Play!
Part Two of our series on meeting all of our dogs needs. For Part One on Exercise, please see my previous post.
Play time, both with humans and other dogs (depending on your dogs preference) is such an important part of their natural behaviour, keeps them mentally and physically fit, and helps decrease behavioural issues. Puppy play is also an important part of learning bite inhibition. Games such as tug, wrestling, fetch, and chase, are all excellent options and you may find that your dogs have a strong preference of one over another.
It is a myth that games like tug create a dominance imbalance, however we do need to make sure that we teach our dogs the “rules of tug” prior to engaging in play. This means teaching the cues for “Give” and “Take” and having them be reliable under high stimulation.
For more information:
Starkdogtraining.ca
[email protected]
Exercise
I’ve been talking a lot the past couple weeks both through my platform and with clients about making sure that you’re meeting all of your dogs needs. You can scroll back through those posts to get an overview, but over the next little while I am going to delve deeper into some of them.
Today I’m going to touch on Exercise.
Exercise requirements for each of our dogs are different. Their requirements vary by age, breed, breed lines (show vs field), fitness, weight etc.
Both of my dogs are fit, young, working line breeds (Sig is a field Labrador, and Aspen is a sport dog mix from two working line parents - a border collie and a golden retriever). This means that their requirements for exercise may be higher than your dogs. Based on their age they are able to do longer runs, hikes as well as decompression walks. We do off leash hikes/ walks/ runs 3-4 times a week mixed with leash walks, training, and rest days.
Off leash (or long-line if you’re still working on recall or in on-leash areas) walks are very important for our dogs both for exercise as well as decompression (I will do a whole post on decompression walks). Preferably, somewhere our dogs can be safely in nature and go at their own pace.
Please talk to your vet about the amount of exercise your dog or puppy is able to get (puppies growth plates don’t close until 18-24ish months old), and always go at your dogs pace.
This video shows Sig running along on a bike ride. Sig LIVES to run. It’s his favourite thing to do. He is out front 90% of the time, takes frequent breaks for water, and changes his pace both to match me (because hills are hard) and to suit what he needs in that moment.
For more information:
Starkdogtraining.ca
[email protected]
Updated Service Area
I’m very excited to announce that I am
Now offering services in Duncan and the Cowichan Valley!
This move is very exciting for me as I am from the Cowichan Valley and am finally in a position to give back to our community here!
I still teach and train in the Westshore so my current clients don’t need to worry but I will be offering select days in the Cowichan Valley so please get in touch to book your sessions and consults.
I am currently booking one week out but am able to accommodate emergency needs on a case-by-case basis.
For more information:
Starkdogtraining.ca
[email protected]
