A Tired Dog is a Happy Dog!
Medical experts describe exercise, for us humans, as “free medicine”. The same is true for our canine companions! Now you might think, “Well, we have a fenced-in yard, so my dog gets plenty of exercise.” But do they? There’s an analogy we like to share: “If you lived in a gym, do you think you’d exercise?” In reality, even the most docile of dogs is susceptible to “fence aggression” simply because they get frustrated at not being able to investigate whatever is on the other side of that fence. Unfortunately, running along a fence line doesn’t drain away pent-up stress energy; on the contrary, the frustration only adds to the anxiety that’s already built up as a result of not getting a walk or structured play.
Negative stress energy is definitely a problem for all dog owners. Thankfully, we at Walkin-n-Waggin are here to provide a solution: Depending on the age, size, and breed of your pup, we will work with you (and with respect to your budget) to determine the optimal duration (15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes) that fits best with the form of exercise that best suits your pup: A brisk walk, a heart-pumping jaunt, an off the-beaten-path hike; or, for those retrievers out there, an exhaustive game of fetch!
Here are a few examples of issues we’ve managed to solve via walks with our clients ...
- They have a lot of energy but nothing to do with it. Is your pup anxious, destructive, bored, or simply not a good listener? These are signs that he/she needs a productive release of negative, pent-up energy. Tailing it like it is: “Brandy”, a young German Shepherd, was NOT good on a leash when we first began our walks as she was prone to pulling and demanding that she lead the walk. She also exhibited a lack of respect for anyone’s personal space, including ours. Having a dog lead the way in a human world can be problematic; so, not surprisingly, on our early walks, Brandy would often lunge at almost any distraction, be it a passing vehicle, someone else’s pet, or even other pedestrians. Obviously, this was not a tenable situation; however, after a month or so of walking with our trained professionals, we can now happily report that Ms. Brandy walks calmly by our side, ignoring whatever distraction may come our way.
- It’s good for their confidence. Is your pet shy, timid or aggressive in certain situations? Another client of ours, “Lola”, has been walking with members of our team for over six years. When we first met Lola, she was terrified whenever anyone arrived. She would look up, see that we were not “mom”, and retreat to a back room, so nervous that sometimes give a submissive “tinkle”. Fast forward to today, Lola is thrilled to see us when we arrive as she knows that she can finally read any new “pmails” that have been left along our route. Lola loves her walks so much that she doesn’t want our walk to end. Lola’s newfound confidence brings all of us job satisfaction knowing that we’ve done our small part to make her life a little bit richer. (-:
- They like routine. Dogs don’t conceptualize time the way we do; however, if we’re a minute late in feeding our pup, “Snoopy” after his afternoon walk, is quick to remind us with a bark or three that it’s dinner time! Adding a walk to your pet’s daily schedule, especially before feeding time, will give them something to look forward to. They appreciate the many scents, be it squirrel, bunny, or neighboring canine, breathe in the fresh air, and soak in the Vitamin D. (Yes, dogs also produce Vitamin D through sun exposure!)
We hope we’ve shown why a tired dog is a happy dog. So, whether your pup needs Daily Walks or Pet Sitting while you’re away, we GUARANTEE that our committed, bonded, and insured Pet Care Pros at Walkin – n – Waggin will get your pup where they need to be: Refreshed, relaxed, and ready for a nap!