Make sure shes getting enough mental stimulation that can tire them out to. There are dog puzzles (I have reviews of some in my blog) I would do one or two of those depending on the size then do your thing for awhile then you could do some trick training or do regular training. There are also kongs you can fill with things. Callie has a treat stick she rolls around and I either use Cheerios or skinny mini treats in them. They make a lot of treat dispensing toys.

Exactly! I'm the first to admit, Jackson is a begger. But it's because it's something I've always allowed. He gets little healthy bits off my plate, and I enjoy sharing with him. If I wanted to alter that behavior, I could. He also jumps on/off the furniture whenever he pleases and sleeps in my bed. He must be dominant right? NO RESPECT I TELL YA!! lol...

He is not perfect. But he is very respectful, he's polite in public, he is very smart, he is well trained and knows well over 100 commands, he has never been aggressive, the list goes on and on. He's really a good canine citizen. Never had to show 'dominance' towards him. It just came from a mutual respect & understanding, and a strong bond.

Of course I'll tell him "no" and of course I've gotten frustrated and yelled at him occasionally. I'm human. But I just think ppl need to worry less about 'being a pack leader' and 'being dominant' and just... have fun with your dog! They don't live very long, enjoy them while you have them, and make them tolerable enough to live with :p:p

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Jackson is the kind of dog that NEEDS to be stimulated, one way or another, or he will literally drive me crazy.

I have a few interactive toys. Kong Wobbler is his favorite.

But more importantly, exercise. With the weather, we haven't been getting as much, but on a typical day, he used to get at LEAST a walk (2-4 miles depending), a session of fetch (indoor and/or outdoor), swimming pool time (in the summer), etc. It really makes a difference. Even a 20 min walk can work wonders when I just need him to 'chill' for a bit.

Yes, exercise is SO important for Beanie. In the good weather, we walk 2 - 3 times a day and it adds up to about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. After about 30 minutes walking, she calms down to a normal dog and I can actually enjoy the walk and look at different things. The first 30 minutes is walking, jogging, running. It is kind of like interval training for me!

And Beanie too needs to be stimulated all the time or she will drive me crazy. She is like a little top, spinning and spinning all wound up!

But this weather! UGGGHHH Thank God, I have a long enough hall for her to run back and forth chasing her balls. I take an old pair of pantyhose and tie them around her other long squeaky toys and play tug with her or she jumps around trying to get at it.

Especially since I have bashed my toe again, I can't even get her out when the weather is acceptable. Last winter, we went out just about every day, even for 10 minutes to get some fresh air and sunshine. I just bundle both of us up to the max and walk around the block. I think it is so important for dogs to get OUT of the house no matter what. I am thinking another week or so and I might be able to get a regular boot on my boo boo foot and do a little walk!

I guess its good for me that Jess is a "lazy dog" and is very happy laying in her bed next to me. We have three floors in the house so I think just following me around in the house is enough for her. It was almost 70 yesterday and she raced around for 10 minutes outside and looked at me like "well that's enough" and stood at the door to go inside. Here's to lazy dogs!
well hopefully the boston snow will melt today. Hope the toe is better. I crushed one once lifting my daughter off a chair that then fell. Its a long process..luckily for me I also crushed all the nerves so it didn't hurt at all.. amazing it all healed..:2omg:

Almost 70, I am SO JEALOUS! Although, it is pretty warm here today, raining, foggy and the snow is melting. Hoorraaayyyy. But it is going to go back down to the teens tonight. Crazy weather.

Yes, it does take forever for toes to heal as you just can't NOT "use" it, like you can do a finger or hand. The first time I broke this toe, it took almost 5 months to heal. The second time, it took a month. Since I didn't break anything this time, it is actually healing quicker. I still have to wear the stupid, open toe boot. Nice. 14" of snow and I am walking around in an open toe boot. I just figure I am getting automatic icing of my toe. LOL. Quite attractive as well. A regular boot on the right foot, the open toe, ugly black boot on the left foot with a thick sock. Goes very well with my office attire!!