Discipline + Mental Exercise = Calmer Dog

Dogs need mental exercise, just like we humans do. They can learn new tricks, practice obedience, play challenging games or run agility courses, and it exercises their minds. Just like us, this will aid in draining their excess energy which creates a calmer, more enjoyable dog and companion.

Here's a few learning activities to try with your dog, and you'll see. He'll calm down better with a daily mental workout. Have you got some games you'd like to share with us. I'll post your ideas, if you'll send me a comment in the link below. It's really easy. Just click the link and a box will pop up for you to type your comments in. Go for it!

Exercising Your Dog on a Rainy Day

There's nothing more torturous than a house full of pups who are itching to get some playtime in. Thank goodness we now have large, climate-controlled dog superstores that allow us to walk around with our dogs inside. More than a few times I have used my local Petsmart for that very purpose. They probably thought I was lost, circling the store so many times, but it did serve its purpose to let the dogs get some OUT time.

Since then I've rediscovered the laser pointer, a great playtime tool. Pick a spot where there is plenty of distance for your dog to run back and forth. Then get his attention on the red dot and start moving it slowly. Most dogs will try to pounce on it. At this point you've got his attention and you can start moving it fast across the floor and even over objects that you don't mind the dog going over. It's a great tool for not only physical, but also mental exercise. Just don't let him catch and "hold" the dot or he may lose interest.

When you get tired of playing this game, try putting the light in the dog's toy basket, and hopefully he'll get interested in another toy. Sometimes that works for Oliver.

Other indoor games such as hide and seek are fun to play with your dog. Put them in a stay. Hide and then call them. How long does it take for them to sniff you out? If it's a long wait, you might try holding a smelly treat: cheese or something with a flavorful smell will usually do the trick. I have a copy of the book shown below. It has tons of great ideas for indoor games:

There's also the proactive approach. Check the local weather report each day. If rain is forecast for the whole day tomorrow, you might want to get a head start and give the gang some extra exercise today. Tough times take tough measures. It does work, though, from my experience.

Your last resort is to use the walk time for training indoors. An intense training session will tire out your dog's mind, which has the same effect on his body by bedtime. You can practice Sit-Stays, Down-Stays, Come, Leave It, Take It, Drop It, and lots of other commands--all inside--and keep it fresh by using different treats and toys for each exercise. Just keep the exercises short and spread them throughout the day. Even dogs get tired with too much stimulation, and then they loose focus.

Today is Woofing Wednesday at my other blog, Organic Journey Online. My post there was inspired by a young lady who has done much to help the homeless dogs in our area. Hope you'll check it out and see my Woofing Wednesday dog photo, while you're there.

What works for your dog? I'd love to hear from you. Leave me a comment at the link below this post.

Guidelines for First Time Dog Park Visits

Dog Park Visits are Great Times to

Play with "The Gang"

Dog Parks have become all the rage throughout the United States. Particularly for those of us in urban or suburban areas where there are precious few places a dog can get a good romp off-leash. It's good for them to be able to socialize with other dogs and run unencumbered by restraints--fences, walls, leashes; they need to be free to run occasionally.

The reality is that this freedom comes with a risk and a price. Even dog parks have fences, placed to protect their visitors from running into the street or disappearing altogether. The difference is that the park is a larger area for running, and the opportunity to socialize with other dogs is available. This is a necessary component to their lifestyle, as dogs in the wild are historically social pack animals.

When I arrive at the dog park, my dogs now know where we are going, well before we pull into the parking lot. Their excitement is palpable, with their heavier breathing, whining to get out of the car, and growing activity level in the back of the car. When I get out, I wait until everyone is calmly waiting in the car. Sometimes it takes a few minutes, but it is safer this way and they get the message: "You don't get to go to the park until you calm down."

When I open the door to leash everyone up, I have 3 eager faces looking out. The calmest dog is leashed and allowed to hop out first. That's his reward for controlling his excitement. And so it goes with the other two.

Tanner and Me at the West Orange Dog Park 

Walking to the gate should be an exercise of discipline. If it takes 30 minutes to get to the gate, they will remember that next time and manage their excitement better. When your dog(s) shows signs of excitement, have him sit until he calms down. Then proceed. Using this procedure will soon teach your pup that he doesn't get to go inside until he can exhibit proper manners. You should be leading him inside, not the other way around. If Fido is pulling you, you're letting him be in charge. That attitude will eventually trickle into everything else that involves your dog. You don't want that. So make sure he knows you are in charge.



At the gate, have your dog sit and calm himself, before entering. If your dog has never been to a dog park, keep the leash on for a while and gauge his readiness for friendly behavior. Your dog should be willing to allow others to sniff his backside. This is a friendly hello, which should be accepted with no concern. Likewise, your dog should be interested in exchanging hellos with others. One of my dog park acquaintances calls this "exchanging business cards"! Another calls it "shaking hands". You get the point. It is the good doggie manners way to greet and be greeted.

When Fido is accepting hellos and giving them without any signs of anxiety, fear or agression, you can consider removing the leash. Stay close and watch his body language. It is your job to stop any escalation of aggressive or dominant behavior BEFORE it gets out of hand. This means correcting your dog, and in more significant cases, can mean your dog needs to submit. Down, lay, stay...until you give permission. Permission is granted when your dog's body language and behavior is completely relaxed and he is paying no attention to other dogs around him. Then he is ready to get up and practice some more. Some dogs need lots of this practice before they are ready to shake hands with others nicely.

Most dogs have few, if any, problems with social interaction of this basic sort. It is usually the anxious, fearful, or shy dogs that may exhibit trouble with socialization. Often leadership is lacking and this brings on the problems. 

A few tips on what NOT to bring to a dog park, for all you first timers:

1. Never bring food into the dog park. You could create problems, as other dogs will smell it on you.
2. Bring in toys at your own risk. Some dogs may steal your toy, others may destroy it.
3. Keep in mind that the dog park is also for socialization. Encourage this activity and use the toys for those days when the park is meagerly populated.
4. Poop bags and water for your dog may be needed if you are not visiting a park that provides these. It is essential that you keep an eye on your pups and pick up after them immediately. This will keep everyone cleaner and healthier.
5. Leave your stilletos at home. Dress for the occasion. Many dogs like to jump up and put their paws on visitors, so plan on getting a few paw print hellos.
6. Handbags, beverages and other things you need to hold or keep track of may become problematic. If you set them down, they're likely to get picked up by a playful pup who sees them as fair game.

Finally, What do you take to the dog park with you? Not much, but there are a few aids that can make the first trip go smoother.

• If your dog is large and you need help getting him in and out of the car, a ramp is helpful.
• Boots couldn't hurt, as you might step in something a bit messy, if you don't keep an eye out. My favorite dog park boots are on sale at Amazon right now, so I've included them in the link below. They clean up really easy and are amazingly comfortable.
• If you have more than one dog, a leash coupler makes things a bit easier. You'll only have one handle to deal with for every two dogs. I have 3 dogs, so I'm speaking from experience.
• If you go at a time when there aren't likely to be many visitors, like daytime during the week, you might want to bring a ball, Frisbee or "chucker" ( a ball throwing tool for those of us who throw like girls).
• Make sure there is a towel in the car for cleaning up dirty paws.
• If you're going to an off-leash area that doesn't have dog park amenities like poop bags and water fountains, then consider this in your preparation.

I hope these tips will help you venture into the world of dog park fun. It is good for your dog and you'll enjoy the people you meet there. I'll be back soon with info on how to locate a dog park near you.

Exercising Fido: Good for Both of You

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Tanner Loves to Catch the Frisbee

We've all read at least one article on losing weight that recommends getting a dog. The author invariably tells you that when you have the responsibility for walking a dog, you will get your exercise also. Good advice, as long as you take it. I just feel for the poor dog who was adopted and then left in the house all day every day to hardly see the light of day.

So, what are your options, if walking turns out to be the activity you just cannot get yourself to do? Try some of these:

• Running...not likely, if you can't get yourself out for the walk.
• Biking--faster and more exercise for you and the dog, in less time.
• Roller blading: While this is Cesar Milan's first choice, it isn't the safest choice for many of us. His roller blades are more stable, but keep in mind your abilities and the size of your dog, before venturing out to try this.
• The dog park: This is my dogs' favorite outdoor activity. There is nothing like off-leash running to get a dog well-exercised. Tanner is particularly fond of the socialization and the running. Did I mention that Tanner likes to run? Tanner will run for an hour and a half, until I tell him time's up. He knows he better come when I call, and he does. But, what about you? You can get exercise at the dog park too: (1) Walk the perimeter, keeping your eyes on your dog for that inevitable plop!, (2) Grab a few bags or a shovel and use your time to pick up missed doggie-piles and trash. I call this Adopt a Dog Park. Check out the link for more info.
• Agility classes provide great discipline along with a dose of exercise. It is a wonderful way to bond with your dog, and you'll probably get more exercise than he does, once you get past the beginner level.
• Swimming is Tanner's favorite thing to "beg" for. Although he doesn't truly beg, he stands by the French doors and gives me a "please can I go swimming" look that can melt me sometimes. He doesn't seem to tire of it, even though Xena and Oliver will be in and out in a flash. Tanner will swim for an hour and then collapse on the porch for a nice nap in the sun--every day, year round. There are some exceptions. When we had our 7 nights of freezing temperatures recently, I didn't let him swim much. Poor guy. He gazed at the pool as if it were his long lost love and he couldn't give her a hug and kiss.
• The treadmill is a great tool, but you need to learn how to do this the right way. I recommend checking out one of Cesar Milan's books for instruction.
• Playing Fetch or Frisbee for 20-30 minutes is a great workout for both of you. You can also turn this into a good training session for the fetch and drop it commands. There have been more than a few instances when I was glad Tanner knows drop it. Have you ever tried to pry open the jaws of a 57 pound dog? It's nearly impossible.

There are a number of devices out there that are aids for biking with your dog. I just hold the leash and go, but some people find that their dogs pull a bit too much. You can check out the possibilities for some of these gadgets that attach to the frame of your bike, and with a stretchy attachment, won't pull you over.

Whatever you do to exercise your dog, remember who is in charge (YOU!) and make sure you are both having fun. Finally, keep in mind that you start the exercise, and YOU decide when to end it. No discussions on his with Fido! You're the boss.

The Importance of Exercising Your Dog--Mentally and Physically

The Pack Leader at Work

At the risk of sounding like the Dog Whisperer, I will repeat his mantra: Exercise, Discipline, Affection--in this order. He is so right.

My first experience at beginning to understand this came with Xena, when she was little miss hyperactive at dog training classes. When the instructor decided to allow "recess" or playtime in the beginning of class, she calmed right down after a vigorous play, and was ready to focus and learn. Wow! Such a revelation, and that was before we even knew about Cesar Milan.

Now, exercise before discipline is my own rule. Before obedience classes with Tanner and Oliver, I always found time, somehow, to fit in a long walk, bike ride, dog park run or a good fetch game in the pool. Once or twice, during long downpours, I actually took my long walk inside of Petsmart. Thank goodness they allowed that.

With obedience classes behind us, we are now venturing into a new challenge: Agility training. Running an agility course definitely involves both exercise and discipline; however, in my humble opinion, it is more discipline than exercise. Tanner can easily outrun me, and when he does he finds himself with confusion as to where he is supposed to go next. At first, he would just pick his favorite and have a blast, but now I see him beginning to stay with me and keep his attention on me more. That is the goal, so I guess we are making progress in discipline.

I do have to work at it, though. Each day that we have class, I take Tanner to a doggie play date. He runs for hours with a group of fun dog friends, and comes home good and worn out. Then we go to Agility class. Without that play date, Tanner would be a hyperactive nutcase. Well, maybe that is a bit harsh. Just hyperactive.

In my next few posts, I'll write a little about some of various ways I assure these pups get their exercise. I'd love to hear about your creative methods also. Feel free to COMMENT at the link below. Have a great weekend, and don't forget to walk the dog.

Dog Park Fun is Good for Everyone

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Tanner is Greeted at the Dog Park

There simply is nothing better than a good off-leash run at the dog park. For my guys, any dog park will do, just as long as they can be leash-free for a good run.

Each of my 3 has their own social agenda. Tanner is the social butterfly, who knows how to work a party. He makes his 3 or 4 victory laps when we go in, and then settles into a routine of getting around to greeting each and every dog in the park. This group of senior citizens in the photo above were eager to meet the youngster who wouldn't stop running circles around them.

Xena, my 12-year-old retriever mix, could have had a retirement conversation with this bunch, but she was actually quite playful this weekend, and chose to invite Tanner to a wrestling game. They had a good roll in the grass and she was done, except for meeting a few new friends. After that, it was simply a matter of following me around, as I picked up piles around the park. I enjoyed seeing my usual dog park friends, who seem to often visit at the same time as we do--weekend morning dog park romps make for great weekend afternoon naps--for me and the dogs! It was good, also, to bounce an idea about Adopt a Dog Park off on Midas's mom, Sally.


My pack's youngest member, Oliver, a 1 year old Papillon, who heads up this blog, did his usual beagle imitation--nose to the ground. He searched and sniffed nearly every square inch of the park, looking for goodies and anyone who would rub his belly. He found many takers.


So, now you have met my canine family, and you know their favorite activity. It is now your turn to share. I'd love to get your pictures and hear your stories. You can send anything and everything to LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com.

Thanks to those of you who have already visited. I was pleasantly surprised to see my visitor count at over 50, when I just launched this blog a few days ago. I haven't even announced it yet. I think I'll spruce it up a bit before I take it public. This is a good start. I hope you'll continue to come along for the ride.

Photos, Please!

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Smile for the Camera, Tanner!

I am very excited to show off all of your canine best friends on my blog. I'd like to share their images while playing at America's dog parks. Those of us who worked so hard to get dog parks in our areas enjoy them regularly. It is my passion to share this good green family fun with others. As promised, I am back to fill you in on how you can have your dog's picture appear on my blog. All I ask is that you:

• Submit photos taken at a dog park or dog play area with other dogs around. Show me your dog, other dogs, AND your dog park.
• If you submit a photo with people in it, I will crop it to edit out faces, if possible. I CANNOT publish photos of people without their written permission.
• Give me your dog's name(s).
• I'll be happy to include your name as his owner, also, if you wish. If you do not specify this, I will not include your name.
• Include the name of the park and its city and State.
• Photos must be saved in one of 4 formats: jpeg, gif, bmp, or png. Other formats will not work with my software.
• Email your photo, as an attachment, to me at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com

My promise to you is that I will not use your dog's photo for any purpose other than to be viewed on this blog, unless I ask specifically for your permission, and I will not give away or sell your email address. That's it. I just love dogs.

Since this is a brand new blog, your likelihood of getting your dog's photo on the blog soon will be greater if you provide it to me soon. As my readership grows, so too will the pile of photos. IF the response to this offer is great, it could take a long time to display each photo, so don't let any grass grow under your feet. Get to it and fetch those photos!

Happy Valentines Day from My Dogs

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Happy Valentines Day

from Tanner, Xena, and Oliver

Check in on Monday for information on how you can get your dog's picture on this blog. Tanner, Xena, and Oliver will be glad to share their spot and we would love to have you visit often. I'm getting the backstage stuff going right now and soon will be posting away, just as I do on my other blog, Organic Journey Online. Check out my Wednesday posts, called Woofing Wednesday, for more pictures of my dogs in action. They love to show off!

P.S. How did I get them all 3 to pose so nicely in their Valentine bandannas (yeah, I know it's hard to tell they are Valentine bandannas)? It only took one take. Well, what can I say....I'm a Dog Whisperer. LOL!