Why You Shouldn't WALK Your Dog Every Day

by Carrie Boyko

© Alan Boyko

Biking Your Dog

A Completely Different Sensory Experience

Did I get your attention? That was a pretty radical title, designed to get you dog exercise enthusiasts all riled up. I hope it worked, because now I'd like to show you why your dog needs more than a daily walk. Come along for a little ride with me:


Have you ever biked with your dog? Perhaps this is not a possibility for you. Neopolitan Mastiffs need not apply; Teacup Yorkies might not be able to keep up. It's okay. However, as the owner of a toy breed, Papillon, and a 70 lb. Golden Retriever, among my pack, I can tell you that biking is a very different type of stimulation for your dog. It reaches down to their DNA and reminds them of their ancestors chasing their dinner, herding the farm stock, or pulling a sled. You might find it hard to believe your toy breed could be motivated to pull a sled, yet my Pap would most certainly surprise you; he is a better sled dog than my Golden. Surprised? I was too.


All this said, the message is that walking is, at the very least, just a mild form of exercise. After a 3 mile walk, your dog's heartrate may be elevated, and he probably met a few pups along the way and enjoyed some pleasant, enticing smells. But this will never match the excitement of an invigorating run.


Runners can tell you about the 'runner's high' they get when the endorphins are released and they feel like they can run forever. I have not found this to be the case with my dogs, and yet they never sit and say "I'm done."


No, I'm not recommending that you run or bike with your dog every day. Their joints and ours need rest and down time. What I am suggesting is a variety of types of exercise, to heighten all of your dog's senses, giving him a well-rounded endurance experience.


A visit to an off-leash dog park is on a whole different level. While each dog's energy and activity is different, you can encourage exercise in a lazier pup with a ball-chucker, Frisbee or other favorite toy. Just be aware that it may not come home with you. Occasionally another dog will take ownership of your toy and not give it up. Good luck with that! You can minimize the damage to your wallet by sticking to FETCH with a tennis ball.


I've left the best part of dog park visits out. While your dog is exercising off-leash, he is getting a sense of what it is like to not be contained--no yard, house, car, small fenced yard or crate to keep him from getting to the dogs and humans he wants to meet.


My pack seems to enjoy the social atmosphere at the dog park just as much as the physical freedom. They may dream of a leash-free world, but remember that in that fantasy world there are many humans, as well as dogs, for them to befriend. This is a healthy socialization experience that you cannot get on a leash. The dynamic of a restrained dog greeting is different for most dogs. Any canine behavior expert will tell you, most dogs have some form of barrier excitement--the extreme need to run up to a passerby--dog or human--and greet them.


Am I telling you not to practice socialization skills on a leash? Absolutely not! That's where it should begin. But where? The answer is anywhere, or perhaps everywhere--everywhere that dogs and owners walk together.


As soon as you begin leash training with your new boarder, it is time to start your regular visits to places like Petsmart, Petco, walking trails, and dog-friendly areas of all types. Save the first dog park experience for when your pup is fully innoculated, well-socialized with people and dogs on a leash, and confident in his greeting behavior.  A well-mannered dog knows that giving and accepting a canine greeting sniff at the back-end is the only acceptable hand-shake in the dog world.


I'll be back another day to discuss more exercise options, not to leave out swimming, of course. For now, get out and give your dog some variety. His behavior will change markedly as a result, and you will be pleased. I guarantee it!


Related Reading:


Backpacks aren't Just for Students and Hikers
Biking with Your Dog: Fun and Fitness for Both of You
Swimming isn't Just for Lab Lovers
Teaching Your Dog to Fetch

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Happy Birthday Xena: You're a Teenager!

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Write to Dr. Jacki, ASK THE VET

(c) copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Xena, Age 13

Happily Sits for her Supper

Today is a big day at our house, as Xena is having a birthday. Not just any birthday--her 13th. She is officially a teenager now. In dog years, that makes her about 84 human years, or so I have read.

Looking at the world through Xena's eyes as she has grown older, I have begun to learn a good deal about what to expect for myself. I hope that I will grow older with the same grace that Xena exudes every day. She is always happy, never complains and enjoys every opportunity that comes her way. We should all be so fortunate as to see the world in this happy-go-lucky way.

Not a day goes by that Xena does not cheerfully greet me at the door when I return home, playfully steal my sock and implore me to chase her, or simply enjoy a snuggle while I stroke her fur. It is all this, and so much more, that endure dogs to us, and we owe it to them to return it in kind.

The love, the lessons, the constant affection, all enrich our lives beyond what we can possibly return to them. In telling you, today, about Xena's happy arrival at age 84, I wish to share this message from her perspective. All she has needed or wanted from me is unconditional love in return for that which she has given. I try to return more than she gives. Not in treats, but in the things she really needs: exercise, continued mental stimulation (can we call it training at 13?), and affection. I hope I meet her every expectation, just as she has met mine. 

Happy Birthday Xena

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Camping with Your Dogs: Part III--Strategies for Happy Pups and Happy Families at the Campground

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(c) photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Alan and Tanner Lead the Way

Before you read this post, you may wish to check out Part I and Part II, to get the story and my tips in the order they were intended.

Never before sleeping in such tight quarters with hubby and 3 dogs, our first night had me a bit on edge. The gang had enjoyed a nice walk around the town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and another at the campground. Nothing like some vigorous exercise to make for a tired and hungry dog that will be ready to rest after a good meal.


Dinner was put off till later than usual, due to our delayed arrival and subsequent set up of the RV. While both of us are experienced campers, we are inexperienced at RV life. We quickly learned that tent and VW buses don’t transfer all of the same lessons. Fortunately, we quickly and smoothly made all the hookups for the RV.


With the hookup complete, our son arrived with a delicious barbeque dinner, Southern sweet tea, and homemade brownies (Yes! My son made them). My organic eating vow went down the toilet for that night.


The pups were happy to be served their well-earned dinner and take a final walk before bedtime. Since darkness had descended we had to deny their plead to explore, but morning brought light to a beautiful campground and an enjoyable exploration of the lakefront.


Darkness helped, but eliminating their visibility sent the message: sleep time is here. By closing all the privacy curtains, the dogs had little outdoor stimuli that had had been present when we first arrived around dusk.


Exhausted, we were all asleep within minutes of settling on our best-suited sleeping locations. We offered Xena a spot hat mimicked her favorite bedtime spot at home. Tanner spent the night on the comfy, child-sized bed. He wisely knew he might be stepped on if he slept on the floor.


Oliver’s crate was placed in the bed with the door open, and he spent most of the night inside of it. He did snuggle up to me in the wee hours when the chill was more noticeable, but returned to the crate each time I adjusted my position. Weighing in at about 9 lbs., he knew he better steer clear when there was a possibility of getting rolled over on.

I’ll wrap this up quickly now. Before our return home, we enjoyed:

1. a lakeside hike where we saw a family of ducks enjoying a swim with mom
2. a visit to Barker Field, an off-leash park in Richmond, Virginia, that features a pile of finely ground mulch for digging, climbing and jumping, as just a few of the fun activities. Imagine a dirt pile and a group of boys—same concept!
3. a 2 hour hike around the beautiful, historic Richmond area called The Fan. This city certainly knows how to do parks. Florida needs to take some lessons from them.
4. a beautiful nature trail hike through the woods at Pocahontas State Park, south of Richmond, was the highlight for all of us. A gorgeous, cool day for hiking through the woods in fully shaded, heavily treed areas is a winter night’s dream for a Floridian. For us, winter is defined as January 1-February 15….maybe. 
5. Miscellaneous short walks around campgrounds and the towns we visited made for a nice exploration for all, particularly the dogs, who enjoyed the smorgasbord of new sights and smells.

So, what's my message? I'm guess I'm pulling a Cesar Millan again. There is nothing like exercise to assure a calm, happy dog, and it seems to have had the same effect on me and hubby. Great stuff!

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Learning to Speak Dog: The Play Bow

© photo copyright 2009 Carrie Boyko

Oliver Demonstrates a Play Bow

One of the first recognizable doggie communications we all see in our pups is called the Play Bow. Named for the front legs dropping to the elbows, while the rear stays up, the play bow is an invitation, doggie style, to play.

The Play Bow can be used with people, dogs and other pets. Dogs do not discriminate. Before Marc took his rabbit back to Virginia, Oliver often invited Robby to play. I never managed to catch one of those play bows on camera, much to my chagrin. Oliver still invites our cat, Patches, to play. Unfortunately for Oliver, Patches has outgrown her playing days, and would prefer to smack him in the nose when approached with his juvenile enthusiasm. Her response is something akin to "Get out my face, you dawg!"

Despite Oliver's diminutive size (tipping the scale at 8.2 pounds), the cutest Play Bow in our family is still Xena. She may be nearing 90, but she still enjoys a good wrestling match--generally with Tanner, whose size matches hers much better. At her age, she's not really interested in learning how to wrestle with a peanut sized sparring partner like Oliver. Really! What's the point? She's going to win simply by her size alone. No contest.

Racing would not be much different. Although Oliver could easily keep up with her, dogs generally wrestle at the end of a race, so that's that. Why bother?

No matter who offers the play bow, it is always a pleasure to see--cute and innocent--let's have fun! We should all be so lucky as to have life be so simple.
Want to learn more about your dog's language? Check out this book:

Score One for Organics: Xena's Success Story

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Twelve Year Old Xena

is a Faithful Porch Guard

I have to admit I've been keeping a little secret from you, my readers, about 12 year old Retriever mix, Xena. You'll understand if my reasoning was primarily to keep my material upbeat and educational. Today's post is definitely educational, so I'll let this canine cat out of the bag.

A year ago, when I took Xena into the vet for her annual vaccinations, they opted to run some screening blood work, because of her age. They explained that some vaccinations are tougher on an older dog's system, and can be considered optional after age 10 or so. The tests turned up an irregularity in her liver enzymes which was cause for further investigation.

We learned that Xena had a good sized, pre-cancerous tumor inside her liver, pressing on her hepatic artery. After tests, exams and opinions from 3 vet practices, we determined that her chances of surviving the surgery to remove the tumor were less than our comfort level, given that she was currently enjoying an incredible quality of life for a dog 11 1/2 years old. The risks of her age coupled with the location of the tumor, clearly increased the possibility that she could bleed to death in surgery.

Rehab from the surgery would have been highly challenging, with physical therapy, possible radiation therapy, and the daily rigors of carrying a 50 lb. dog outside for nature's call, while her abdomen was stitched and her back legs weakened.

After considering all of these possibilities we opted to allow Xena to continue with her currently excellent quality of life for as long as she was pain-free and able to get around on her own. While her prognosis was not sunny, the doctors each felt she would at least enjoy several months of continued comfort. Little did we know that we had given her the gift of a normal life span for a Retriever.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Xena Gives Me Her Profile View

Check out that Gray Muzzle!

In case you are wondering, Xena is 1/2 Golden Retriever and 1/2 Labrador Retriever/Chow Chow. As a younger dog, she was often confused for a Flat Coated Retriever. Age has thinned and shortened her fur, as well as dulling her coat, but nothing has yet diminished her spirit.

The doctors gave us a brief list of symptoms to watch for and one suggested a holistic liver aid called Milk Thistle, which has been shown to assist the liver's functioning. In addition to this supplement, I switched Xena to organic dog food, thereby eliminating toxins, food colorings, flavorings and preservatives from requiring processing in the liver. 

All these changes clearly took the stress off of Xena's liver, as she has just marked the one year anniversary since that diagnosis, and is still symptom-free. She continues her regular brisk walks, enjoys frisky wrestling matches with Tanner and loves to bask in the cool Spring breezes on our front porch, while dreaming the afternoons away. Isn't that what retirement is all about?

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Xena Takes an Afternoon Siesta

in our Geriatric Ward

We could not have asked for more. An additional year with our sweet girl remaining healthy, active and playful is more than we dreamed of. Although we know her time is coming, we now are assured that we made the right decision. We can see in her eyes the happiness of greeting each day with continued vigor. While Xena continues to visit the dog park, play with her housemates, enjoy our pool, and take her walks, I feel better each day that she and I are healing together.

Yes, I said together. My own battle with cancer has also been met with an organic punch. Next month will be 2 years since my diagnosis, and I, too, am still cancer free.

If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about why eating organic is good for preventing and treating cancer, I invite you to join me on my journey at my other blog, Organic Journey Online, where I write about all things green and organic.

I also urge you to read the Hundred Year Lie, by Randall Fitzgerald, a well-known investigative journalist. This book will open your eyes to the many poisons we are stressing our lives and our Earth with, and could leave you asking, "Why do I eat this Big Mac?" It's the best ten bucks you'll ever spend on your health, or your dog's.

Seniors Get More Than Companionship from their Dogs

Joan Enjoys Helping Oliver and Jacque

Learn Socialization Skills

About 6 months ago my mother adopted a Papillon puppy whose owner could no longer take care of him. Never having trained a puppy, she has had her hands full with so many things to learn.
Socialization is at the top of her list, thank goodness, and little Jacque is learning well. She visits the dog park with him regularly and he has proven to be a confident and well-mannered playmate for most of the dogs. He is still working on his vocalization, though. That's a nice way of saying that he needs to bark a bit less.

The many challenges of a new puppy have given mom a new sense of purpose in her life, and she is enjoying this immensely. Many senior citizens who are able to care for a pet, find that this responsibility breathes new life and energy into their days. A host of new tasks and challenges await and each one is a new adventure.

With many dogs available for adoption through shelters, at little cost to the owner, a senior citizen, on a fixed income can often afford to adopt a smaller dog, whose food requirements will be considerably less than my 4-cup-a-day Golden Retriever. A minimum investment of a crate and vaccinations necessary for good health can bring a lonely person a sense of importance in their new job of nurturing a dog.

Adopting a mature dog can often mean that the task of house-training is already accomplished. Even more, that puppy hood trait of chewing everything in sight is often also a thing of the past. With a daily walk, adult dogs can find happiness with a new owner who gives them the appropriate discipline, rules and finally...affection.

The latter is good for both dog and owner, but the whole package is necessary for a dog to become a bonded member of the new family. Take the lead and show your furry friend the boundaries of his new home, and he will become a good companion.

For a bit more information on bringing home a new family member, I like this DVD by Cesar Millan. His approach involves more leadership than training, and is very no-nonsense. Good luck!

Dog Park Greetings

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

This Brittany Spaniel Puppy

Is Having His First Dog Park Visit

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Hi! I'm Handsome

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Hey, You Up There!

You're Too Big for the Bench.

Oliver is Always Right in the Middle

of the Excitement

Every weekend is another adventure at the dog park. My pack comes home and sleeps half the day afterwards. There is nothing like working a party to wear out my gang.

If you are a dog park enthusiast, I'd like to invite you to visit Adopt a Dog Park, where you can learn how to help keep our dog parks clean and healthy during this difficult budget-crunching time for our local parks departments.

I collect dog park photos and have displayed many on Care 2 Adopt a Dog Park, where you can also start a discussion with other dog park lovers. We'd love to see your dog park photos, and you can share them there by creating your own photo album. Hope to see you soon.

Late Breaking News: My latest post has just been published on Central Florida Green Guide. I hope you'll find time to stop in and check out Green Family Fun: Let's Visit the Dog Park.

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.

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.