When we domesticated dogs we assumed the responsibility of giving them an environment in which they can flourish. Dogs have been modified from wild animals to living in a more limited existence in which we humans are sometimes the only entertainment. Your dog wants to be a part of everything you do because you are his family group. He is built to function in a group.
If you think of a day in the life of wild canids, you can see that their natural environment is much more stimulating than our living room can be. What can dog owners do to meet all of our dogs needs for their best life?
There are two ways that you can help: Environmental Enrichment and Exercise. All animals in a limited environment need environmental enrichment and exercise whether they live in a zoo, shelter or our home.
We can enhance our dog’s daily atmosphere by thinking of life through his eyes. A wild environment is full of sights, movement, smells and sounds. Also worth noting that a wild dog would also have a den or safe place where she would retreat.
Having a crate available is not cruel and should be a part of every puppy’s training. If you maximize his instinct that it is his safe house, he will learn to feel calm and safe when crated and let’s face it, there WILL be times when it is safer for him to be restrained. It is not at odds with the idea of enrichment and exercise to have a crate. It does mean that you will need to prioritize the other aspects of his environment. If he must be crated for extended periods, double your efforts to enrich him when you can.
Puzzle toys that encourage the dog to think in order to get a food reward are wonderful for entertainment and diet control. You get to decide how much food or treats he gets and he has to outwit the toy. Toys that require chasing and apprehending the food reward are great to stimulate mind and body. Placing a desirable toy into the crate will make it even better. Try to reserve the special treat only for use at this time.
Regular exercise is one of the most important features in a dog’s day. It is not enough that he has a fenced in yard to play. He wants to play with you. Go for a quick walk or play fetch every day. Train your dog simple tricks with healthy treats. Pleasing you makes her day.
Some dogs are at a greater risk for chronic behavioral problems, anxiety or frustration than others and can benefit even more from purposeful environmental enrichment and scheduled exercise activities.
Environment enrichment and exercise satisfy an animal’s physical and psychological needs. They can reduce stress and promote overall well-being by increasing an animal’s perception of control over their environment and by occupying their time. A tired dog is a good dog and making sure your dog is happy is very satisfying for dog lovers.
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