Page 319 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

EXERCISE

Active life
Dogs with high energy levels need plenty of exercise and
play to stay calm and happy. They need open areas where
they can run freely, especially when they are young.

WALKING AND JOGGING
For his own safety and that of others, your
dog needs to be able to walk calmly on a
leash (see p.326), and once that training is
complete, walking can be done almost
anywhere. Jogging with your dog will help
you both to keep in shape. Remember to
carry biodegradeable bags with you to
collect and dispose of feces.

FREE RUNNING
Running in open spaces is especially good
exercise for high-energy or racing dogs such
as Whippets (see p.128) and Greyhounds (see
p.126). First, in order for you to trust your
dog to run a long distance from you, he needs
to be trained to come reliably when you call him. Agility games such as jumping over where your dog is forced to retaliate, and
him (see p.328). Find a large space such as a and running through obstacles can also be ready to step in to help when required.
field or beach without crowds, and check be lots of fun for your dog. Explain to children that they must not tease
that there is no livestock to disturb. Make a dog because this will upset him and he
sure that you are allowed to let your dog run CHILDREN AND PLAY may bite, and that puppies tire easily and
freely in that area—many urban parks don’t Dogs and children can become the best of must be allowed to sleep if they want to.
allow dogs off leashes in certain places. friends, but they need time to get habituated Dogs do not like to be disturbed while they
To ensure that your dog keeps you in mind to one another. Children can be a bit too are eating, so don’t let children play with or
while he is running around, play a few rough while playing, so all interaction near a dog’s food or water bowl. Only an
games of “hide-and-seek” or “fetch” with should be supervised. Avoid a situation adult should feed a dog.

PLAYTIME

Games allow your dog or puppy to express his toys when asked. If he takes hold of your clothes
natural instincts in a fun way. Puppies that learn to or skin, stop playing immediately and quietly turn
play with other dogs are less likely to be timid or away from him. Never let your dog jump up at
aggressive. Keep sessions short and varied so your people or grab things from them.
dog does not get tired or overexcited. Make sure
you decide when the play session starts and ends— Hide-and-seek
this subtly reinforces your control. Never encourage This game satisfies a dog’s food-seeking instincts.
your dog to chase people—humans should be Hide a bit of food inside a toy, so your dog has to
friends and leaders, never “prey.” scrabble and sniff around to find it. You could also
play with two people: one takes the dog’s “fetch”
Fetch toy and hides with it, while the other holds the dog.
This is an excellent way for your dog to burn off The “hider” calls the dog, and the other person lets
energy. By bringing the toy back to you, the dog the dog go. When the dog finds the hider, this
learns that he will get another chance to chase it— person throws the toy for him. This game is also a
and in the process he learns retrieval skills. Use toys good way to teach your dog to come when called.
rather than sticks—your dog could injure his
mouth by catching or grabbing a stick. Squeaky toys
Toys that squeak are especially appealing to
Tug-of-war chase and catch. Your dog may even try to bite
Use special “tug” toys (see p.306). Make sure you the toy to pieces until it stops squeaking, so be
win more often than the dog does. Remember that ready to take it away from him, because if he finds
all toys are yours—your dog should always give up the squeak inside he runs the risk of choking on it.

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