Exercise for dogs?

Question

I want to exercise my dog more to improve her behaviour. She is very hyper 18 month old GSD lurcher, which a strong mind and can run forever! I've started taking her out in the morning before she eats her brekkie for a run next to me on my bike (its the only way I can go fast enough). She loves it, and has adapted to it very well. However, I'm not the fittest person. She could run more than what I can give her. What other ways are there to exercise your dog? I also give her a proper walk every day, and an evening trot round the block. But she's STILL not tired!!!
She's not obedient enough around other dogs to do flyball or agility, unfortunately.

I've already been to see the only local dog trainer (and I don't drive) and she was KC registered. She was an absolute fruit cake, plus she used clicker training, which my dog is afraid of (even when clicker is muffled). She critised every thing I said, and did, and if something didn't work it was because I did it wrong, not because it just didn't work. etc etc. Not EVER going there again.

I agree The-She. My intention is not to exercise her so much I knacker her. I want her to get the frustration and need to play out. She only starts being naughty- pulling crisp packets out of the bin etc, if she's ignored. She isn't being spiteful, she's just really frustrated.
I live in the UK so there's no such thing as dog parks here, sorry, but there's still parks and woods etc.
I'd love her to do agility, but worried about the obedience thing. She's not easy to lure, and is only respectful after she's burnt off pent up energy. i.e after a run. I took her out on the bike again this morning (serious saddle bruise developing-ouch!!) and when I took her for her walk later on, she trotted beside me at heel, calm, ears flat, no pulling, not even a single downward tug to sniff. Usually her nose hits the ground and its a constant battle. That's all it took to tur her from ADHD case to 'normal.' No 'obedience,' necessary. She ignored all dogs today. And she recalled. I owe u Cesar M!!

Answer 1

I have a similer problem with my lab/collie 18mts, i take him out in the morning for a run & fetch for an hour, afternoon for fetch 1/2, dinner time for a walk & evening for a run & fetch, but sometimes at the weekend i have to take him out more a when he starts fetching things from around the house it's best to take him a walk rather then telling him off.

Answer 2

Oy! What a mix. lol I mean that in the best of ways... :-) You've got an active pup for sure!

I would take the advice of others and enroll her in some obedience classes. Once you've done that, I'd definitely look into a fly ball or agility group. :-) She'd have so much fun, and no doubt be one happy girl. If this is out of the question, try a treadmill. If introduced properly, she'll more likely than not love it and you won't have to over exert yourself to the point of injury or exhaustion to keep up with her. :-)

As for her behaivor, practice NILF. Not only will this help to improve her behavior, but it will give her mental stimulation as well (which every dog needs). :-)

Answer 3

You would be advised to get some one on one training for both of you with an experienced dog handler. From your description I don't think it would be wise to enrol in a class yet, but once the basics are sound you would be ok I think. Once the obedience problem is resolved, you might find your dog would thoroughly enjoy dog agility. This is a great way to exercise her and at the same time stimulate her mind. Good for strengthening the bond between you and also improve your own level of fitness.

Answer 4

It is not more exercise she needs, it is more disciple. Sorry if that sounds rude but you get yourself into a Catch 22 situation by giving her more exercise. The more exercise you give her, the fitter she becomes and the more exercise she can take. Most working breeds can become hyper if they are not taught to lie down and relax and that they cannot have your attention 24/7. Your dog is a mix of 2 working breeds - the GSD was bred to work all day long, you will never wear out a fit GSD! 3 walks a day is plenty, you need to teach her she has to accept that sometimes nothing is going on and she either plays with her toys, chews on a bone or goes to sleep!

Answer 5

hi
Some daily activity and exercise is essential, allowing freedom to move about in a natural manner. Lack of exercise leads to poor muscle tone, obesity, heart ailments, bone disorders and often results in emotional problems and dog behavior quirks. Dogs with no exercise subjected to overcrowding and confinement in cages for prolonged periods, often their entire lives, develop a great variety of physical and emotional disorders.

An exercised dog may rest more calmly at home and be less nervous when left alone. Exercise can improve dogs bone and joint health, heart, and lung function. Exercise makes show dogs look better and feel better to a judge's exploring hands. (Because a happy dog looks more gorgeous).

The best exercise channels the activity of both mind and body. Some people believe that dogs need a big garden so they can get plenty of exercise. The truth is that most dogs do not exercise when they are outdoors by themselves; they spend most of their time laying in the shadow and waiting for "their people" to play with them.

You do not need to take up marathon running in order to adequately exercise your dog.

Make your walks interesting. Let your dog carry a box, a basket, or a toy while walking. Let your dog jump or balance over a tree, hide his toys, hide yourself, and most important – let him play with other dogs! Open the leash when another dog approaches, to prevent “leash-aggression”. (Don’t worry, they will not kill each other). A dog that tries to "guard" against all strangers is neither happy nor likely to live out a full lifespan. Help your dog learn to enjoy other dogs and people.

Teach your dog to retrieve. A dog who retrieves is easy to exercise. But throw the toy rather far than high. Jumping high in the air to chase it and landing awkwardly may lead to serious knee injuries.

Some games to play

FIND IT
This one is great fun for the dog. Show your dog a treat or his favorite toy, and then place it out of his sight but easily accessible in a dark room. Tell him to SEEK - his success you will praise enthusiastically. Obviously, the rewards for the dog are multiple - he gets a treat or finds his toy plus a very happy handler. If using a toy, be sure to reward his find with some play before starting again.
You can increase the difficulty of FIND IT by hiding the dogs treats in less accessible places, like in a shoe, or on a low shelf. This can be practiced indoors as well as anywhere else!

Alternative exercise:

Tunnel exercise - Make a tunnel or maze with some old cardboard boxes or chairs and encourage your dog to explore and go through it.

Concentration exercise – Hide some treats inside an old wash-glove or in a rolled up towel, this is fun for your dog!

Brain exercise – Turnover a bowl and hide the treats under it. Doggie must use his creativity to turn the bowl and get all treats. That is exciting exercise!

that should be enough,dogs like that and mine (collie) could gop on forever so they endager themselves by tiring themselves and dehydrating

very goooooooooooooooooooooooooood
day

Answer 6

Throw a ball or frisbee for her try and find a quiet place where there are no other dogs or is you have a garden do it there also this is good training you cna work on basic commands while having fun.....make her sit before throwing the ball etc... thats what we do

Answer 7

We tend to think of dog training as a series of steps for teaching particular behaviors. To teach a dog to stay in a particular position, you reward her as she remains in place for gradually longer times, at gradually greater distances, with gradually increasing degrees of distraction. Read more https://tr.im/IpVEu

Now, this is fine, training does involve teaching dogs specific behaviors with a step-by-step approach. This week, though, I’m going to discuss three mental habits that will not only enable you train more effectively but also make life pleasant for both you and your dog.

Answer 8

Walking is not exercising for a dog. Find a Dog park and take her there, let her run with other dogs, play frezebe with her etc that will drain her out!!, I go to the dog park almost every day with my cocker (sport dog) and after 1 hour his tongue is hanging out and he's exhausted. Good luck!

Answer 9

what about taking her to the beach or park and throwing a ball or frisby for her. that way you dont have to run as much as she does.

as long as she brings the ball back!

or get a stick and throw it in the water if she likes water. its a great way to tire a dog out.

Answer 10

that should be enough,dogs like that and mine (collie) could gop on forever so they endager themselves by tiring themselves and dehydrating themselves, its up to the owners to make sure they dont over do it, why not start obedience classes mayb this will calm her down