Dog Training through Exercising

Introduction

Although dogs are domesticated animals, there is still a part of them that long for the physical exertion that their cousins (snow dogs, wolves) still enjoy.

Dogs love to run and chase other animals around for fun and for keeping themselves in shape.

But if you don’t live near the fields where you can set your dog free and run around, there are suburban dog exercises that can keep you and your dog busy during early mornings and weekends.

Frisbee

Teach your dog to retrieve Frisbee. This dog exercise may be done in a small park or an open parking lot.

Throw the Frisbee and let your dog run and fetch it for you. This is an excellent aerobic dog exercise.

Running and jumping increases your dog’s heart rate flexes his joints and muscles and improves his blood circulation.

Sports dogs such as Labradors and Golden Retrievers need this kind of dog exercise.

Twice or thrice a week of Frisbee play will do.

For running dogs such as a Whippet (breeds that have lean muscles, slender waist, short hair, and tail that goes down and stays in between the legs), running must be done on a daily basis; if not, the life expectancy of these type of dogs will be shortened.

Cardio

Sprint walk with a leash. During early mornings, you can sprint walk with your dogs on alleyways within your area.

Don’t do this type of dog exercise with toy dogs, such as Poodles and Pugs; it will strain and stress them. A simple walk will suffice.

Climb up and down on elevated ground or stairs. This is a good cardio dog exercise for all types of dogs.

Let your dog walk with you, up and down the elevated car park entrance or run with you if your dog is up to it.

About Dog Walking

Dog walking is a little-known career, but one that can have enormous benefits, if handled correctly.

Dogs are often unpredictable, especially in large groups, which is the only way dog walking really pays.

However, especially for someone who loves dogs and loves to be around them, it is a tremendously fun and rewarding experience.

Dog walking pays well, especially when you can manage several different dogs at once. And, of course, it's good exercise for you, since you get exercise just as all the dogs do. But there are a few things to keep in mind if you're looking at a career in dog walking.

Capacity

The first thing to keep in mind is, quite frankly, your size. A beefy, husky man with strong muscles is going to be able to stay in control even of large groups of heavy dogs.

A slight, skinny woman, on the other hand, won't be able to hold in six or seven eighty pound dogs, no matter how devoted or dedicated she is.

Dogs will be dogs, and even the best-behaved dogs can sometimes get distracted and want to bound out into the street after a squirrel.

If you have a small person and you've ever walked an energetic redbone hound, you know how hard it can be to keep just one dog in their place.

Now imagine eight or ten dogs on leashes, and you can see why, if you're a small person, it's important to keep most of your dogs small, as well.

The second thing to keep in mind is not to try to do too much, too soon. Build your client base slowly, until you have an idea of how different dogs react to being walked together.

You may have to walk your dogs in two segments if you find that you have a couple of dogs who can't seem to get along.

Don't try to rush anything with dog walking. Start slowly, and build your way up.

Dog Training Tips

It’s not enough to own a dog; you must have it well trained to be well behaved and do your bidding.

There are basically two ways to go about dog training either you hire a professional or you to do it yourself.

Doing the dog training yourself is really very beneficial, as it provides you with an opportunity to bond well with your dog.

Dog training is not as complex as people think. You just need to know what needs to be done.

Here are some useful dog training tips that will make training your dog a really pleasant experience.

Use Positive Reinforcements

Positive reinforcement works with us, right? We like getting rewarded for doing things right. We get paid to work.

Get promoted when we’ve done what the boss sees as consistently impressive. It’s the same with dogs. Positive reinforcement is all about encouraging your dog to do what you want him to do.

It involves letting the dog have something they want when they do something you want. What do dogs want? Food, toys, special treats will do to encourage the dog to do what you want to be done.

Use Distinct Sounds or Words

Every time your dog does something you like or something you ask him to do, make sure you do more than rewarding him.

Mark such behavior with a distinct sound, you can use a clicker, or with a word. Just saying “yes” could go a long way at times.

The dog will identify the word or the sound with the behavior and over time when you use the word or sound the dog will respond positively.

Be Consistent

In your use of positive reinforcements for dog training, you must make sure you are consistent in reinforcing a behavior with rewards, food, toys, special treats etc. or even praise.

This is important because dogs learn through repetition and consistency.

Don’t Be Emotional

In your dog training efforts make sure you are not emotional. Dogs are very sensitive and they can read you easily.

Be Patient

Patience is vital in dog training. Don’t try and teach the dog too much at a time, take it slow.

Keep it short and try and end each training session on a happy note making sure you reward the dog after each session.

The dog will be looking forward to your training sessions and will work hard at pleasing you.