Why do we walk our dogs?

March 16 2019

It's a simple question that I think most times we do not always consider; we know this is a responsibility we adopt when becoming a dog owner, let us call it common dog ownership knowledge.

The next question would be when should I walk my dog and for how long? Night owls get ready... In the MORNING! Yes, unfortunately, many frustrated dog owners prefer the 6 pm stroll, let me explain why this could be working against you.

Picture this scenario for a minute, both the human and the dog wake at the same time 7 am by 8 am the human leaves for work and fluffy stays home, so what does fluffy do? He finds ways to release the energy he built up overnight maybe with some chewing or digging because they can't call their doggy friends and take themselves for a walk, can they? While this is happening the human's mental energy is being drained punching numbers or working the tools.

Who is most likely to get frustrated at walk time? Yes, the human! Fluffy is full of energy and has no self-control on the walk which annoys the human. Soon the walks are not enjoyable for either member of the relationship, and this ends up in a perpetual cycle of frustration, misunderstanding and then avoidance or in other words no more walks. Many times consulting with clients they express to me they want to walk their dog! But it has gotten to a point they gave up.

Think work is the same as a walk,. the walk is apart of dog instinct; when not fulfilled through a positive source, dogs will get fulfill

ment through another usually negative source. Human example:

Positive source: Sarah stresses from work, but then she takes a jog to feel better.

Destructive source: Sarah stresses from work, which makes her reach into the fridge for a chocolate bar to feel better.

You see the responsibility lays with us as they cannot sit us down and explain why they are feeling that way, they act it out. They became domesticated because they understood we know what the best thing for them is. So set that alarm back, and you will start to develop that deep loving, fulfilled relationship all dog lovers aspire to have.