Articles About Dogs

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.

Other Article Sites

findabook.com  moneycd.info  a-mortgage.info   about-lemon-laws.info  aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info  auctions-articles.info  bestcollege-university.com  bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com  blogger-website.com  books-used.info  brokers-guide.info  buywindows.info  cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com  carpel-tunnel.info  cashinaflash.info  cashloanreviews.info  casinobell.com  chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info  collegeloantips.info  crones.info  depression-articles.info   dirnic.net  dishguides.info
divers-below.com  expodog.info   financewizz.com  fire-insurance.info  getgood.info  handleit.net   it-idea.info
health-supplies.info  hosting-right.com  insidealert.com  insurance-facts.info  jobs-employment.info
justgood.info  lookgold.net   lowcost-travel.info  money-source.info  myhostzone.info  numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info  pr-articles.info  realeas.com   refinancing-guides.info  spyware-remove.info
telelot.info  the-law.info   toppaid.info  travel-deals.info  travelcorrect.com  wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info  your-credit.info

MORE ARTICLES:

Free Dog Photo Contest Offers $10,000 in Cash & Prizes Including a $1,000 Cash Grand Prize
Free dog photo contest. Enter a dog photo today to win cash and prizes totaling over $10,000, including a cash grand prize of $1,000. Entry is free.

Natural Treatments For Dog Itching And Cat Bladder Infections
The skin: why your dog is itching

How To Combat Food Allergies Of Your Dog
It is very difficult to determine the causes of food related allergy problems in your dog though the common food items that cause allergies are wheat, corn and soy. Among the essential nutrients required for health of your dog are various proteins that are also found to cause allergies in some dogs. Some dogs are also allergic to chicken, beefs and muttons. Therefore it can be said that it is very difficult to come to the conclusion that what causes allergies and what does not.

Dog And Cat Allergies
Some people cannot have cats or dogs as pets due to their allergies. Pet allergies can be excruciating if you are around animals on a daily basis. There are people who have pet cats or are living with someone who owns a dog and, for someone with allergies, this can be a problem. When it comes to pet allergies, not all allergies are the same. There are different aspects to which you might be allergic. Some allergies may be triggered by the inhaling of pet dander and hair. Hair particles are normally found in any pet owners home, especially during time of the year when the animal is shedding. Other allergies are triggered by petting an animal. People with this type of allergy might break out into a rash.

All About Dog Beds
sorts of Dog Beds

Dog Behavior Training: Methods of Working with a Shy Dog
Shy dogs are more common than most people think, but unfortunately many dogs who suffer from this affliction are never seen by the general public because of their impairment. Shy dogs range from those who scurry away when someone walks by, to those who bite when approached.

Those Amazing Dog Noses -- Fun Facts About A Chilly Little Organ
If you thought dog noses were just a source of smeary prints on your windows, think again!========How Nose Prints save dog's lives======Nose prints are used to identify dogs in the same way finger prints are used to identify human beings. Breeders and trainers keep a dog's nose prints on file as part of its permanent record and insurance companies now require them whenever a dog is to be bonded.

Brand New Dog Strollers at Pet Stroller Mart
The portable pet house is the newest in travel accessories for pets, and is part of Pet Stroller Mart's always growing product line. Portable pet houses are designed to easily fold up and pack away in the car or in the home. Its well-made design is made just for use in public places, backyards, and any other territory involved in your travels. It is also washable, and constructed out of fabrics that are maintained easily. The sturdy design is going to last a long time. This portable house can be found in various colors, and when you buy it you'll get free shipping within the continuous 48 United States.

First Public Service Dog Census Launches: Census Aims to Count Every Service Dog in the US
The first public census of Service Dogs officially launches with the goal to count every Service Dog in use in the United States.

Dog Obedience Training, The Secrets
Initially, what is necessary if you decided to train your dog The first plan is usually the most essential thing to perform and also ignored

What You Need To Know To Keep Your Dog Safe In Your Car
Man's Best Friend is a great companion around the home, but Rover will love joining you on road trips - short or long - as well. If you've tried taking your dog along in the car before and met with bad results, don't give up.

How to buy Dog Gear for your Precious Dog
So, youre welcoming a yelping, slobbering, panting and messy new member into the family? Congratulations! The next few months will be hard, but youre all set to ride on the ride of a lifetime.

VIP.com Releases Odds for Westminster Kennel Dog Show
Online sportsbook offering odds on the upcoming Westminster Kennel Dog show. Here are some of the odds available: 1. Which dog will be the Best in Show winner? 2. What sex will the Best in Show winner be? 3. Which group will produce the Best in Show winner? 4. What will the age of the winner be?

What You Should Know About Dog Training
When it comes to training your dog, you don?t really have to make too many expenses just to achieve that desire Dog training can happen without a trainer?s aid