“My dog won’t stop chewing on the furniture!”
“My dog can’t sleep through the night.”
“My dog goes crazy
when we let him outside.”
Any of these sound familiar? People whose pets are apparent
troublemakers can become easily frustrated with these hyperactive habits. But
before you go crazy trying to train
your pooch, ask yourself one question: is your dog getting enough exercise?
In a recent Petside.com
blog, author Julie Seguss discusses the signs that could indicate that your
dog needs more regular activity. It’s not just a dog being overweight, these
signs include a lot of difficult behaviors like constant barking, destructive
chewing, hyperactivity, lack of focus, leash pulling and trouble sleeping. Your
dog may be doing more than intentionally causing trouble; he may be trying to
tell you that he needs more exercise.
Although these behaviors are common in many dogs, especially
puppies, if your dog exhibits one or more of these behaviors regularly, it may
be because he is trying to get out excess energy. Try giving your dog some
extra exercise and see if the behavior subsides.
The next question is: what kind of exercise? The answer
depends on your dog’s regular activity. In most cases, leash walking is not
enough to burn off your dog’s excess energy. Off-leash activities like playing
fetch in a fenced-in backyard are more likely to satisfy your dog’s need to do
something active. Training can also be an energy-expending activity, but your
dog probably prefers to have some playtime as well. No one likes all work and
no play!
Once your dog is tuckered out, you may look for him to fall
asleep as a sign of a good workout. However, the most active times for dogs are
dawn and dusk, so don’t be alarmed if your pup isn't ready for bed after an
evening play session. Dogs are more inclined to nap during the afternoon; so
alternatively, a pooch who seems tired at noon isn't necessarily getting enough
exercise just because he is sleepy. If you get excited to play, he is sure to
follow suit!
Adding activity to your dog’s routine may help put a stop to
those pesky behaviors, and help get your dog in shape for the spring season.
From April 15 – 19, Morris Animal Inn is hosting a Spring Training Fit Camp for
energetic dogs or even pooches looking to lose a few pounds. The week is
complete with base running, aqua warm-ups, group play batting practice,
treadmill training and homemade All-Star protein bars. Call 973-539-0377 to
book your dog a spot in the line-up today!
