Everybody who owns a dog wants it to have the best life possible. When we speak of a balanced dog, we also refer to a happy dog. If dogs do not receive all of the following early in their life, starting at around 8-10 weeks old, they may be more likely to develop behavior issues as they age.
This information is from my experience of training dogs and consulting with people about their dogs. I take a holistic approach and evaluate not only the dog's behavior but also try to pinpoint why the dog has adopted a negative behavior as an adult, such as excessive barking, poor leash manners, jumping on people, etc. Use the following list as a guide to ensure your dog is well-balanced and happy.
Exercise:
Walking on loose leash 3-6 times a day for 10-20 minutes each
Running off leash or long lead 2-3 times a week
Mental Stimulation/Training:
5-15 minutes duration 2-3 times a day of dog training
Stop when dog mentally checks out
Integrate mental stimulation/training into walk.
Socialization:
Doggie daycare or dog park 2-3 times a week
With people in different environments
Play Time:
15-30 minutes a day with toys and owner
15-30 minutes a day with Kong or similar without owner
Training Commands Practiced Daily:
Sit - Watch
Sit - Stay
Down - Stay
Come/Recall
Affection:
Use affection as a life reward
Use affection only when dog is calm and relaxed
DO NOT use affection as a substitute for exercise or mental stimulation
Morning Routine:
Exercise (walk), food, and then affection or play…in that order.
Dogs do best on a structured routine and will adapt quickly.
PLUS...Create rules, boundaries, and limitations for the dog and enforce them.
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