my dogs

[Beekissed]

My digger gets daily exercise several times a day when the younger dog forces her to play! She also has a very, very large yard in which to run, cows to bark at, territory to guard and mark....but she still manages to dig holes. She gets socialization with the whole family each day, with the chickens, cat and another dog all day....but she still digs. She has things to do all day if she wishes....but she will dig. Sometimes thats just the "exercise" she wants apparently!

 

[mfranti]

Quote:
it's not about intelligence. it's about exercise and training.

consistency in both.

i couldn't understand your first para. the lab (the digging dog) hates to move? and is inside about 90% of the day? she's not crated during the day? and isn't very bright?

correct me if i read that wrong.

crate the lab, walk her at least! 30 minutes a day and spend some time making it known that you(and your family) are her pack leaders. this will take time and a ton of patience but animals like that are so worth it.

consider how much time you give to chooks. now give that to your doggies.

best. animals.ever

(sorry chicken lovers)

 

[mfranti]

Quote:
exercise by playing in the yard and or spending time w/ family isn't the same as walking/running your dog.

there's a psychological compent missing from play that only comes from a structured walk.

dogs are pack animals. they follow the lead dog. the look to the lead dog to tell them when to eat, walk, play. that's your role

so when you walk (not let the dog drag you) your dog, he's mimicking a hardwired, natural behavior...following the lead dog.

if you guys like i will shut up now...

just know that i'm speaking of training, not just "exercise"

 

[texasreb]

mfranti,

I think your information is "spot on." Don't stop. There is a big difference between "training" "playing with" and "being with" your dog. All three are important.

Training reinforces the human as the pack leader and stimulates the dog's mind. Thinking and problem solving tires a dog out, just like it does a human.

Playing with your dog allows your dog to expend a lot of energy doing what s/he loves to do (run around and be with the human). This also makes the doggie tired.

Being with the dog is spending time with it without necessarily engaging in play or training. This is bonding time and as such is important but it doesn't expend a lot of energy.

As pack leader the human controls all of these areas of their dog's life. Other areas that are controlled by the pack leader include eating, sleeping and grooming and as such the pack leader (human) needs to start and finish all of these activities.

 

[texasreb]

The end result of active daily control of all areas of a dogs life is a tired, content and well-behaved dog.

By active I mean you've got to do these things on a daily basis. Train it, play with it, hang out with it, groom it, feed it and tell it when and where to sleep. It's that hard and that simple.

 

[mfranti]

texasreb,

thanks for the kind words. i just got back from dinner and i worried during the meal that i came across with an unkind tone (i'm a trained blogger, i see it all the time)

it was not my intent.

i love dogs. and it's very important to me that people understand their pet's "naughty" behaviors

good luck all.

 

[mfranti]

It's that hard and that simple.

amen!​

 

[Nugget]

Without reading all the responses I will tell you what I read, tried and what worked with my terrier.

I read to shovel some of the dog's own poo into each hole. They don't want to dig in their own poo and lose interest in digging.

Worked for my airedale.

 

[gaited horse]

texasreb i spend at least 12 hours a day with them

 

[gaited horse]

couldn't understand your first para. the lab wiem x (the digging dog) hates to move?yes he hates to exercise and is inside about 90% of the day? correct he's not crated during the day? why should he be and isn't very bright?correct come and see how clueless he is

correct me if i read that wrong.

crate the lab, walk him at least! 30 minutes a day and spend some time making it known that you(and your family) are her pack leaders. this will take time and a ton of patience but animals like that are so worth it.
they both dig they both know i am the pack leader they both are well trained you should come to my house and see how well they behave. the most time they are outside at a time at once alone is a half hour. these dogs have more time with me then you spend with your kids.