What Makes a Happy Dog?: Physical and Mental Exercise

Live Holistically is a multi-author site.
This post was written by: Gailstrail

Good Physical and Mental Exercise is essential for a Happy canine. Our canines live in our world under restraints most of the time. Many humans put their furry friend in a fence and think that’s all they need. I have a friend who tells me that her next door neighbor puts the dogs out in the morning and that’s their exercise. She says they bark a lot. This is a common mistake many humans make.

The majority of our furry friends are a little more lucky. They get to go on walks on a leash. This is a very good thing; a dog needs at least an hour of strenuous play or running. The breed will you have will dictate how much exercise they need. Also, if when you get home he/she is still bouncing off the walls, you can figure he/she didn’t get enough.

If you can run, walk, roller blade or bike with them everyday, you will notice a happy and well behaved companion! If there is not a place conducive to doing these activities, create games in the back yard; frisby, fetch the ball, agility course. If you can find a safe place where your furry friend can run free with no restraints, that’s the best!

I saw Ceaser Melan (Dog Whisperer), put a dog on a treadmill! Wow! What a site. The dog was running along at a pretty fast clip and seemed to be enjoying herself. I saw Ceaser roller blading with his pack. If your pouch is restricted to a fenced back yard, don’t make the mistake of thinking that’s all he/she needs. It’s not enough. They need you to take time (make time, put the time into your schedule) everyday to play games with them. These angel beasts need physically and mentally stimulation on a daily basis. I’ll repeat this. Our canine friends need physical and mental exercise on a daily basis!

• Stuff toys with food, cookies, peanut butter; a puzzle ball or Intellitoys.

• Change their toys regularly…their much like children and want new ways to play.

• Play stimulating games; Hide the Cookie. Just a matter of confining your dog to one part of the house and hiding bits of cookies everywhere (where it’s OK and safe for his/her nose). Then release him/her and say ‘find the cookie’.

The above link will give you more detailed description of games you can play to keep your furry friend happy and well exercised.

Now get out there and have some fun!

Happy Trails!