Dogs make the best pets for anyone that wants an interactive and affectionate companion. Most of them enjoy our company, whether it’s in the form of playing tug and fetch, simply hanging out by our side, getting belly rubs, or going places like the beach and mountains with us. They teach us to give and receive love frequently and without hesitation. They show so much gratitude for the simplest joys of life that they can brighten up our moods and so remind us to be present in the moment, stop to smell the flowers and be thankful for every moment we get to spend with our loved ones.
Because our dogs do so much for us, isn’t it our duty to give them a life that is enriched and fulfilling?
They need more from us than love. This fiercely strong and majestic specie was made for more than receiving cuddles and treats from us.
Let’s look briefly into the history of dog domestication. Approximately 30,000 years ago, our human ancestors saw the value in having the assistance of tame canines for a range of daily activities from hunting to guarding, from pulling sleds to herding livestock. As the integration of canines into human lives became more valuable, people started selectively breeding dogs based on a range of factors suitable for the specific task the dogs would eventually become involved in. This selective breeding process means that the pedigree dogs we have today are all bred to work in one way or another. As such, another natural bi-product of this process is that these dogs are intelligent and exceptionally trainable. In fact, being trained to do a task well is what gives their life purpose.
Hunting dog or sport dog
A dog trained to use its strong sense of smell for security purposes
Fast forward to the present day, most of our pets live a sedentary life. Their intelligence is not being nurtured, their trainability is not being harnessed and their natural talents are not being cultivated. They have been reduced to the equivalent of a stuffed toy or a favourite piece of furniture. They hardly even get the bare minimum exercise to allow them to release the energy they have consumed, and to top it all off we have no rules for our dogs. Our solution to unruly dog behaviors is either to let the dog live outdoors or scold and chase our dogs to try and stop them doing what they’re doing.
Sounds chaotic, doesn't it? What if I told you it doesn’t have to be that way?
Dogs today live a sedentary lifestyle
There are many reasons our dogs bark, jump, dig, chew or have zoomies, but among them the main reason is likely to be a lack of exercise. As the old saying goes: A tired dog is a good dog. Therefore, the first and most important thing we can learn to do as a dog owner is take them out on regular structured walks - the walk itself will give them a workout while the implementation of obedience training into your repertoire will keep them mentally stimulated. Once you start to do this, you will see your dog’s behavior change significantly for the better, and you will enjoy his or her companionship even more!
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