The Surprising Truth About Exercising Your Dog: Are We Going Too Far?
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- Опубліковано 9 чер 2024
- In this video, we discuss the controversial topic of whether it's bad to exercise high-energy dogs and address some common arguments presented by balanced dog trainers. We explore the belief that relying on exercise to manage a dog's mental and physical state can lead to an unsustainable situation and potential adverse effects on the dog's well-being. We also delve into the prevalent attitudes in certain dog training cultures that emphasize strict control over dogs and challenge the notion that dogs need to be strictly controlled to achieve calmness.
We advocate for a more compassionate and empathetic approach towards training, focusing on the importance of physical and mental stimulation for a dog's well-being. Exercise not only promotes the release of brain chemicals such as endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin, but it also contributes to a longer, healthier life by maintaining a healthy weight, strengthening bones, joints, and muscles, and reducing the risk of diseases and health problems.
Furthermore, we highlight the significance of exercise and play as bonding opportunities, creating a strong relationship between dogs and their owners that makes training and communication more effective. We acknowledge the individual differences in dogs, emphasizing the need for tailored exercise routines and the importance of providing physical and mental outlets for high-energy dogs to encourage natural behavior in acceptable ways.
While recognizing the need for moderation in exercise to prevent over-exercising and ensure adequate rest and recovery time, we also discuss the additional benefits of exercise, such as decreasing boredom and destructive behavior, building confidence, improving socialization, and enhancing mental and problem-solving skills. Join us in this informative and thought-provoking discussion to better understand the role of exercise in a dog's life and how it impacts their overall well-being and training success.
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CHAPTERS
0:00 I need to vent
0:19 The claim
0:35 How do you feel about this?
0:46 what rubs me wrong
1:11 thought experiment
1:22 you have 2 options
1:36 it's not just about tiring dogs out
1:58 why it matters for training
2:33 "R+ doesn't work with high drive dogs"
3:11 most important dog training theme of 2023
3:20 how much exercise is right?
3:42 Can you over-exercise a dog?
3:51 Hidden Benefits of Exercise!
4:20 Where do you fall on this spectrum?
4:27 Special discount link for Nom Nom! - Домашні улюбленці та дикі тварини
If anyone has questions or comments I will consider responding to the most voted up questions or comments in a future video if the topic seems interesting enough!
Would love you to do a Q & A.
Do you take questions
I've never read a book so fast! ua-cam.com/users/postUgkx1_veP7CApJK_GWy_TczaMciuG64PqJeU Learning about his dogs and experiences was just the icing on the cake - bed this book through and through. We're working with our new pup and Brandon's advise was just what I needed. Wish he'd just come and train for me haha but it's good for us and happy to have this new set of tools to use on our pup.
We exercise our dog off leash. That way he can run just as much as he needs to, no more, no less. Wilderness areas, dog friendly parks and even sports fields at night when no one is around are great options. Maybe what we need are more large areas where dogs can run off lead.
Sniffspots are great for letting dogs run off leash without other dogs around.
With my first dog I walked her 4 times per day, and almost every time we would play fetch. Because I lived in a small apartment I had to give her that exercise and time outside, not that I minded of course. We couldn't play indoors, so I figured we'd play outdoors every time. She was a dream to raise, always off leash and in full command.
With my second dog it's a bit harder, because I'm busier than I was when I had my first one, and I still have my first one. I try to go to the woods so he can go off leash every other day but sometimes I can't for several days. And after 3 days it's really starting to show on regular walks. There's a LOT of penned up energy, he's trying to run to every next bush or tree he sees. A fit dog really doesn't make your training harder; not exercising them does.
I watched a dog behaviourist here in the UK recently. They reckoned that every time your dog stops and sniffs at various points during a walk this is their equivalent of reading a newspaper and you shouldn’t keep hurrying them along. I like to walk my dog once a day and incorporate fetch and find games into the walk. I also never take her to the same place as the day before. Hiding favourite toys in the garden for her to find is also an activity she enjoys.
It's so important to get a dog that is suited to your lifestyle. It's hard because we tend to go with our hearts when getting a dog and we don't always think through the compatibility of lifestyles and the potential needs we both have that may not mesh. And if you do find that it's difficult to keep up with your dog, it's our responsibility to do right by the dog. If you have a very energetic dog who can play fetch all day and you can't keep up, try channeling his energy into agility training wear his mind and body are engaged. Or possibly consider getting a dog walker to help work off some of the excess energy.
it's not the heart its conditioning. ppl dont question their beliefs....they get a Labrador coz they had one as a kid etc.. I have 5 breeds I really like, but I would only choose one or two of those ie I love airedales, but wouldnt get one when I had my rabbit because I wouldnt risk it. I went with another standard poodle and he's amazing. he can do lots of exercise like hiking or not as much (ie just a nightly sniffer walk) with the help of training, dance etc.. he seems to know when to push me.. he will moan at me haha. "youre not that sick you did mopping!" luckily winter beckons so if I missed the morning walk and it's cool I can take him close to midday and we will not overheat.
To anyone who doesn't think their dog needs to be exercised, try this little experiment (one I'm being forced to do!!). Pretend that you did what I did--tripped and fell and hurt your knee and broke your big toe and you have to sit on the couch with your leg elevated (only time you can get up and move around is to go to the bathroom and you have to use a walker for that). See how soon it's driving you crazy. I've been doing it for a week and I HATE IT. I can't wait to be able to get up and move around and get some exercise. Two or three more weeks to go (assuming no surgery)! Just try it and see what it's like for a dog that doesn't get adequate exercise. Aside--go for an MRI on Wednesday morning and that will determine if I need another surgery on my knee. Fingers crossed I can do without (don't want another surgery on my knee--one was enough).
Relatable! I broke my leg really bad last year and had to spend months with a walker, then with a cane, and I'm still not as mobile as I want to be! No faster way to go crazy
Is it BAD to exercise your energetic dog??
Let’s talk about it!
When I first got my hound mix, I taught him to play fetch. He picked it up in about 2 minutes and then clearly let me know that he thought that was the most boring game he had ever seen. On the other hand, he loved to be walked on a retractable leash at the local parks and hiking trails, and even 20 minutes would chill him out for the rest of the day.
I have a 15 month old heeler. I live in an apartment which is why my schedule for him might seem excessive, but I think it's necessary.
He gets a 1hr structured walk in the morning (minimal breaks), a 30 minute play/training session in the park around lunchtime, and a 30-45 minute break walk in the evening. In this walk, he gets to sniff and mark every tree he wants, and he gets to choose where we are going. He also comes with me when I walk to do random errands througout the day.
On the weekends, he gets to go off-leash when we go on longer hikes, and he loves running back and forth, so he ends up walking a lot more than I do.
If I stop doing this, he will be fine for a couple of days, but by the third day he starts chasing the cat or getting zoomies. I know this because I was sick for a few days in January and the dog was ready to climb the walls by the time I got better.
Not that I'm complaining. He helps me stay active and I love having him around.
Chronic health issues have plagued me over the past few years, BUT my dogs' energy has kept me going. If I have a rough day and can't physically go for a walk or play soccer, I still make sure they have the opportunity to burn their energy. They have an obstacle course and play area in which they happily amuse themselves until tired. Play dates with other dogs are another great way for them to have a release without wearing me out. Sure, there's days I absolutely do not want to do anything! But after even a 10-15 min play session, we ALL feel better, even if all I did was sit and throw a ball. 😂
My first words for people who have a dog is exercise, exercise, exercise, for 3 reasons, 1- it helps drain anxiety, 2- it's the best way to bond and train your dog and 3 a tired dog is a good dog. When I'm out with my Siberian husky everyone comments on how well behaved she is and how well trained she is and how did I do it. My answer is always "3 hours a day of high energy exercise, if you don't have time for that or the inclination then a husky is not the right dog for you". I got a Siberian husky because I love to bike, swim, jog, walk, hike, play with my dog. I asked for the craziest dog they had who had lots of energy, the type that most people would give up on, because I knew I could meet their needs. I had lost my Malinois cross almost a year earlier and I wanted my border collie to help shape my new dogs behaviours. I see so many dogs now that have anxiety or are overweight and it makes me sad.
3 hours a day, wow, you are a good dog guardian!! I wish all high energy dogs had a devoted person like this. 😊
I think it ultimately boils down to having your dog's interest in mind. 'A tired dog is a happy dog' also gets used as an excuse to not provide mental stimulation. I only follow positive trainers and that's only context in which I've heard people question the amount of exercise dogs need.
I've never heard of the argument that exercising your dog is bad. Some dogs have boundless energy that they need to release and it would be pretty cruel to force them to keep it all in, especially if an owner's excuse is "I just don't feel like it". From what I experienced, a tired dog is a happy dog because it eases the tension they might be having and a lot of dogs can get bored if they're only cooped up. Plus, a change of scenery and getting to smell new scents while being outside can make their entire week.
Hi from Scotland Zak. Thankyou for your videos. Really enjoy them. I had to comment on this one. I have a large back garden. I turned half of it into the dogs part of the garden. So my dogs (and their doggy pals) can spend between 6hrs and 12rs per day playing in tunnels etc, or just chilling in their garden. To take them for a long walk on top of that would over exercise them, and could lead to major hip problems a little later in their lives. At presente i have 3 GSD crosses &1 lurcher cross ranging from 5yr to 14yr old. (All are big dogs) No hip/health problems, no behavior issues. All four are great when any new dog visits. So their social skills are being met. They will let me know if they want a walk on top of all the play time....after all, they know where their leads hang. They only need a long walk if they have not had their time in their garden. So yes people out there....you CAN over work your dog. Providing your dog with a good diet, lots of love, positive reinforcement & using common sense, will make you into a good dog mum or dad. But thats just me, my opinion & me sharing a bit of my 40 yrs of experience of having big dogs. ❤🐕🦮🐕🦺🐩❤
😂 when I commented on your short yesterday, I thought we were talking per day, not per week 😂 who the hell only exercises their dogs twice per week?
so important to meet their exercise needs! Totally with you on that, and against supressing all that energy. I have a young Beagle, and many people rehome Beagles around the age mine is (around 14 months) because they destroy their homes. As they would, being an energetic hunting breed! We have a large yard, and 2 older dogs the Beagle loves to play and run around with, but even then, he still needs more to be happy and fulfilled, and enjoys a few 2-hour hikes a week, along with daily shorter hikes.
I have a heeler. He seems so energetic at times. If I don't exercise him, he seems like he will jump out of his skin. I play fetch and walk with him often so he can relax.
I have a heeler/shiba mix and she’s the same way. If she doesn’t have that exercise, she’s going to find ways to get it out indoors 😂. It’s crucial so that she and I can have fun together and actually chill and relax together too.
I feel you! Skip the exercise and you have a tasmanian devil. 🤣
Glad to hear you say this. So many behavioral issues could be resolved with more exercise
While we can’t wait to one day have a fenced in back yard, because we live in an apartment we walk our dog at least 4 times a day. I work nearby so I come home at lunch and we walk a mile. She loves a good “sniff walk” and I really believe that if I didn’t exercise her like this my sweet rambunctious husky mix would be a nightmare. I’ve spent a lot of time training her (thanks to your videos and books Zak) but even with all the training in the world I think she really needs that dedicated time outside every day. (Plus a few good indoor fetch sessions a few times a week). You can tell it helps manage her energy and makes her happier and less stressed.
I completely agree with you, it really depends on the dog and you can absolutely over-exercise a dog.
I have a Border Collie, so you'd think I need to exercise my dog an insane amount. But he really doesn't need that much exercise, every dog's an individual and mine just happens to not need that much exercise. Just 20 minutes of exercise is enough for him per day. However, being a Border Collie, he doesn't give up. He would play fetch until he dies, so I have to be the one to make the call when he's done. We are in Texas and summers are pretty brutal with the heat here, and my dog's got long hair, so I have to be extra careful when it's hot.
I taught my sister's dog how to run along while i was on my long board. When she realized what was going on and that she had a chance to HAUL, never seen her happier.
I 100% agree, I ALWAYS say tired dogs are happy dogs.
I think when it gets to be a more negative thing is when people just use only exercise as a solution for everything without having other varieties of stimulation. I know I absolutely loooove seekng that side flop ❤️ it just generally prevents most common behavioural issues. But if, for example someone has a dog that incessantly whines for attention or boredom, or anxiety and they inadvertently reinforce it by going and playing Frisbee or chuck-it, you can actually end up creating that dog that's always "on" or they say "have no chill". We have to remember vary the levels of reinforcement in comparison to the behaviour, and maybe also identify when you want to be reinforcing to settle. If instead you if ignored for example, and then when the dog lied down give verbal praise or say "good settle".
I think in a weird way, some owners may try TOO hard to ensure the dog is physically tired or that they be a good dog owner and are sufficiently giving their dog exercise, that they forget that mental, psychological, simple behavioural expectations of just flowing and complimenting their existing lifestyle, not make it more difficult or stressful.
Exercise is still my number one. I know as well because if I don't at least 6 days a week I start to feel a mood change and off balance 🙃 it can become somewhat of an addiction of course, as it can for dogs as well, however so can settling/relaxing 😉 lol and also the "overtired" or "overstimulated", really common in young dogs/puppies, where they may seem frantic, or stressed, or just dopey and confused, not able to absorb or learn productively in that state. Being able to build upon the needs of each unique dog, like you said.
I heard this fantastic quote a while back, "theres a difference between rewarding your dog for 'doing nothing', and rewarding your dog for 'no reason' " so true! That teaches you so much, especially for positive & negative reinforcement.
Good share, thanks 😊
I think this comment is spot on! If the same exercise (e.g. fetch in the yard) is the ONLY thing you’re doing, then maybe folks would see some issues with a high-drive dog. Variety is the key! My GSD needs about an hour walk every day, but she also has talking buttons, training sessions, food puzzle toys, and our walks are in different places each time while we’re slowly sniffing and ambling along at her pace. Exercise is great and needed - just don’t forget mental stimulation.
@@schwed12 Agree with both these comments! Mental and physical exercises are equally beneficial 😊
Thanks for this!
I co-own a dog daycare and as a result, my dogs play with others for at least a few hours everyday, and they basically form a loose pack with my business partners four dogs. When they are outside, sometimes they’ll play their hearts out, other times they are just content chilling out and enjoying each other’s presence. The vets are always impressed at how just healthy they are.
Personally where I see ‘too much exercise’ becoming a ‘problem’ is when there is no variety and say their only exercise is playing fetch. I’ve seen dogs become hyper obsessed by a certain toy to the point where it becomes extremely annoying
Could you do a video about how to choose a reputable breeder for people choosing to go that route to find their puppy or dog? When I was searching for my future puppy, I did a ton of research and thought I made a good choice with my breeder, but found out too late that I had been mislead about everything from the health testing they performed to the temperament of the parents and their lines. This resulted in a lot of unplanned money spent at the vet and on training to help him lead a happier and healthier life. I learned from local trainers who worked with dogs from the same breeder that a lot of their dogs had the same issues, with genetics playing such a strong role in their temperaments. I think the problem was that all of the advice I found was pretty generic (look for breeders who perform health testing, and matches you with a puppy that fits your lifestyle), but I did not know what it actually looked like for a breeder to follow those standards. Before I even contacted my breeder, I had been watching your videos to learn as much as a I could to prepare to train a future puppy, so I hope you feel like this information would be valuable to share and to be able to help educate future owners about this so they don't end up inadvertently supporting a puppy mill/BYB like I did. Also hoping that with this info, people will be better prepared for the temperaments of the puppies and dogs they are bringing home, and not have to resort to using aversive tools to manage and train their genetically unstable dogs.
I found it best to go by personal recommendation when choosing a breeder. The one I went to was brilliant.
These are things I look for in a breeder of purebred dogs
- breeder is kennel club registered and puppies are registered. Note that this alone doesn't ensure a breeder is reputable.
- health testing relevant to breed. DNA testing (or clear by parentage) and other physical tests like ophthalmic exam, hip/elbow scoring, cardiac exam. Ask to see proof of all tests for both parents. Also quiz the breeder about the health of their lines as not all diseases have tests.
- lifetime health guarantee against tested genetics disorders.
- desexing contract/endorsed not to be bred from.
- lifetime breeder support.
- parents are from completely unrelated lines. Because I live in a small country I'll only consider a puppy if one parent is imported from overseas.
- ideally meet both parents and some other relatives. References from families with dogs from the breeder are also helpful.
- multiple champions in pedigree. Dog shows are stressful and a dog who performs well in that environment will likely have a decent temperament. Other dog sports titles especially CGC can indicate a good temperament as well.
- a breeder who loves their dogs and is passionate about the breed, not someone in it for the money and breeds as a side hustle. In my country ethically bred pedigree puppies often sell for similar prices as byb puppies, because the cost of breeding ethically bred puppies is so high good breeders actually make a much smaller profit.
It may seem like an extensive list but I found multiple breeders I liked within a 6 hour drive radius of where I live, then you just have to pick one and claim your spot on the waitlist :)
Agreed that a video like that would be super helpful, especially for people who don't have friends or family who have the breed (iow no word of mouth recs). I went the reputable breeder route, too. She had great comments from people even on breed forums. Did a ton of research on her. She seemed really nice. She was happy to talk to me ... until I emailed to tell her the preliminary hip X-rays showed problems. I wasn't complaining; my dog was pet quality and even OFA good hips can throw bad. But this was a first-time breeding of the parents, and I thought she'd want to know. Crickets. She ignored every email after that.
Yes I agree. More advice in this area would be great. I too can only find generic advice but don’t really know what to look for and don’t know anyone to ask for recommendation
I believe of course you should exercise your dog as much as possible!!!! Totally in agreement with you Zac! Thanks for all you do for us
My dog is a podenco, a Spanish hunting dog, and he has at least an hours walk every day, and often 1 1/2-2 hours. He is on leash because his recall isn’t great if he sees something he wants. I asked a local dog trainer and he said my dog should be either in his crate or training - no play, no toys, no walks! Needless to say I haven’t done that. We love our walks together
My older Chihuahua/JRT mix says she agrees with the "no exercise" idea. The adult Yorkiepoo and the standard poodle puppy say the more exercise the better.
1 Yr Old Staffordshire Terrier gets 2 hrs daily at the dog park sleeps a lot after playtime
My dog gets approx 3 hours of exercise per day every day (3 off-lead walks per day, approximately an hour each). She's so happy and healthy and we have such an amazing relationship.
My Shepherd mix and I have had to compromise to each other's needs, just like any other relationship that's built on love and respect. I wanted to rescue a dog with a high energy level as I love being outside and exercising. As Arlo became an adolescent he developed severe nervous anxiety to the outside world. I know he would prefer to stay home with his flirt pole, mental enrichment games and treats but I also want him to exercise a few days a week. I'm hoping when he gets older and we continue to work and grow together he'll find the outside world more interesting and exciting ❤
I have a 5 year old basenji mix who I trained with Zak’s videos as a pup! he insists on a 1-2 hour walk/playtime, 7 days a week 😳 15 minutes 4 times a week would save me so much time 😂
Right? I'm sitting here thinking are there really dogs that don't need exercise every day? That seems like a myth.
Love this channel. I have been training and working with dogs for 10 years. I have always gone with the breed and the specific temperament. Some dogs need to get out more energy. Some less. It's always different from dog to dog. Can't go wrong with three 20- minute walks per day along with some play time at home
I have had numerous dogs over the years. We exercise our dogs according to THEIR NEEDS!! Our 9 yr old Golden Retriever required 2 walks a day and a couple rounds of fetch in the yard. (He recently passed.) We would also take him to a new field every week to play or hike. He loved it. Our smaller dogs required less.
Now our 17 month old Golden Retriever needs soooo much more!! He is a spaz 😂 He has more energy than any dog I have ever owned. We learned very young that he was an amazing “seeker”. We now give him a sniff of his ball, go out in the yard (which is an acre and a half ) we hide it in snow, in leaves etc and open the door and tell him “seek”. He can spend up to an hour looking for that damn ball but he finds it and he is exhausted after and usually settles. It’s good for him and good for my shoulder because I could throw that Chuck it for over an hour before he would finally lay in exhaustion. You have to find what works for each individual dog. Our puppy loves his “seek game”. We give him hints as in “back” meaning he went to far or “good boy” meaning he is closed he is learning I swear this dog could find a missing human he is that good he always find his source. 😊
Hey! I work in a humane society and so I am well versed in energy, stress, and decompression. Zack is right we should have a healthy exercise routine like walks once or twice a day or a long play session in the morning for our dogs. Dogs are individual if you have a high drive dog you need more exercise. Just like with children. If a kid is playing a sport we don't worry about them becoming such an athlete that they will eat us out of house and home. We encourage that movement and play time. Being in shape is more important than worrying about creating some athlete we can't keep up with. If you did have such a power it would be a much bigger issue and would be easily replicated in studies.
I hike with my 17 month old lab every day a good 5 miles. Get him some fetch time in the lake too. He comes home and takes a good nap and is chill all day. Short walk in the evening and he’s good for a 10’hour sleep. Oh yeah….and I lost 20 pounds since doing this and am in the best shape of my life. Happy dog. Ripped owner🥴🥴😀😀
I think fitter = happier = healthier = more manageable. it’s really important to know what you have to offer a dog before you commit to giving them a home. One of our dogs needs regular high intensity training; the other is happy to watch the high intensity training. They let you know how much they want and need pretty clearly! I think dogs that don’t get the level exercise they are made for can develop behavioural problems as an outlet. Or they get depressed. Ultimately it is probably easiest to simple get to know what your dog needs from you.
I think high energy dogs can really be such a blessing. They are usually the most loving and tend to be very intelligent in my experience. They also tend to be healthier ensuring reasonable health expenses and tend to live longer if they are healthier. I think people wanting to be lazy is the true problem. It doesn’t take much to satisfy their needs and they will love their owner for it. I really wish people would research BEFORE getting a dog. There are so many breeds that love to lie around all day so why not just get a basset hound instead of a retriever. There is truly a breed for everyone if they would just choose based on their needs as a human.
Hey Zak great video I can tell from the beginning
All makes sense and a good reminder to consider what human companion best suits which dog companion
Right on, Zak. I walk and play with my dog as her energy allows for the day. If she is having a low energy day, I respect it. High energy day, I respect it. Dogs have ups and downs, too. So I let Maggie Bright Eyes set the tone for activity day by day. This formula works for me and my dog, and I understand it may not work for all dogs. And I may catch some shade on here for letting my dog decide how the day goes exercise wise. No worries, though. :)
My dogs are the first I've ever had and I'm a little confused about what is considered high energy. In here you talked about dogs only needing to exercise twice a week and that's wild to me. I thought my girls are only moderate energy, but I exercise them twice a day, one hour hike, and and a good run in the backyard. Is that high energy then? I can't IMAGINE having a dog that you only need to do stuff with 15 minutes a day. And all that's on top of the puzzles, mental simulation, and training we do every day. ON TOP OF THAT, they run around and play with each other. I thought mals and working dogs had more energy than that, am I wrong?
my trainer says dogs are more trainable after a good walk. I just took my 11 mo old standard poodle out for an early morning walk because our trainer is coming to work with us this morning. So many things to work on still with our dog.
If you have a good bond with your dog, they will let you know when they've reached their training level. My lab has trained several triathlon seasons with me, and I have a handful of examples where she stopped in the middle of a session and made it clear she wanted to back because she was tired after 10-12 hours of training that week. I usually plan a day off for her, but there are times when she will make it clear she doesn't want it, so we will focus on other training that includes walking or hiking, like tracking/trailing or rally obedience. My dog has ALWAYS been faster and more athletic than me. She still can outswim me, and outrun me on foot and on a bike at 5 years old. The key is to train them to stay near you, which is also mental stimulation. So the two can very easily go together.
Hi. We have a 1 year old standard poodle and his exercise is as follows: a 40 min long leisurely sniffy walk with some training incorporated at 5:45am, e then sleeps for several hours, another 20 min-30 min walk somewhere different around mid day, and then at 5:30 my husband works him hard with fetch with a ball thrower for about 20-30 mins at local Park. This happens most days a week. Sometimes there are also extra games and scentwork stuff we do around the backyard. He isn't destructive, does big sleeps and seems pretty happy so I think he is getting his needs met. If we don't do this he is definitely more hyper in the house.
My Australian Shepherd x Maremma is only 14 months old so she still has some puppy-young dog energy to ease out of (and will never be a couch potato), but trying to give her lots of Fetch play and walking her in the woods out back are what enable her to relax in the house, otherwise the energy gets funneled into hyper-vigilence/fixation on ANYTHING that moves outside or is out of place in the yard/on the road out front. Obviously I'll continue to work with her on "Settle" as well as giving her the exercise, because it's good for her to be able to shut her brain off whether she's been playing Frisbee or not, but I cannot imagine discouraging whatever level of exercise makes your dog happy to engage in.
I heard your name mentioned on another dog trainer video so I'm catching up on your videos trying to understand the difference between your style of training and Roberts and others. I'm doing my best to follow and understand your position on training a podcast and debate with other trainers, balanced trainers may help.
My dogs (Shelties) do agility and they absolutely love it and it’s great exercise!
Yes to all of this!! My two-year-old doodle and I go for a walk in the mornings (5-6 days a week, 45-60 minutes). She really looks forward to it and spending time with me. And then she's chill the rest of the day. Not overly tired, but not antsy and constantly interrupting me while I work. lol The other great thing is as a reactive dog (fear-based), she gets lots of opportunities to socialize and we work on counter-conditioning at the same time. So she gets to sniff to her heart's content, learn that not everything is scary, spend time with me, challenge her brain, and get some exercise. She's really become calmer around strangers and other dogs, happier overall, and as a bonus, I've lost weight!
I have a border collie. I used a chuck-it ball to train him because that's his favorite thing in the world. He came to me untrained on how to be a pet. He was bred a working dog but they got rid of him as a puppy because he didn't want to herd sheep. At 9 months old he had been in 3 different working dog homes and I rescued him from the last people to try to make him a sheep herding dog. All this dog wanted was a human in his home that loves him and to play, play, play! He is super smart, well mannered indoors and has learned so much in the 2 years I have had him. He does need to be exercised almost daily for at least an hour but we live on 10 acres with a pond and a creek so even when I can't actually play ball with him, he still gets out to play and explore his second favorite thing, dropping sticks in the creek and then running downstream to retrieve it. He could do this all day long! When not able to go outdoors he tends to get smacked down by the cat more often by trying to play with him or he will often go get a toy out of his toybox and keep himself busy with that. I think the mental stimulation they get from being outdoors is equally as important as regular exercise.
our dog is definitly a high/energy dog with an incredible work ethic. He needs exercise and mental stimulation daily. Otherwise he turns into a nervous wreck (he is a GSD/ Groenendaeler mix). But the things you can teach him are just limitless! Currently following a tracking course with him and he seems to love it
All I know is that the days I take my dog on outdoor active adventures, he sleeps better, he's much calmer, and our daily training session is less rambunctious. I'm no professional, but I can tell my dog really looks forward to our outdoor romps and I definitely don't plan on stopping anytime soon
While my dog is a husky australian shepherd mix, I noticed that sometimes she does not want as much exercise and I listen to that. Like if we hiked a lot or played a lot of fetch or ran a lot and I plan to do another long walk later that day, she'll have a specific look and turn around (not pulling) being like "nah, I had enough". I used to think I have to exercise her a lot more than I do because of the breed mix she is. Turns out she loves intelligence games way more than just fetch or exercise, so I hide stuff and let her sniff it out (like "go find the keys" etc). I think the most important thing is to learn your individual dogs needs in terms of physical and mental exercise
I ran, in the mornings, with my lab 4 days a week 3+ miles for about 6 years and walked 3 miles the other 3 days. Then walked another 1/2 to 1 mile in the evening. My dog at 100lb at 11 years old still enjoys and can walk 2-3 miles a day without any issues.
My high drive "make me" attitude Working Bred GSD has been diagnosed with Hip dysplasia, she has arthritis, it will get worse, the vet says she can only exercise on a lead walking slowly on the flat for a short walk. That would drive her crazy physiologically by itself. BUT then she had to have surgery in January, has been further restricted since then. When does consideration of 1 aspect override the needs of the other. I am considering putting this dog out of her misery. She is 4 years old, my only friend. We live in challenging environment, up a mountain, no neighbours, sheep and hares running along our 20mtr fence line. Plenty of sterile managed forests to walk in [mostly flat]. But as soon as We get home, she's flying around the "field" looking for hares on the hill.
My Aussie mix doesn’t like playing around other dogs but I live in a city. We were going out super early aka 4-5 am so we had the dog park to ourselves to play fetch. Before taking him for a walk. Now we found an app sniff spot where we can rent someone else’s backyard. It’s been a godsend so I can take him out to run around off leash when it’s light out.
Have you ever heard this: If you exercise your dog frequently, they’ll just get more and more stamina and be even more impossible to satisfy!
I’ve never heard this before. I’m a first time dog owner with a pitbull. i’m always looking for dog training tips on UA-cam. I have never seen any dog trainer ever recommend not exercising your dog or don’t over exercise your dog because you can’t control it. Who is saying this?
Do you think that social media is a good way to educate yourself on dog training or a poor way? I mean, considering that a person may not know anything about dog training at all?
I've never heard this. My two-year-old doodle DOES have a lot of stamina, however. She'll run circles around younger pups at the dog park, and they tire way before she does. I think it has to do with the regular exercise she gets. But it doesn't make her more difficult to deal with at home. The opposite, really. After our morning walks, she chills out the rest of the day.
ETA: Adding that her trainer suggested limiting those high-adrenaline activities (like really rough play sessions with other dogs and stressful situations) that cause a super-excited state because the adrenaline can stay in a dog's system for a couple of days after the activity. Since learning this, I focus on chill walks that don't stress her out, and it's helped with her reactivity and overall grumpiness with my other dogs. But that doesn't mean I don't throw the frisbee or ball in the backyard to chase! For her, those aren't high-adrenaline activities, just fun things to do with mom, and she stays pretty relaxed during play. And she still gets to meet new dogs at the dog park and say hi, but we don't stay long enough for her to get too amped up, and I make sure the other dogs don't overwhelm her.
And another ETA: This has obviously hit a nerve for me because I have more to say. Haha. Why WOULDN'T you want your dog to gain stamina?? It means their heart, lungs, and body are getting stronger, which means that - just like with humans - they will be healthier overall.
@@crotchet1586 I don’t know if you were directing this question at me or at Zac. I think UA-cam is very good at exposing one to all methods of training. Obviously, it’s up to each person to adapt the style or styles that appeal to them. I’ve gotten a lot out of Zac’s channel as well as balanced trainers that Zac doesn’t agree with. I take a little from here and a little from there, I would also add that I did invest in a positive reinforcement only training course that I am enjoying.
I've been hearing this for at least 15 years especially around agility circles. Yes, dogs gain more stamina but from what I've seen it's generally dogs that don't get enough exercise that tend to be difficult to manage.
I have a question I rescued a dog 2 years ago and she had some issues with when people come on our porch to our house she just acts like she wants to really get to people and she gets real aggressive if it's just the pizza man she gets really aggressive and get all worked and it makes her really nervous and no matter what I say she just will not listen any advice on how I can calm her down because people are really afraid of her but she is just so sweet with us the immediate family thanks love your videos
Training while playing is always best way to go. Or playing while training, however one wants to word it. As either way, training should always be fun for both dog and owner.
I almost wish this was true, I would love my dog to get more and more stamina 😂 I have an aussie shepherd I exercise every single day. I can't do long training sessions as he gets tired pretty quickly. He's simply not so much "high drive" and spends most of the time sleeping, even though aussies are supposed to be high energy dogs. But I do as much as I can with what he's able to give me (agility, frisbee, tricks) and he's amazing regardless ❤
I've never heard of anyone saying not to exercise a dog, nor to limit exercise for any of the reasons you give here. I suppose it may differ in different parts of the world. The only thing I've been told is to make a routine you can keep up with, because if you go at 150% of what you can keep up from day 1, the dog might expect that to be the norm, and may not be so happy when you realise you can't actually do 4 hours of hiking every single day. It's better to set about it with a routine that is manageable for you and that keeps your dog happy and stimulated in all the ways required - whatever that balance may be. It will look different for everyone.
But to say that means "don't exercise your dog" is at least not at all what they were talking about, just that we should make a routine we can maintain, for the sake of the dog's health and happiness. I can't see the point of having a dog if you're not going to walk it and train it in addition to all the cuddly stuff. I think the best option is to get a dog that has the temperament and energy levels that is most likely to fit your life situation and health situation. Don't get a husky who wants to go run in the snow for hours every day if you're a fragile 90 year old in California :) to take it to the extreme.
I should probably mention that the person in question trains/walks their dog 2 hours a day, 6 days per week - none of that 2 walks a week kind of nonsense.
My border collie is 11 months old and I want her to be as fit as possible. In addition to a daily walk of at least one hour she also has a training session every day. She will be an agility dog as well as competing in Kennel Club rally and hoopers. She's a high drive dog from working parents. It's important not over stimulate high drive dogs as they can find it hard to settle if you wind them up too much. It's also important not to over work them. I believe a dog needs exercise every day and their owners need the exercise as well. A couple of people in my family compete in gun dog trials. One complains that he never wins anything and gets upset with his dog. The other one wins all the time. He trains his dog for an hour every day, not necessarily gun dog training but general obedience and trick training as well. You have to strike the right balance.
Currently farm sitting two Border Collies; one likes to veg in the sun (12 years old), the other (one year) will run endlessly, can't relax, always on. So exhausting!
Our dog gets 2 walks a day. A 40 min walk in the morning and 1hour plus walk in the evening along with playing in the garden. I think it depends on your dog and their preferences at the end of the day although I do sometimes notice a difference in the UK and USA. For example I'm from the UK and on average here we walk out dogs twice a day every day where as I see a lot online about people in the USA walking their dogs a lot less than this and their 'hikes' are the sort of walk my dog gets twice a day. It's so weird how things differ from place to place
If my dog is showing signs of overheating we stop and cool off - my dog lets me know when he is getting tired. I have seen a lot of problems with dogs who don’t get enough exercise. I want my boy in the best physical and mental shape possible, and both those things require expenditure of his vast stores of energy:-)
My dogs have a pet door and I also go out there and sit with him while they play and/or I play with them. They run and play as much as they want to. They get tired and come in and get a drink of water. And then they want to go out and play again. I try to let them get as much energy out as they want to so they sleep good at night And so they don't fight. 😁 If it is raining for 2 days and they don't get to go out and get their energy out, they will start getting all grouchy. Not fun! 🙏 Thanks Zach!
Zak I have a question and not sure if you can answer. I have 6 month old Mini-Aussie and Blue Heeler Mix. She loves the dog park and has so much fun playing with her friends. I usually take her everyday for about an hour since we live in a condo we don’t have any yard space for her really. Is this exercising her too much? I also take her for a walk usually in the morning for about 10 minutes
If no dogs are at the park, I play fetch with her there. I usually play tug and fetch with her at home for like five to ten minutes. I try to make space to play a short distance game of fetch.
I think your questions needs input from both a trainer and a vet. The vet will be able to tell you when it's safe to allow your dog to do a lot of really hard running and jumping (when her growth plates close). On the other hand, Aussies are pretty active dogs that need a good bit of exercise. I'm certainly not Zak, but in my own opinion, you're certainly NOT overdoing the exercise. Sounds like you've got the exercise well in hand. You just may also want to check with your vet to see when you can allow a lot of jumping around and assure yourself she's healthy and fit for your exercise routine. Once she's old enough (her growth plates are closed), you may want to see if there is an Agility class in your area. I love Agility because it gives you AND your dog three things you both need: Exercise, mental stimulation , and socialization. You'll find a great number of Aussies in Agility. And I've never seen an Agility class that used anything other than positive reinforcement training.
My mini Aussie gets 15-20 minutes of frisbee any day that's not raining (she hates rain! 😂) or water fetch in summer. On weekends, we walk about 5 miles but that's exercise for ME. She is wonderfully calm in the house, optimal weight and a perfect companion. If a trainer told me to exercise her less (aside from injuries), I'd get a different trainer.
I am in service of my dog, so i adjust to whatever i get in personality of dog. I brought in my house not the other way around.
Year and a half boskimo.... About an hour to hour and half daily at doggy park (twice a day on weekends) and an evening walk for 30 min minimum. As well as play and some training at home. Some good weekend off leash hikes in the woods when weather is good.
Can you do a video on teaching drop it fast. My dog will drop it but she will chew on it for a minute before she drops it
Super interesting. My 1 year old Cavapoo gets 1 hr x2 every day. I thought at least once a day would suit most dogs. I’ve definitely heard recently the phrase that you can turn your dog into an athlete if exercising them too much, but up to now haven’t listened
Is walking your dog on leash considered exercise? I walk my 2 year old German shepherd for an hour every day but only get to play off leash frisbee with him at the weekend for 15/20 minutes. He loves the frisbee but I can only play it with him once a week. He is never destructive but is always keyed up and anxious unless I'm paying attention to him. Is he being exercised enough? I love him to bits 😬
I compete in agility with working breed dogs, so my dogs are exercised every day, walks and training in some capacity. But I think you are missing the point of the argument, which is more around arousal and stimulation levels rather than fitness. If you only do a lot of high arousal high energy activities, your dog may be always very excited and have a hard time relaxing. Sometimes when they are like that, what they need is calm activities and learning an off switch, rather than a game of fetch. This is listening to the dog's needs. Like a toddler, sometimes when overstimulated and when they are running around like crazy, what they really need is a nap.
I play fetch with my fox terrier twice a day for about 15 minutes, I also give him paper towel rolls to rip apart. He loves ripping apart things so I satisfy this need with empty paper towel rolls. I also train him each day for short periods of agility. He is never destructive in the house. When he was younger we made him a digging pit in the yard which he loved.
I think it's nuts to not exercise the dog! Just like my kiddo, my dog gets into a lot less mischief and makes a lot less messes when they get all their energy and wiggles out by running around and playing outside and taking walks. Dogs are like fluffy children, they have lots of energy and are always hungry 😂 As a human adult I hate exercising but I'm intentional about it for my dog. I see it as the responsibility of a good pet owner. If you don't want a high energy pet, get a cat. I have one of those too and they are a lot easier to manage when being a couch potato lol
Prof dog walker, one of my clients adopted a young dog, and did encounter the issue of the more they exercised, the more stamina the dog built. Their solution -which i was skeptical about- was to adopt another young dog as a playmate. This thankfully worked out amazingly well, and both dogs are incredibly happy.
Having experienced this by proxy, I full heartedly do not agree with the concept of discontinueing a dog's physical activity for the sake of the human's convienance. Prior to the playmate, the og dog was distructive, bored, and anxious bc the parents, despite their best efforts, just couldnt provide enough for the dog. Had this continued the dog would have grown up to be a nightmare to handle. Now she walks perfectly on the leash, and has no destructive habbits.
If you cant give your dog enough exercise, or provide an alt solution to gain physical activity, you shouldnt own that dog. There are plenty of couch potato dogs out there. Adopt one of them.
You can't really expect exercise alone to teach a dog to be calm in the house though.... Right? It seems that people are expecting exercise to calm their dog down and solve all their problems and then it doesn't so they say the opposite is true...? But really, exercise just makes training easier and enriches their life so they're happier. It doesn't fix everything on it's own or cause issues either: am I right in that? I think people are trying to solve a problem but not recognizing what the root of the problem actually is.
My puppy tells me when she's has had enough exercise by keeping the ball or freebie away from me and laying down in the shade when it's sunny.
We have a black labadour jen any tips to stop her from pulling and to sit before we cross the road on ervine terrace
I've heard so many things about playing fetch, frisbee, and alot more- all warnings about negative health factors long term. How seriously should I take their claims? Are dogs not allowed to play these games anymore, and should I avoid them completely? If yes, what's the alternative?
I’m more concerned with injury. Both my dogs (lab and golden retriever) love to fetch, but they run hard. And hit the brakes just as hard. So I’m always concerned with their safety. But a good fetch session poops them out and they seem calmer throughout the day
I adopted my first shih tzu about six months ago. I never owned a dog before. I walk my dog twice a day every day for about 2-3 hours total of walking. He likes wandering and sniffing. Am I overexercising my dog? Im not forcing him and often im the one who has to cut it short because he doesnt want to go home. Hes older about 8-10.
the only beach area in Toronto where people can have their dog off leash is in the dog beach designated area.
If you have a high energy dog, then you need to find an outlet for that energy that works for you BOTH. My old guy was off the walls when he was a puppy. No problem, we lived in the woods and I loved hiking. Fast forward a few years and now we're living downtown in the city and I have a knee injury. No problem. I'd found that he loved to play fetch so it was no big deal to stand there, propped up on my crutches with the chuck-it for 15 or 20 minutes while he ran and ran and ran after the ball. I also realized that teaching him tricks was also a great way to exercise him when we didn't have the benefit of an off leash area or when it was -40C outside and it wasn't safe. (We called it "indoor sports!") If you can't properly exercise your dog, you're just being lazy.
My dog seems to get more excited by any tipe of unusual events like going to a competition or show or visiting someone,ect. It's like the more we do of those exciting new things the more she expects that every day needs to be exciting or maybe breaks in the routine meke her anxious?...so this "concept" seems to be true for us but in a different way...I exercise with my dog as much as I think see needs to keep her fit. But sometimes I can tell she's just overstimulated (eg. by said events) and wants me to engage or go for a walk because settling is too much for her. How to tell the difference?Should I let my dog let the steam out by exercising next day after eg. a tiring competition? I think it's too much for her...🤷♀️
First time adding a second dog. Had sooo much fun on my journey with my now ten year old border collie. Added a second one to enjoy it again and possibly keep a pep in everyone’s step. This one’s a little spicier, slight sensitive stomach. How the heck do you balance two different age dogs physically mentally and nutritionally?? One considers things but then there you are in it… help?
We just got a lab mix puppy and we notice a huge difference between his temperament if he gets a 45 minute walk in the morning and when he doesn’t. We do however have trouble getting him to play with us which is the main way that I try to get his energy out during my workday. Any tips for a dog that doesn’t know how to play?
I recently got a puppy. I've never had a puppy, always adopted adult dogs. Mine wasn't all that interactive at first which also concerned me but now he loves to play fetch. Maybe it's just their age? A baby doesn't interact much at first and takes a while for them to pick up little games.
I think he missed the point of what trainers are saying. They are not saying don't exercise your dog adequately, they are saying don't overdo it. We used to have working dogs and at the end of the working season the dogs were super athletic with great stamina and going back to 3 hrs of hours exercise a day did not suffice. It took time to get them back to a relaxed state with just normal exercise.
Hey can you help me I have a dog And he barks I things such as Scooter, skateboards, bicycles, etc but luckily not cars. He also gets agressive when I hug or pick up my little sister What do I do any tips???
My dog has the potential to live 30 years if I meet all her needs. Why wouldn't I do everything I can to try to give that to her? I didnt get her so I could have an easy life, I got her so we could both have a fulfilling one.
I have a dog 2 years old, 87% Standard Poodle and 13% Cocker spaniel, she has high energy and I am physically limited, my husband walks Bella almost everyday, I will sit and throw toys or ball for a game of fetch or catch 15-30 minutes of this she’s ready to lay down and rest with me, I feel bad that I’m not able to do more but she gets to play everyday and then cuddles
Like Humans, dogs need exercise. For healthy respiration and bloodflow. Variation in heart rate, vital to feeling alive. You owe that to youself, and your animal. Better health, better bonding.
The charity I'm hoping to get my Assistance Dog from (most likely a Labrador, Golden Retriever or a mix) lrequire me to devote a minimum amount of time each day to exercise and training. I'm quite relishing the prospect of devising ways to fit it into our day and make it fun. 😊
My dog is exercising me 🥸😂🥰 4 times a week it’s great I love when she takes me out for a run 🏃♂️ 😂
If I don't walk my boxer, he wines until I do. He gets me out walking, too.
How do you know What the need for exercise is? We have a golden retriever, which stresses alot. I therefore dont know if a good hour and a half walk a day is good for him, or too much, because he doesnt know how to unwind that much by himself. I walk twice a day, he seems to like it, but I have no idea if he needs more or less, how can I tell? His stress-level was the same when I only walked once a day. He is one year old.
Walks generally do not cut it for very high energy dogs they need a more stimulating work out like fetch or other high intensity exercise for short periods with breaks over the course of 1 to 2 hours a day sometimes. 4 days a week or so.
Also, keep in mind that you want to build in some mental stimulation with these workouts that require them to use their brain. Doing tricks for a toss of the ball is a good example.
Thank you so much ❤
Click bait and engagement farming are the hallmarks of great social media monsters.
Congratulations to his supporters
We have to STOP our dog from exercising too much! He gets taken for 3 walks a day, an ‘urban’ 20 minute walk first thing. Then the beach or country park for an hour of off-leash running where he’d play fetch with his ball until he dropped, if we let him. Then an early evening mooch round some local woodland or the beach again, for 20 minutes or so. This is usually his ‘sniffing’ time, on leash, and he enjoys a stroll at his own pace, where he can do his business and wind down for the night. He’s a happy, contented dog, eats like a wolf, sleeps the deep sleep of the righteous innocent! It’s a dog’s life
I don't get this. I have a VERY energetic Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a dog people insist is a couch potato. I've never found this to be the case, he's a busybody and he loves to fetch! I love to play with him every day and we both get a lot out of it! He's slim, in good shape and it gets me out and bonded with him. A dog is not a plush toy...it's a buddy! Give your buddy what they need! Have some fun!