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Originally Posted by Cooper2010  We're on 20 acres of open pasture and wooded land. Should I just let him go when he won't come back when I call him? That's responsible. Your definition of exercise and mine are extremely different. He has a big enough house to run wild in that he could wear himself out if he didn't soil every square inch of it. |
NO! I have 90 acres of farmland behind me and live on 3 acres. I DO NOT let Jackson off leash there. I never once said to let him off leash before learning recall. Sorry but I don't think running around a house is sufficient enough exercise for ANY dog. You try to stay in your house and jog around it every day 24/7 for your mental stimulation. I think you would go crazy after a few days.
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Originally Posted by Cooper2010 I've read enough here to be well aware of that. Maybe our lifestyles aren't the same and I can't do everything that she does? Maybe I don't have access to dog parks, etc? I know what should work, and I know what isn't working. I can only do what I have the resources to do. |
Hence why I said: "I realize ALL of these things aren't always capable of some people but I do believe good exercise would help 90 percent of peoples dogs problems most of the time."
I'm NOT saying every one should bring their dog to a training class, or take agility classes, or go to the dog parks. I realize not everyone has the time or the resources to do it. But a WALK is necessary when owning a dog. I don't live in a neighborhood and I have to drive up the road a few minutes to one with sidewalks to take him for a walk. And sorry I will never think running around a house or being tied to a 30ft line is a true form of exercise. A replacement? Yes. When we can't get out, I have Jackson play fetch or run around the house when I didn't have time to take him out, etc. but it should not be a replacement.
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Originally Posted by Cooper2010 I may be confused, but isn't Brit a high school student? If that's the case then I can certainly understand the criticism. I'm 40, with 3 kids, with a job and ballgames and all the stuff that goes along with middle/high school kids. It's not always possible to go to doggy classes, agility, etc. This has been his schedule from the beginning. He did well initially.
My apologies if I have her confused with another person. |
I am in college, not high school. Yes, I am 20 years old. I probably have a lot more time on my hands than a mother with 3 kids. But I know MOST of my friends and family friends are mothers, with full time jobs and children and they still have time to take their dog for a walk. When you make the commitment to get a dog, you must give it the time it needs. My step-mom works, she has my 6 year old brother that she takes to school, picks up, takes to practice, volunteers at his school, they go out to dinner, etc, but she still makes sure to get her 2 dogs a good walk, or a bike ride where they run next to her on the bike. They have a huge fenced in yard but it's not always sufficent enough. Dogs get bored and they get destructive.
Every dog is different... some dogs might be perfectly okay to be inside 24/7, and some are not. In your situation, it sounds like your dog needs more stimulation. He sounds like a bored fearful puppy. I am not a professional dog trainer however I have researched and studied dog training ALOT because it's something I'd like to do in the future. I also dogsit on the side and have trained many dogs, old and young, while they are in my hands. I also have volunteered at our local animal shelter. I am giving you ADVICE because you ASKED for it. Don't like it? Fine, don't use it. And continue to have your dog behaving the way he is.