It’s a Balancing Act

“All work and no play…..”, everyone is probably familiar with that statement.  There are so many things in life that we must balance in order to enjoy life without feeling stressed out.  There are the pressures of work, children, relationships, health and leisure time.  We try to fit it all in so that we can get a little bit of everything in the right measure, of course this does not always happen.  Work is overloaded and we end up taking it home, the kids or a significant other need attention and you haven’t relaxed and had five minutes to yourself in 3 weeks.  Then of course you have to take the dog or dogs for a walk but that is a pain in the neck because they are horrible on a leash, so they end up not getting out at all. All of these things add stress to our life, as a result we implement some time management skills to help overcome it and make time for everything; this balance may indeed be different for each individual.

Dogs also need balance which will differ from dog to dog depending on each individuals needs and the particular dog.  Lets take a high energy, high drive dog, a Border Collie or Labrador Retriever for example. These particular dogs may require more exercise than lets say a lower energy dog like a Basset Hound. (I don’t like to be breed specific because it is not always the case).  It is the high energy dogs I would like to speak about.

There are many outstanding high drive dogs that will go for that ball or Frisbee until your arm is falling off.  If this dog is not getting the exercise he requires this often leads to frustration and pent up energy that will eventually come out in some other form, they need an outlet physically as well as mentally!  However, we can’t just bring our dogs to the point of exhaustion before they can calm themselves.  It is important that these dogs be taught to chill out and relax according to your schedule.  If the dog is not taught to calm, and is always “on” he may perhaps always be on edge.

Dogs should also be taught to pay attention to their owners through training. Does this mean you want to train your dog 8 hours a day?  Of course not, but training also needs to be balanced; some dogs need more processing time, among other things, and of course each dog is different.

If you are thinking about adding a new dog to your household choose one that perhaps has an energy level similar of that to your own. If you are the type of person that is not too active, you may perhaps want to choose a dog with an energy level that matches your own.  They still need to go for walks and to be exercised, trained, and mentally stimulated but the physical exercise requirements may be a bit less.

Play with your dog, challenge your dog mentally, exercise your dog, train your dog, monitor your dog, and most definitely let your dog be a dog; this is all so very important.  Balance these things out appropriately depending on the individual needs of your dog.  Your dog will love you for it!!!

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Return to “Jokerland”

Earlier this week, we were setting up for class and I saw Joker and Kevin strolling towards our training area; they were a good distance away so I didn’t notice anything in particular.  Off-leash heel has been a work in progress for some time now, and guess what?  We were witnessing progress!!  Joker, the dog that would circle around you as you walked and treat you like a sled if you let him, had just heeled off-leash passed other dogs, other people, birds, squirrels, you name it.  I had noticed that Kevin had a leash in his hand but did not know that it was not attached!!  Kevin then put Joker into a sit about 25 feet from our training area and continued on, leaving Joker behind in a sit while he kept his motion.

Kevin approached and said “This is not my dog”.  We looked at him a bit dumbfounded.  He went on to say that he should turn around and go home because Joker just heeled off leash from the car to our training area and that he had better quit now and end on a good note.  Kevin did end up staying for class and Joker was given permission to visit Jokerland a few times that session and be a complete goofball.  Below is a picture of Joker after returning from Jokerland.

We love to share stories like this with everyone.  Please feel free to check out our other client stories for more great experiences.

Eco-Nap

Eco Slumber Bed

Sleep in eco heaven by getting your dog an Earth friendly pet bed! Eco Slumber™ bed combines eco fabric, made with 85% recycled IntelliLoft™ fibers and then filled with our 100% recycled IntelliLoft™ fiber fill.

Even better this bed is Certified Safe by third party testing! You and your furry friend can rest comfortably, knowing that every part of this bed has been rigorously tested for over 100 potentially harmful substances and found to be 100% Safe!

Who knew that purchasing a high quality, retro dog bed would help divert plastic from landfills and reduce energy use?!

Featuring a zipper opening to remove cover, both pillow and cover are machine washable. Made in Montana, USA.

Sizes: Small 21″ x 15″ x 5″, Medium 27″ x 21″ x 5″, Large 33″ x 27″ x 6″

Nina Ottosson Dog Spinny

The Dog Spinny by Nina Ottosson is rewarding for both you and your dog. The object of this interactive game is to teach your dog how to get the food hidden within the game. Your dog will learn to dislodge the bone in order to spin the toy in either direction to obtain his reward.

This is a great, fun way to incorporate some mental stimulation into meal time and will also aid in slowing down a quick eater.  Supervision is required and do not let your dog chew or bite the toy or the plastic dog block. This game is specifically designed for dogs.

Nina Ottosson dog puzzle toys are a very valuable resource for all pet owners to have, they’er used by dogs and other animals and their owners in many countries. These interactive dog toys are also recommended by dog psychologists, veterinaries, dog-trainers and other dog-owners.

Kong Genius Leo

The KONG Genius Leo is named in honor of genius Leonardo da Vinci, and it is designed to stimulate a dog’s curiosity and hold her attention.

This toy is great for helping to deal with your dog’s boredom and separation anxiety and can be used as a treat-dispensing toy on its own or it can be connected to other Genius toys for an increased challenge.

Genius toys are great for puppies and adult dogs alike and are perfect for use with Kong IQ Treats.

Small = 5″     Medium = 6.5″     Large 7.5″

Kong IQ Treats

Boost your pup’s IQ!

Made with 100% baked salmon, Kong® Stuff’N IQ treats are a tasty source of Omega 3 acids, famous for their genius-fortifying properties.

IQ Treats are perfect for KONG Genius toys, KONG Wobbler, or other toys.

These irresistible salmon snacks are the perfect healthy treat for any dog.

The Kong IQ treats come in a 12 oz bag.

Antlerz

Antlerz are a totally new, 100% natural, mineral rich, long lasting dog chew. The new chew is made from a natural material that is rich in minerals, does not splinter and comes from a completely renewable source: Deer Antlers!

Antlerz hold up substantially longer than most traditional chews made from plastic, bone, or compacted starch. A minerals analysis of these dog chews show high concentrations of calcium and phosphorus, with trace amounts iron, zinc, and sodium.

Unlike processed livestock bones Antlerz don’t chip or splinter when they are being used by even the most aggressive chewing dogs.  A dog’s chewing action grinds Antlerz down slowly.

Deer antlers are a 100% natural, mineral rich dog chew that contains no plastics, no petrochemicals, no empty starches or artificial flavors.

Medium Approx. Size: Length 4″ – 4.5″, Diameter .75″ – 1″     Jumbo Approx. Size: Length 5″ – 6″, Diameter 1.5″ – 2″

Rawhide Chips

Wholesome Hide Large Beef Chips are great for that anytime snack reward – and won’t break the bank!

Unlike most dog chews made from older, thinner imported hides, Wholesome Hide Rawhide chews are always made from the freshest, thickest beef hides available in the United States.

Wholesome Hide Rawhide Treats are healthier for dogs than most imported rawhide chews. That’s because fresh U.S.A. hides don’t need to be processed with harsh, potentially dangerous chemicals.

Wholesome Hide Rawhide Treats also contain the “Collagen Layer” which simply doesn’t exist in lower quality imported hides. This flavor layer, which remains intact due to Wholesome Hide’s natural processing, adds intense flavor to our chews. That’s why dogs choose Wholesome Hide rawhide over imported products time and time again.

Rawhide Chips come packaged in 1lb bags.