Aug 20 2010
7 Recommendations For Stopping A Dog’s Excessive Barking
Dog behavior is sometimes a consequence of our behavior when interacting with the dog. Beyond the elementary needs of food, water and shelter, a dog needs social dealings, positive attention from his owner, physical activity and mental stimulation. Many of these additional requirements can be fulfilled by merely taking your dog for a walk. Walking your dog daily provides him with the attention from you that he needs. Perhaps more than anything, our dogs simply want our company. Even when you stay at home throughout the day, a lot of your time is spent doing chores instead of interacting with your family dog. When going for a walk, take along a plastic bag or similar container and be certain to pick up after your dog.
A walk allows you to reinforce obedience skills with your dog to improve the reliability of training. Going over the basic commands in addition increases the benefits of a walk since your dog isn’t just ambling along, but is also performing extra tasks. Walking your dog keeps him mentally alert through territorial inspection. With nose to the ground and attentive to the sights and sounds of his surroundings, your dog gathers clues about how his territory has been altered since the last outing.
Along with the emotional advantages, there are tangible benefits. Walking your dog can be the best method to exercise a dog that may not be very active in your home or even in your yard. Aging pets must be kept as agile and fit as possible. However, your dog may not be disposed to exercise without some encouragement. Even if your pet is active in your backyard, it’s definitely more active during a walk. Merely sharing an activity with you is one of your dog’s greatest motivations to exercise.
If you encounter another dog or person during your walk, your dog has the chance to socialize. Studies of dog behavior show that dogs are social animals. It is only natural for them to investigate new individuals. Puppies ought to be encouraged, at an early age, to appropriately greet and interact with other dogs and people while away from home. These friendly encounters help the puppy learn to behave appropriately when encountering visitors to your home, or when he is with you anywhere else. If a dog does not have to socialize, it will not understand how to interact appropriately with other people or dogs.
Taking your dog for a walk is among the the simplest means to avert behavior problems. At least one walk each day will help avert elimination issues, destructiveness, separation anxiety and similar general behavior disorders. Take your dog for a walk soon after each meal, as this is the time it is most likely to urinate or defecate, and you’ll be able to direct your dog to an appropriate location. Praise must be given immediately to be effective. If you merely let your dog go out within the yard, you forfeit an excellent chance to strengthen good behavior.
Permitting your pet to wander freely is dangerous both to your dog and to other pets and people. It also gives the unsupervised dog freedom to regress to unacceptable wild behavior. Your dog’s life could depend on his listening to your warnings. Not permitting certain activity can’t be viewed as unkind in view of the possible consequences.
