exercise and behaviour,

I couldn't agree more. As a dog trainer myself, I see this so often. I met with a lady three weeks ago who telephoned for help with a German Shepherd. He was 10 mths old, big and very strong. She had never socialised him so he barked at strangers but because she thought he might bite someone he had never been allowed to meet people. Even though she had a car and could have driven someone out of the way, that dog had never ever been off the lead in his life. Her garden was tiny and so clearly that poor dog had never had enough exercise. Coupled with a poor diet he was a walking disaster. I gave feeding and exercise advise and we were due to meet for one on one training the following week but she phoned me two days later to say she had given him away to some bloke who lived in a caravan. I try to remain cool and professional but could cheerfully have throttled the damn woman. She had him from nine weeks old and has quite probably ruined his life. What the hell is the matter with these people.

Okay rant over now

It makes my blood boil because there are those of us with, er, 'problem dogs' shall we say and they think they have problems, spoke to a lot of people who will say 'oh mine is the same' and then you soon realise well if you took it out more often it wouldn't be. If only it were that easy for us, absolutely clueless some people, you should have to pass a test to own a dog, honestly.

I for one have a dog who without adequate exercise would be a complete loon!
Jack needs at least 1 and 1/2 hours off lead a day, which usually totals 2 hours with the walk there and back. During that time, he swims, chases a ball and plays with other dogs (sometimes). I'm out in all weathers, unlike the fair weather walkers that turned out today.

On the 2 occasions that he has not been walked ( his health or mine) he has turned into demon dog!!! I have had to invent games for him to play to keep him busy. When he hasnt had enough, he jumps at everything, becomes demanding, barks and generally makes a nuisance of himself!
Now thats missing just one walk, imagine if he were cooped up all day everyday. I have no doubt that he would become a "problem dog". I dread the day he cuts a paw or strains himself and needs to be rested.
When he's had his exercise he's just Jack.

It makes me sooo angry when people blame their own short comings as a dog owner on their pet and give it up or worse. Its no wonder these people cant get their dogs to do anything when they are too crazed to concentrate!!!!

Rant over .... calm now

Our Molly came from a rescue centre. She had been handed over as she was very destructive in the house and also kept escaping and had no recall. When reading through her profile, it stated that she was only getting 15 minutes of exercise a day!!!. It was no wonder she was destructive, she must have been bored stiff. She is a very boisterous girl and she needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Why do people get a dog when they are not prepared to put any effort into keeping them happy? Since having her here,she gets plenty of exercise and training and she hasn't shown any signs of being destructive even when we've had to leave her on her own and she doesn't try to escape either. Also the recall is now 99% perfect

I think you're so right Shona.

I can always tell when OH has given the dogs a shorter walk than normal - they never settle down quietly like they do usually.

Shona you are absolutely spot on.I have unfortunately had first hand experience of this. When my eldest was ill (last Oct to Jan) there were many days when Fudge only had short walks and missed her training class which tires her out mentally. I was unable to leave my daughter for longer periods and so had to do shorter walks and rely on other people to either walk her for me or sit with eldest.

Fudge`s behaviour was a lot worse and she was very attention seeking in the evenings. She would not clam down and settle at all. It was often like having a coiled spring, we never knew when she was going to pop. I have noticed a big difference in her nature and behaviour since things have returned to normal. Even now, when she often has pent up energy her level of collie like obsessions increases.

My Benson was a complete lunatic when I first met him at the rescue kennels. He is a VERY high energy dog and needs so much exercise.

Today for example, he's had two one hour runs with his Boxer girlfriend, and another 30 min lead walk around town. Finally, he came around school with me as I locked up.

He's now crashed out on his bed snoring for England, and he'll stay that way all night.

I agree that exercise is the key to owning a good dog (assuming there are no deep seated issues/illnesses etc).

so often a well walked well fed dog will cause no problems for folks,
Some people just seem plain lazy or ignorant of there dogs needs, tbh


Thanks for the honest answeres guys, I do get a bit tetchy with people who say they have a badly behaved dog when really they have a young under exercised or under stimulated dog who goes on to find an outlet of his own, be it frustration in the form of aggression, tearing the house to bits, escape artist,, whatever,,, I do have a wee Border terrier at the moment who has selective hearing with his owner, but im glad to say its not down to lack of walking its down to puppy anitcs,, hopefuly we will get it resolved soon though,

I walk my dog a lot - but I'm in a position to because I'm not working right now. I agree that dogs are much better when they are exercised properly.

One lady I meet sometimes has 3 bearded collies which she is barely in control of (one was knocked over on the road and killed because she didn't have him on a lead). She asked how man times a day I walked my dog. I said 3 times a day. She asked why? I said because that's how much he needs to be walked. She said 'You shouldn't walk him that often. He'll expect to be walked that much all the time'. I do walk him that much all the time!

A very good friend of mine has an 18 month old springer who is very boisterous. He's in a constant state of excitement - panting all the time, unable to stand still, chews everything in sight, pulls a lot on the lead all the time. I believe most of this is down to not being exercised enough. I feel for my friend because she has a very busy life, but maybe then the dog isn't suitable for her. But I know she loves him a lot. It's a difficult situation.