Sniffing, lunging and romping around: How to make your dog happy
19.7.2018
Translation: machine translated
He should behave calmly when he is on a lead. He should protect the property from unwanted intruders. And he should fetch well. But is that what your dog really wants?
The focus is on fun
It's all in the mix
In order to get the most out of your furry friend, a mix of sniffing, skill or intelligence tasks and physical activities will help. The intensity and frequency of the individual disciplines can vary depending on the breed and character of the dog
It can also serve as a counterbalance for healing purposes: A hyperactive dog can be calmed by nose and head work, for example. Exercises that encourage the dog to follow can also have an educational effect.
Outload for everyone?
But what does exercise actually mean? Experts speak of effective utilisation when a living being is able to use almost all of its innate and inbred abilities and characteristics. The brain should therefore be challenged and trained in as many areas as possible. As mentioned above, playing alone is not enough - it's the mix that counts.
It's all in the head
Educational training methods also challenge and promote your dog's mental fitness. The rule of thumb is that around 30 minutes of mental exercise per day is enough to keep your pet adequately stimulated without overtaxing them.
Make sure you give your dog time to find the solution himself. Only when he runs away disinterested and loses interest in the toy should you intervene if necessary. The aim of the exercise is for the dog to realise that it has to succeed on its own. Otherwise, he will realise that a desperate look is enough and you will give him his treat - the dog will then train you, so to speak, instead of vice versa.
They have a good nose, these critters
Another activity is the so-called target object search. Here, the dog should learn to find specific objects and indicate them accordingly, for example by barking. It is important that it is always the exact same objects that the dog recognises by their specific smell. This type of exercise is particularly useful when travelling or when you are visiting. Of course, it also works in your own home, because your pet has to learn the whole thing somewhere first.
The "nose work" also helps against anxiety behaviour or panic attacks. The dog is absorbed in the work while looking out for odours and trying to find objects. He then almost completely blocks out his surroundings and can thus avoid conflicts.
Stop, Forrest, stop!
What no dog needs and does no dog any favours in terms of efficient exercise is constant running. No, a dog doesn't need to run around all the time. But: Yes, a dog needs exercise. In this case, however, exercise means that it moves calmly and evenly while it can explore its surroundings. If you force him to run a marathon, he will miss out on a lot of things that are crucial for his development.
Accompanied runs and short sprints are perfectly okay, as is romping around with other dogs. But: The ever-popular "chasing after thrown balls or sticks" is not something a dog would ever do in the wild or on its own initiative. It only builds up pointless stress and is of no use to you or your pet. If your four-legged friend has discovered something that he wants to have or show you, he will get it on his own.
I therefore recommend a longer walk per day (about an hour) at a leisurely pace, with lots of exploring, investigating and sniffing, but not too many environmental stimuli. Ideally (if there are no rules), the dog can move freely or walk on a very loose lead. Added to this are the natural walks and contact with other dogs. And, very importantly, a dog also wants to play with its owner from time to time. It's fun and strengthens the bond between animal and human.
Header image: A properly exercised dog is a happy dog
Raphael Knecht
Senior Editor
raphael.knecht@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I'm not stuffing my face with sweets, you'll catch me running around in the gym hall. I’m a passionate floorball player and coach. On rainy days, I tinker with my homebuilt PCs, robots or other gadgets. Music is always my trusted companion. I also enjoy tackling hilly terrain on my road bike and criss-crossing the country on my cross-country skis.
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