A few weeks back Lindsay composed about exactly how to tire out an energetic dog.
When we were in the process of adopting Baxter, the situation she explained was the life I visualized (although I did hope it wouldn’t be rather so frenetic).
My other half as well as I dedicated to two walks a day. I checked out up on food puzzles as well as purchased a stock of Kongs. I was thrilled to begin running again.
And then Baxter came home.
Running was a no-go best from the start. two walks a day were fine, however they had much better be leisurely. The very first time my other half walked Bax, our new canine walked into the ditch as well as laid down. Kongs were just as well much work. as well as besides, food wasn’t all that interesting.
Over our five years together, we’ve come to comprehend each other, as well as I appreciate my lazy canine so, so much. But, I do have a dog, not a pet rock, as well as I like to be outside as well as active.
So right here are my suggestions for motivating a low energy dog
1. comprehend your dog’s activity needs.
We rapidly discovered that Baxter didn’t requirement a great deal of stimulation in his life.
He wasn’t hyper or destructive or bored. He was happiest in his bed asleep.
In fact, as well numerous people as well as as well much activity is as well much for him. If my canine removes himself from a circumstance as well as discovers a area to lie down, I respect that.
2. try all the toys.
Baxter didn’t truly comprehend toys when he very first concerned online with us. Balls, Frisbees, ropes… no say thanks to you.
Eventually, he discovered to play with soft stuffed toys with squeakers. My other half or I would capture the squeaker to get Bax’s interest as well as get him (a bit) excited. then we’d toss the toy as well as Baxter would bound after it. Now, when we come home, he shows his delight by providing us with a toy to throw—for about three tosses.
3. respect your dog’s stopping point.
When Baxter is finished with fetch, he’ll take his stuffie as well as go lie down in his bed. He may chew on his toy to hear a few squeaks a few much more times, however typically he’s had enough. It’s not pleasurable to get him as much as play much more fetch.
There are great deals of times where the stuffed animal has sailed across the living space one as well numerous times only to be left all by himself as Baxter heads to bed.
4. Train in little doses.
As with play, we are attentive to Baxter’s limits as well as limit training to short sessions that are fun for both of us.
When we were doing classes with Baxter, there was one exercise where our fitness instructor had us get our dogs to hop onto a concrete retaining wall, as well as then we guided them as they walked along the wall. The exercise was about trust, agility as well as confidence.
Baxter might not have been less thinking about jumping onto the wall, let alone walking along it. He wasn’t scared. He just didn’t see the point. Our fitness instructor dealt with us to coax him up, however Bax hopped off after a few steps. We tried a couple much more times, however she cautioned us about pushing him as well far since she was concerned he would shut down on the class entirely.
There’s a fine line between earning your dog’s respect as well as earning his dislike.
5. have an activity routine.
Baxter understands he’s going for a walk every morning as well as every afternoon. as well as he likes his walks. As walk time approaches, he’ll get up or begin to view for a indication I’m prepared to go outside.
Before I was working from house for myself, our morning walks started at 6am—way as well early for Baxter. There were great deals of mornings where I was sticking my hands beneath him, trying to pry him out of his bed. Or when I had him up, he’d try to slip behind me as well as go back to bed.
Now that I’m not commuting, we can wait up until the sun comes as much as walk, as well as as soon as he hears the jingle of keys, he’s prepared to go.
6. Play when your canine wishes to play.
It’s simple to get hectic or caught up in our own lives. If Baxter gets a toy, or his stick, or shows indications of wanting to go outside, I try to respond to that. He asks for extremely little, as well as walking as well as playing provides both of us joy, so I try to take advantage of his energetic moments.
7. discover activities that are fascinating for your dog.
Baxter likes off leash hiking. It provides him a possibility to sniff all the smells as well as typically satisfy other dogs. On group hikes, he greets every person with howls since he’s so thrilled to be there. Our hikes are an hour to two hours.
For a low energy dog, a two-hour hike is a great deal of activity. On hike days, he will not be thinking about a second walk, as well as he typically refuses to walk as well far for the next few days. Baxter likewise likes cars and truck rides, shopping, fetching his stick as well as sunbathing.
8. Do things you both enjoy.
Maybe I don’t get to go running with my dog, however Baxter’s like of the outdoors as well as sunbeams has motivated me to spend much more time sitting in a yard chair with a book. It’s a beautiful camaraderie to just be together.
I mainly feel blessed that I have a extremely lazy dog. It makes our lives extremely relaxed. In between all of our napping, we’ve been fortunate to discover the activities that work for us as well as that all of us enjoy.
Does anybody else have a low energy dog?
What are your suggestions for motivating your dog? What activities do you like to do together?
Julia Thomson is a blog writer at Home on 129 Acres where she composes about her adventures of country living as well as diy renovating. She composes on a regular basis for That Mutt.