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Whenever someone complains to me about their dog’s behavior issues, I always ask the same question first: Do you walk your dog every day? About 90% of the time, the answer is no. Before I suggest anything else, I always tell people to start walking their dogs at least 30 minutes every day. Often, a daily walk is enough to calm a restless dog or socialize an aggressive one. I’m not suggesting that walking your dog is a magical cure all for behavior problems. However, a daily walk will do wonders for any dog, and many dog issues can be addressed by a little daily exercise and socialization.
Walking your dog provides a plethora of benefits to you and your canine companion. People often see walking a dog as merely a form of exercise, but to your pooch, with her vastly superior senses, a daily walk serves as stimulation on a multitude of levels. Socialization One of the most common roots of behavior problems in dogs is a lack of socialization. Imagine if you kept your preschooler at home all the time and only let him play with two or three toys until he was old enough to start Kindergarten. Obviously, such a child would be overwhelmed and frightened by a busy classroom full of other noisy, active students. Your preschooler would probably act out in unpredictable ways. He might hit other children or scream at them, or he might cling to you and be too shy to play with the other students. Dogs, which have roughly the same level of intelligence as a preschooler, are often kept in this very situation. A dog that lives in the same yard or home his entire life without any exposure to the outside world can’t be expected to behave well when confronted with strangers or other dogs. Just as you would make an effort to expose your preschooler to the world around him by visiting the library, park, and the homes of other children, you should make efforts to expose your dog to as many people, places, animals, and situations as possible. Animal behaviorists call this exposure “socialization,” and, as an animal that naturally lives in groups, it is vital to the health and well being of a dog. Taking your dog on a walk every day is a great way to socialize her. While out and about, you are bound to encounter people, dogs, and scenarios that are unfamiliar to your pet. Introducing your dog to these new experiences in a calm, confident way will help her learn that the world isn’t a scary place. With each new encounter, your dog will become more relaxed and confident in her environment, and you’ll be able to take your dog more places without worrying about her reaction. Bonding Dogs are social animals, and, as such, they require a “pack” to be happy and healthy. In the wild, the dog pack does everything together—eating, sleeping, hunting, and playing are all done as a single unit. Imagine how distressing it is to your dog then when she sees you walking out the door without her every single day. She wants to be with her pack, but instead she is left behind. Too many of the dog issues that people ask me about are caused by loneliness and isolation. Separation anxiety is a very real condition for many dogs, and most dog owners don’t realize how alarming it is to their canines to be left out of the pack. This is why I advise people to let their dogs live indoors as members of the family, but even if having an indoor dog is impossible for your situation, you can still take measures to include your dog. Taking your dog on a daily walk is the best possible way to make her feel like she is included in the pack. A dog begins to feel less anxious as she sees more of the world around her home. Before, your dog had no idea what laid in wait for you beyond the front door. Her beloved pack leader was leaving the safety of the home turf and she had no way of knowing if you would return unharmed. As you take your dog on walks around the neighborhood, she will realize that you aren’t in danger when you leave the house and feel less anxious about you going. A dog will also be less prone to separation anxiety when she knows, thanks to your consistent behavior, that even if you aren’t bringing her along this time, she is guaranteed to get a walk later in the day. Exercise Of course, the basic form of stimulation gained from a daily walk is physical exercise. Destructive dogs are usually just victims of lack of exercise. When people complain to me that they can’t get their dog to focus, I tell them to start going on daily walks. Once your dog burns off some of her excess energy, she will be more able to listen to you and more willing to participate in training. Most dogs require at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, and many breeds and breed mixes need much more. If you can’t dedicate at least half an hour to walking your dog, you may want to look into a different type of pet. Sometimes people tell me that they can’t walk their dog because she pulls at the leash too much. Thus begins a destructive cycle in which an active dog gets no exercise at all because she pulls on her leash—because she’s not getting enough exercise! The best solution here is to give your dog a chance to run around off leash before heading out on a walk. Spend some time throwing a ball or playing tug-of-war with your dog in the backyard before trying to go on a leisurely stroll around the block. Once your dog has burned off some energy, she is much more likely to walk nicely on her leash. Even with plenty of exercise, a dog can benefit from obedience training when it comes to walking on a leash. Walk the Dog! So if you have a dog that seems anxious, bored, aggressive, fearful, or just unwilling to listen, the very first and most important thing you should try to correct the problem is going on a daily walk. You may have a difficult time walking your dog at first, remember, this is new for her too, but if you persist, you’ll be rewarded with a happy, relaxed dog with minimal behavior issues.
Copyright © 2007 Pound Dog Rescue.
Please do not reprint this article in any electronic form.
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