WALKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have you ever considered how you exercise your dog? Do you have different walk types for different days? Do you use the time to interact and train? So many people have limited time in the week and either drag their dogs out on route march around the block or take them to a grass area and throw a ball with a flinger - no judgement we have all done it 😊. The guilt that is involved when you don’t have time sometimes is just horrible.
Owning a dog should not be a chore, it should be fun and the time you spend together surely should be enriching for both of you. As you may know I have two adopted dogs, they are both working breeds (Mila - collie x and Rupert podenco x) they are both Naughty but Nice (term used by Absolute Dogs) and I was convinced that they needed a lot of walking, twice a day at least an hour of off lead running. Exhausting right! I work full time, I have two dogs, two cats, one horse and house to look after as well as studying in my spare time. The guilt I felt when I couldn’t fit this in was immense, my dogs became fitter and spent a lot of time running around me, often disappearing off, I considered myself a competent dog owner but I lost confidence in my abilities and generally walks were no longer a pleasure. I then starting studying dog behaviour and enrolled in the Victoria Stillwell Academy (and passed with distinction in case I haven’t mentioned it) and boy what an eye opener. I started working with experienced trainers, learnt, absorbed and put in to practice everything I had been taught. I also enrolled in the absolute dogs Pro dog trainer course where I learnt about games, concepts training, turning struggles into strengths and completely turned around how I interacted with my dogs, how I walked my dogs which in turn I will share with you.
Different walk types. Depending on the time I have or maybe even the weather I will change what I do with my dogs.
Sniffing walks – these are typically around the roads (I lucky were I live is very quiet) and the canal, it is mostly on lead but there are areas where they get off lead time. We use the opportunity to practice loose lead walking, and then in suitable areas I give them a ‘go sniff’ cue where they are on a longer lead (still not acceptable to pull me) and I allow them to sniff a grass verges, hedgerow, lampposts and I wait patiently whilst they do so. This is important to give them time to sniff and not drag them away, dogs love to sniff, they have amazing noses and get a lot of information but when I want to get somewhere (and maybe it is not appropriate for them to sniff) I want them to walk with me, not drag me to every interesting piece of grass, so I am clear. ‘with me’ means walk by my side and ‘go sniff’ means, well just that! They really enjoy these walks, they are low key, calming, and of a variety of lengths. It is worth noting that even when they are off lead, they are still choosing to stay close to me, sniffing, investigating the environment and enjoying the walk. We practice games such as ‘middle’, ‘proximity vortex’, touch (we only do what they choose to do if they don’t want to do it they just wander off to sniff and that is fine) all of this engages them and strengthens our relationship.
High energy walks – these are off lead, woodland walks again they are anything from 20minutes on busy days to an hour when time allows. They are allowed to rummage in the undergrowth, sniff, run and be dogs. But again, they still choose to interact with me throughout. I play games, proximity vortex, we practice re-call, we use tree stumps and benches to do ‘paws up’, touch tennis, ‘funder pants are go’ (great game) and so many more. I use their dinner allowance as treats, they work for their food and have extra special awesome treats (Cheese, Rupert loves cheese 😊) for those who come straight back when they are called Mila usually gets cheese, Rupert is a sighthound so sometimes to world is just to interesting to come straight back and he has to do a loop but still he comes back – I promise you (those that have lurchers/sighthounds will understand) this is a big win for me and my mad podenco boy!
Rainy days, winter evenings or busy days when walks are shorter, we do brain games at home. Mousy game, boundary games, target training both nose and paw, using platforms and simple obedience exercises. Easy games that you can do in your front room, with minimal equipment mostly just a clicker and their dinner allowance which tires them out, and means that you do not have to spend hours out in rain.
If you train with bark-ology you will learn the power of games, the power of positive training and learning principles that will help you build a better relationship with your dog. Which I am sure is something every dog owner strives for. My classes are for anyone who has a dog, everyone is welcome just bring enthusiasm, a willingness to learn and a dog (this is essential!) and I will do the rest. Dog training should be fun, your relationship with your dog need not be frustrating, be brave, take the leap and come and join us at Bark-ology. Karen
For more information or to book into any of my classes please check out my website or contact me by email info@bark-ology.co.uk or call 07817241120
