Many dog owners are unaware that pups are sensitive to stressful situations and often feel anxiety. Young and old dogs alike will exhibit indicators that they are in need of exercise and a routine to help alleviate their stress. Destructive behaviors such as accidents in the house, barking, chewing, and irritability may be signs that your dog requires more routine in his or her life.
Early Training
Dogs enjoy having a purpose. In fact, many dog breeds were specifically bred to perform a job, such as hunting or herding other animals. As such, depending on the type of dog you have, your dog may feel anxiety or stress due to boredom or lack of having a “job” to do. A great way to help with this problem is to enroll your dog (and yourself!) in obedience classes. Working with your dog as a team to perform tricks and obey commands can help your overall communication and relationship. Training your furry friend also helps keep their mind sharp and healthy while also making them feel as if they are fulfilling a purpose.
Scheduled Dog Walks
For some people, going to the gym every day is how they relieve stress. Your dog may be exhibiting unruly behavior to communicate that they are in need of a similar exercise routine! Dogs are happiest when they have a regular routine with some variety mixed in, and one of the best ways to establish this is through scheduled walks and daily exercise. This can help your puppy stay consistently happy and healthy.
For pet owners who work during the day, scheduling a consistent walking or training routine may be difficult. Fortunately, at Walk! ATX, our experienced and caring trainers and dog walkers are able to keep your pet exercised and happy through our individualized programs specialized to meet your and your pup’s unique needs. Call us today at (512) 655-9557 for more information on the pet services we offer!
Most dog owners understand how important it is for their dog to receive regular physical exercise, but for many dog breeds, regular mental exercise and stimulation is just as important. Especially for working breeds and highly intelligent dogs, a good mental workout is essential to the dog’s overall happiness and well being. In fact, a lack of mental stimulation is actually one of the main causes of behavior problems in dogs, so if you have a pup that is destructive or acting out, making sure that he or she is mentally active could be a great way to control some undesirable behaviors.
There are a number of different things you can do to make sure your dog is getting the proper mental exercise. One popular option for athletic and working breeds is agility training. Agility training gives you the opportunity to work with your dog and teach him or her to complete a number of different agility tasks, such as climbing up and over an A-frame structure, running through tubes and tunnels, and other physical challenges that will also provide great mental stimulation. Another option for owners looking to exercise their dogs’ minds is obedience training. Obedience training is a great way for owners to bond with their dogs, and in addition to providing great mental stimulation, it can also help establish important boundaries and commands that will benefit you and your dog in a variety of situations.
At Walk! ATX, we are happy to offer obedience training so that your pup can get the mental stimulation he or she needs. We can provide you with all the skills you and your dog need to be successful, so contact us today at (512) 655-9557 and find out more about the obedience training services we offer!