Giving Your Prize Pooch The Illusion Of Freedom
Despite being pack animals, most dogs are very free-spirited creatures. They will like to make their own decisions, and a lot of dog owners find that trying to restrict the behavior of an animal like this is a futile effort. Instead, as a much softer approach, this post will be teaching you how to give your dog the illusion of freedom, while keeping in full control. Most dog owners can benefit from this, even if their dog is very obedient.
The Leash
In the time you’ve spent walking your dog, you’ve probably spent a good deal of time fighting against the pull of your dog. While they don’t mind being on a leash, having something short and restrictive will often make a dog act out, as they won’t have the chance to explore properly. An extending leash won’t cost too much, but will enable you to dog to run much more freely, giving them the illusion that they’re not bound at all. With a click of a button, you can have the leash retracted to keep the dog close to you.
The Garden
Dogs love spending time outside, even when they’re not on a walk. The sights, smells, and sounds in your garden can provide a great deal of entertainment for your dog, but there’s always the worry that they will run away. Dog fencing is designed to be extremely difficult for dogs to overcome, while also being attractive enough to keep most gardens looking nice. As time goes by, you should be able to train your dog to respect these boundaries without having them in place.
The Food
Like pretty much every other mammal on earth, dogs love to eat, and will work hard to get their paws on their next meal. Of course, though, humans are usually the ones in control of this side of life. Over the last few years, several products have hit the market which make it possible to have your dog feed themselves, without risking them overeating. These usually come in the form of electronic puzzles and games, rewarding your dog for performing a task.
The Fun
Finally, as the last, but possibly most important, area to think about, it’s time to turn your focus to your dog’s play. There are loads of automated toys on the market which can give your dog the chance to play when you’re not around. Not only are these good for keeping your dog entertained, but they can also help them to learn. Playing fetch is all well and good, but doing it every day won’t challenge your pooch, and this makes it worth getting them to play independently.
With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to start moving in the right direction with your dog. It can be a challenge to give your dog a sense of freedom, and most people don’t ever think about it. Of course, though, if it makes your dog happy, it will be well worth putting time and effort into it.
