Indoor Dogfishing ? Fun Way To Exercise A Small Or Medium Size Dog
When I had a Toy Poodle, I used a small beanie baby toy tied to a twenty foot long cord to exercise him for at least ten minutes at a time, twice a day. I'd throw it across the room and he'd run after it to snatch it up, fueled by canine fantasies of ripping it apart.
But he knew he wouldn't be able to act out his warrior instincts if he brought it back to me - which is why I had it tied to a cord. As once he got hold of it, that was the only way I could get it back, unless I wanted to chase him around under tables.
Most of the time I'd start yanking on the cord as soon as the toy landed, and he'd have to pounce on it to keep it still long enough to grab it in his mouth. But frequently, I'd be too quick for him - and I was able to get it past his lightening fast paws. Then I would pull the toy across the floor as fast as I could reel the cord in, while he ran after it like a cat chasing a mouse.
He'd usually lose those races, and would have to wait for me to throw it again. But this way he knew the game wasn't fixed, and that it required genuine skill on his part in order for him to 'win the prize' - which made it all the more exciting for him.
When he was successful in keeping me from getting the toy past him after it landed, he'd clamp down on it with as much force as his Toy Poodle jaws would allow. Then he'd continually shake it while I pulled the toy, and him, back to me.
He even 'applied his brakes' frequently during the process, and played tug of war with me - quickly scooting backwards about three feet whenever I allowed a little slack in the cord. This was like reeling in an eight pound dogfish that was on steroids. But after slowly dragging him across the floor to within arms reach of me, he would suddenly release his alligator grip on the toy and let me have it.
Then he immediately tensed up and assumed a position to spring after it when I threw it again. But he watched it very intently until he actually saw it fly past him, because he had been fooled too many times in the past when I just pretended to throw it.
During those occasions, he ran to the area where he was expecting it to land, and would then look back at me with a puzzled expression - wondering what had gone wrong. When he saw me laughing and dangling the toy in front of me, he'd instantly get a big grin on his face. Then he'd come charging back at me full speed in order to do a Toy Poodle version of a drop kick on my knee.
But I'd usually throw the toy before he reached me - which resulted in him slamming on his brakes, and then running back to where he had just been. So he soon learned to wait by my side until he was sure that I had really thrown it.
He never got tired of this game, and would have done it for hours at a time if he had been able to coax me into playing with him for that long. This daily tug of war was so entertaining for me - I never got tired of it either. As it was a lot like going fishing every day, without any of the hassles or expense. Plus, I was guaranteed to catch 'a big one' every time I 'cast my line out'. Another benefit was that I could reuse the same bait over and over. :)
Whenever I walked towards the file cabinet that I initially kept the toy on, he thought it was playtime and would start prancing around and barking. To avoid disappointing him several times a day with false alarms, I had to keep the toy stored inside an out of the way cabinet when it wasn't 'in use'.
Needless to say, this is excellent exercise for indoor dogs, as well as being great for their mental health. As it gives them a fun activity to look forward to each day, etc. Thus it can only serve to extend their life to a ripe old age if done on a daily basis. It would also be a lot of fun for you!
So if your dog's exercise routine consists of nothing more than slow-paced back yard sniff patrols, you may want to give this technique a try. To save wear and tear on your arm, simply swing the toy by the cord in a loop and release it - allowing the momentum to carry it across the room.
If you have a lazy dog, you may need to tease him with the toy first, to get him riled up enough to want doggy revenge. Simply place it on top of his head, and 'walk' it across his back, etc. Then when you finally throw it, he'll be more motivated to run after it so he can give it a good shaking. :)
Once he experiences the 'thrill of the chase' a few times, it will likely become habit forming, and he'll want to keep doing it. Unless he's just not into chasing stuffed animals. Ironically, as much fun as my dog had with this game, he wanted absolutely nothing to do with ANY type of ball. Whenever I rolled one past him, he would just glance at it for a second and then ignore it. So whether your dog takes to this dogfishing sport will undoubtedly depend on his personality.
Obviously, this exercise method wouldn't be practical to use with all dogs, since large dogs would probably win a tug of war with most people. The problem with the dog winning is that it could create a top dog power struggle over who should roll onto their back as "a sign of submission". Meaning that your dog may get the idea that he's the new pack leader in your family.
It would also be a bad idea to play this game with an aggressive breed of dog. Because if he gets loose, his canine brain may kick into 'game mode' if he sees a jogger running by - which could result in serious injuries for the jogger, as well as criminal charges for you.
If your dog has a loose tooth, then the game is over before it starts, due to excessive pressure from the toy causing him pain. This would be a good cue for you to take your dog in for a thorough teeth cleaning - as your veterinarian will be able to pull any loose teeth that he finds during the procedure.
In fact, annual teeth cleanings/dental checkups are crucial for the overall health of your dog. As a single loose tooth can result in serious health problems due to bacteria getting into the bloodstream - and can wind up costing you a lot more than preventative teeth cleanings would have cost. (Check out article #35 on my Web site for some good information on canine periodontal disease.)
Also, I never tried this dogfishing game on a carpeted floor, so I have no idea what the results would be. It's conceivable that a thick carpet would give even a small dog a big advantage in a tug of war. Which might allow an excessive amount of pressure to be exerted on fragile bones, teeth, etc. So before pulling too hard, you should consult your veterinarian to determine if this activity would involve any risk for your particular dog.
Visit my Web site for other interesting articles: http://www.mostwanteddogs.com
Copyright © 2005 G. Metcalf. All rights reserved.
 Google News Updated : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:50:53 GMT Gay Marriage Is Ruled Legal in Connecticut - New York Times
New York Times - In Hartford, Crystal Pretzman of Willimantic, Conn., celebrated the State Supreme Court's decision to legalize same-sex marriage. Video: Connecticut Court Allows Gay Marriage Marriage ruling not the end of debate in Conn. Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:13:08 GMT US space tourist set for blast-off - Reuters
Reuters - By Maria Golovnina BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan (Reuters) - US video game magnate Richard Garriott will blast off into space aboard a Russian spaceship on Sunday watched by his father, a NASA astronaut who went into space at the height of the Cold War. US space tourist set for launch Russian space chief reassures US partners Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:10:50 GMT Nobel Peace Prize winner wants jobs for the young - International Herald Tribune
International Herald Tribune - AP HELSINKI, Finland: Nobel Peace Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari said Saturday that finding jobs for more than 1 billion young people in the Middle East and Asia will be a major challenge to peacebuilding in the next decade. Video: Ex-Finland President Wins Nobel Peace Prize Nobel Finn Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:12:07 GMT GOP Officials Hope for Stability From McCain - New York Times
New York Times - By ADAM NAGOURNEY and ELISABETH BUMILLER Republican leaders across the country said Saturday that they were worried that Senator John McCain was heading for defeat unless he brought stability to his presidential candidacy and settled on a clear message ... Antiwar Protestor Disrupts McCain Iowa Rally Obama needs 75 percent turnout in Philadelphia, says Rendell Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:23:47 GMT World is united to tackle financial crisis, IMF says - MarketWatch
MarketWatch - By Rex Nutting WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Financial policymakers from 180 nations around the world are united in their resolve to tackle the financial crisis, Youssef Boutros-Ghali, head of the International Monetary Fund's policy committee, ... G7 nations face going cap in hand to China Finance officials comments at IMF meetings Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:23:46 GMT YouTube to play full TV episodes with ads - Afterdawn.com
Afterdawn.com - Google has announced that it will begin offering full-length TV episodes through its YouTube platform beginning this week, thanks to a content deal with CBS. YouTube to Offer TV Shows With Ads Strewn Through YouTube beams up Star Trek for long-form video, prominent new ads Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:13:12 GMT Got $700 Billion? Sweat the Details - New York Times
New York Times - The bailout plan gives Henry M. Paulson Jr., the Treasury secretary, three broad choices in buying assets. By ALAN S. BLINDER THE House of Representatives was against the bailout bill before it was for it. US firms up plan to buy into banks to stem crisis Paulson Indicates Need to Purchase Bank Equity `Soon as We Can' Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:39:07 GMT Display RSS Feeds on Your Website |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Dog training is not rocket science and is not as... Read More I'm sure you're aware of the bad reputation Pitbulls have.... Read More So what does it mean to float a horse's teeth?... Read More After years of practicing both conventional and holistic medicine for... Read More One of the benefits of registering your pet with a... Read More Many people feel that taking the time to train their... Read More Proper training of your dog should begin when he is... Read More This is general information on Discus, a member of the... Read More Do you have a puppy that jumps on you, company... Read More Let's say you've made up your mind on the breed... Read More While your friends and family are amazed that you're raising... Read More Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More Is your bird a seed only eater? Did you know... Read More Ringworm is an annoying, highly contagious fungal disorder that is... Read More Pomeranians have tiny mouths and itty bitty teeth, but not... Read More You want your dog to swim?We're going to try to... Read More Our dogs are now, more than ever, a very important... Read More Five years ago this August a funny little puppy came... Read More You may have heard that pets have been scientifically proven... Read More How do you build a goldfish pond outdoors?The tools you... Read More Are you thinking about getting some discus then and want... Read More Most people who have horses would like to develop a... Read More Every year, many cat owners decide to get their cat... Read More It is important to choose a sugar glider breeder carefully.... Read More Arthritis refers to inflammation or swelling in a joint. The... Read More
Adsense
websites
Universal Principles For Successful Dog Training
You Dont Get a Second Chance!
Float a Horses Teeth -- What Does that Mean and Why is it Necessary?
Comparison of the Cost and Effectiveness of Holistic Horse Care versus Conventional Care
One Of The Benefits Of Using RecoveryPets.Com
Training Your Dog?Is It Worth The Effort Or Is It Just A Waste Of Time?
Train Your Dog With Respect
A Reference Guide for Symphysodon Aequifasciatus (Discus)
Does Your Dog Have An Irritating Jumping Habit?
Westie Puppies For Sale ? 7 Important Questions To Ask Your West Highland Terrier Breeder
Dog Breath-It Doesnt HAVE to Be SO Bad!
Seeing Past Cuteness When Selecting the Best Dog Breed For You: Part 2 of 3
Healthy Diet for Your Parrot
Dealing With Canine Ringworm
Caring For Your Pomeranians Teeth
Teach a Dog To Swim
What You Should Know About Dog Health Care
Toby ? My Whirling Twirling Sheltie
Five Powerful Reasons Why Owning A Pet Could Make You Live Longer
Goldfish Outdoors
Basic Discus Fish Care
What Are The 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With Your Horse?
7 Good Reasons to Have Your Cat Spayed or Neutered
Sugar Gliders: How to Select a Sugar Glider Breeder
Tips that May Help Your Arthritic Dog
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Immune System Booster for Your Pets
Many chronic diseases commonly seen in pets result from immune... Read More
Westies Dogs and Your Children
Almost without exception, breeders will advertise that their favorite terrier,... Read More
Dog Rescue: Is it Right for You?
Ever had a hankering for a certain breed of dog?... Read More
The TOP 7 Mistakes Horse Owners Make
Mistake #7 ? Assuming You Can Get On Any Horse... Read More
How To Save Money By Testing For Feline UTI Yourself
Do you want to save money, anxiety for your kitty,... Read More
Did You Know?
German Shepherds were among the first dogs trained for police... Read More
Protecting the Smallest Member of Your Family: A Step-by-step Guide to Pet Insurance
Let's face it ? Fido and Fluffy are an important... Read More
Pet Pampering Business is Booming
It's no secret that Americans love their pets. In fact,... Read More
Here?s a Way To Make Your Dog Love Its Dog Crate!
A dog crate is a necessity for your dog, through... Read More
Help Your Dog Become a Good Canine Citizen
Is your dog a gentleman or lady? If so, you... Read More
Essential Oils and Our Pets
Before we talk about using the essential oils, we first... Read More
Build A Better Mousetrap, And People Will Buy It
This is an old saying that many of us have... Read More
Is YOUR Child Ready for a Dog?
Are you considering buying a dog for your child or... Read More
Pet Adoption: The Right Choice
Pet adoption is a fabulous option if you're seeking a... Read More
Unusual Breeding Behaviour in Wild Caught Archocentrus Sajica
I would like to write a few words about my... Read More
Need a Low-Maintenance Pet? Try a Tarantula!
If you're like me, then you don't really have the... Read More
Your Purrrfect Companion
Out of all the pet animals, the cat is most... Read More
Stop! Dont Give Your Cat That Chocolate!
"Where's the harm? My cat seems to enjoy chocolate and... Read More
Herding and the German Shepherd Dog
Once other animals such as cattle, sheep and goats became... Read More
How Many Dogs Are Too Many?
I'm a pariah among the dog fanciers in my community.... Read More
Understanding Dog Fleas: How Fleas Breed & Affect Your Dogs Health
Fleas belong to the insect order Siphonaptera. They are common... Read More
Dog Training - How To Win Your Dogs Confidence
Settling a puppy into a new home successful is often... Read More
Buy Dog Travel Supplies Online
Dog Travel SuppliesThe shopping part along for dog travel supplies... Read More
Dog House Training: Straightforward Advice
Making sure that accidents don't happen in the first place... Read More
Why Dont I Understand My Dog?
I have encountered folks who have complained to me about... Read More
Pet |