and get yourself a hamster.
You see dogs have needs and obsessions just like we do.
Only in animals they call it instinct.
We obsess about money, our jobs, our health, our cars, etc.
Dogs obsess about walking.
Walking is their passion, their drive, their very reason to live.
They need it as badly as we need a profession; it keeps them grounded and normal.
That is how your dog feels about walking.
Even if he hasn't walked in a long time and the rules of walking and being on a leash aren't very clear.
Human in charge, dog following (that means no pulling, no jumping after kitties or other small creatures, etc.
) but you as the compassionate leader need to lead in a manner that is compatible with your dog.
My Mastiff is slow and gets hot and tired easily.
It is often necessary to let him take a sit break with some water about half way through our walk.
On the other hand my Rottweiler is a runner and she would run / walk all day if I would let her.
So how do I walk them; sometimes together but more often than not, separately.
So, if you have a dog, big or little, walk him.
He will be much healthier and better behaved.
To get started: 1.
Get a 4 foot to 5 foot nylon or leather leash.
Don't get one of those handles that have ten foot of rope on a roll.
If your dog decides to take off after a squirrel, you have no control and that roll will snap and break in a heartbeat, removing any fingers that get in the way.
2.
Get a "choke chain" that is 2 to 3 inches longer than your dog's neck is round.
Don't worry; you aren't going to choke your dog.
You just want to make sure that your dog doesn't become an escape artist.
I have a dog that can get out of anything I put on her.
I even went so far as to put a harness around her front legs with a strap through her back legs.
She still got out of it.
Now we just have a choke chain and she is content and hasn't escaped yet.
Now leash up the dog with the choke chain, take a deep breath, make the dog sit so that he is semi-relaxed instead of running out at the first crack of the door, then open the door and walk.
If your dog starts to pull, stop.
Get his attention, sit him down if you can, then you start to walk again.
You are the human.
Be in charge without getting frustrated or impatient.
RELAX and your dog will relax too.
After all, it has been a long time since your dog has seen the outside world.
He is probably overwhelmed with smells and the freedom.
He can't help but be excited.
Soon he will get the idea that you don't want him to pull.
Your best friend deserves the walk, your time and attention.
Oh, and don't forget a plastic bag so that you can pick up the poop.
Now get out there and take a walk.