Every human being and animal needs to remain active. It isn’t a choice; it is important for our physical and mental wellbeing. Being active means keeping your mind and body in a state of constant activity over consistent periods to make sure it doesn’t get too lazy.
As humans, we often hear people talking about different ways to keep themselves occupied to avoid laziness. Some people take up a hobby, some start working out, and others even take up more work so that they don’t have any time they could waste.
Now, this isn’t always the right way to go. Just because you want to keep yourself occupied doesn’t mean you spread yourself too thin. You need to make sure you find a balance between work and play to get the required amount of activity and rest.
Don’t let them get lazy
Similar to us humans, dogs also need to be kept active. Under no circumstance is it ok for a dog to become lazy, especially since almost all breeds of dogs are extremely energetic. Unlike humans, who use their power for many different tasks, dogs have very few things for which they use their energy. As a result, they always have a lot of energy inside them.
As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to ensure your dog isn’t getting too lazy. The reason is simple: a lazy dog is at risk of getting sick, or worse, developing life-threatening diseases. You need to make sure your dog is always kept as active as the breed needs to be. This does not necessarily mean every day needs to have something planned, but it needs to be regular enough for your dog to stay in good shape.
Before we proceed, there is one very important thing to keep in mind. You know the life that you live. You are fully aware of your commitments, how much time you have for work, and how much time you have for your dog. When deciding what breed you are getting for yourself, you need to make sure you get the dog that meets your lifestyle.
Some dog breeds like German Shepherds and Rottweiler’s need to exercise several hours a day to stay healthy. Other breeds like pugs or bulldogs do not require as much. This depends on various factors, so you need to make sure you are getting the right breed. If you don’t give the animal the activity it requires, you doing it all wrong.
When taking care of your dog, here is what you need to do to make sure it doesn’t get too lazy,
Keep Your Dog Physically Active.
Regardless of your breed, you must make it a point to ensure that your dog is physically active. This goes without saying because it is important to ensure your dog regularly stretches its muscles, works its joints, and has fresh air pumping through its lungs.
Different breeds need different amounts of exercise. If you are unsure how much exercise your dog breed needs, you can always talk to your vet. A small terrier might be happy with a stroll around the block. On the other hand, a Doberman will need more than this.
Try to have variation in the physical activity that your dog does. Walking might be the standard, but it is not enough. If you want your dog to be more active, try a more demanding exercise like playing fetch, chasing a flying disc, or anything that will have them run freely.
Try To Keep Your Dogs Mind Working
Many owners often don’t even know that this is a thing. Try to incorporate more interactive games into your dog’s regime. A simple game like hide and seek can help stimulate your dog’s mind by making them use their senses to locate you. This helps them stick to their ancestral roots while also strengthening the bond with their owners.
Moving forward, make sure your dog has a variety of different toys to play with when they want. Try to rotate their selection to keep them more interested in the toys. Make your dog work for their food in ways that can help them develop problem-solving skills.
For example, you can hide your dog’s treats under a bunch of toys and then make them locate the food under it. This can train them to discover things that might not be in plain sight.
Teach Your Dog Tricks
When you teach your dog different tricks, not only are you raising a more disciplined animal, but you are also helping to stimulate their mind and body. You are also teaching them to behave in different settings and how they need to respond in different situations.
Teaching them tricks is a way to teach them obedience. If you struggle to train your dog on your own, you can always hire a trainer.
By training your dog, you give them different skills to learn; you are making it possible for them to be more socially acceptable. There are other ways to train your dog, so make sure you research to find the best fit for yourself.
Socialize Your Dog
When your dog is young, you need to make sure they are trained to be around other animals. They need to be taught how to interact with other animals and their social surroundings. This is not only limited to puppies but also applies to adult dogs.
By socializing your dog, you can give them the confidence they need to make sure they aren’t antisocial or lash out if they see another animal. You can start by walking around the neighborhood to see if other dog owners want to socialize their dogs as well. If not, you can take your dog to a dog-friendly park where there are other dogs to play with when they want.
The first time you go, make sure your dog is on a leash because you still do not know how it will respond the first time. If you are taking an adult dog for the first time, keep a muzzle handy if you are unsure how it will behave. The last thing you want is for your dog to bite another.
Also, keep an eye out for other dogs there because your dog might be friendly, but others might not.
By Bobby J. Davidson
I am passionate about our companies and truly enjoy the work we do. To learn more about the Davidson Family of Companies, please visit www.bobbydavidson.com/about. Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter located at the bottom of this page for updates and insights.