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Witnessing an incident the other day made me realize that it's important to post this information.
First off, unfortunately, we are never more exciting to our dogs, than the dogs standing next to us in the class line up. If we allow meet and greets before class, especially for new comers in basic training, it will make your job as a handler MUCH more difficult when you are competing for attention with another dog. This is true even when food or toys are invovled (unless you own the high prey/play/food driven dog who shuts out all else but that precious resource when it is around).
Lastly, there are dogs who are very uncomfortable with other dogs in their space. There are also owners who are uncomfortable with other dogs in their space. There are dogs that are too excitable with other dogs in their space. We keep everyone separates for the comfort level of all participants, canine and human.
I always ask my Basic group classes how much exercise owners give their dogs on a daily basis. Many times I am pleasantly surprised with the answers, but not always. When I hear, "he runs around in the backyard for hours", or, "we take her to the dog park" I cringe a bit. Neither is the preferred form of exercise for us here at Smart Dogs Canine Training. I won't get into dog park details, as I will save that for a different post, however, dogs left to entertain themselves, or run themselves silly are not having their energy expended in an appropriate way.
Training and structured walks (incorporating training on walks) are absolutely awesome ways to drain your dogs excess energy and provide exercise at the same time. When we work our dogs mind, along side their bodies, they use up a lot more energy than if we just exercise the body alone. This helps to inject rules into your lifestyle, build a better bond, maintain control, practice obedience, (or what ever type of training you like), and helps to make you the focus for your dog.
Hiking with your dog involves immersing your dog into new situations, new smells, nature and allows your suburban dog to experience the wonderful world beyond the sidewalks and roads. Good for you and good for your dog. Hikes do not have to be structured, but can incorporate the odd obedience command, for example, the recall. Hikes allow your dog just to be a dog for a while, and that is important as well, as long as it is in a controlled situation and their are rules (ie. no running up to other dogs on or off leash, no jumping on passerbys etc.).
She was my best friend, my business partner and my rock. She was my son's best buddy, and just an amazing little dog. She was the main reason that I got into training dogs, not because she was a problem dog, but because I was blown away at the things you could teach a dog and by the things that you could accomplish with one if you put your mind to it.
