best way to WORK a dog

[tz1]

I really wish I had a big indoor pool that he could swim in...I heard that swimming is really tough for dogs and tires them out pretty quick

or...one of those doggie treadmills hehe...that would be nice for the winter

there are a few dogparks around us, but the problem is he isn't neutered yet, I plan on getting him neutered when he's a little over a year old...i heard that if you neuter too early it is bad for their bones/development. he is 7 months old now.

[dab_20]

7 months old is plenty old enough!! Acctually if your dog is 6 months old, that is the best time and it is WORSE to wait after that age. Hope you find some way to burn down his energy!

[IRescue452]

Dab_20- lare breeds get neutered at about a year because it harms bone development if they are neutered sooner.

Autumn and I play catch with a ball up and down the stairs. If you are in a safe area you can play hide and seek, which takes up more of the dog's energy than yours.

[dab_20]

Ohh, sorry about that. I've never had a large breed dog before, and thought it was the same for all dogs.

[tz1]

Ye, I've just heard around that for large/giant sized breeds it is better to wait a little over a year. he's around 80+ pounds now.. pretty big! I just hope he doesn't get hip dysplasia.

[RobiLee]

Well, you probably aren't going to like my answer...lol.

I have found that the best way to tire my dogs out is the good old fashioned way...take them for a walk. It works every time!

So I say bundle yourself up, snap that leash on Zero and have yourself a nice little walk!

[finn's mom]

Well, I know with Finn, I'd have to walk him for four hours to wear him out. And, maybe one day I'll be in good enough shape to make it that far. But, for Finn, I always tire before he does. Unless it's swimming. I can kayak and he swims beside me. That has been the only way that I can wear him out without help from others. He played ball one day at the dog park for a good five hours, I had so much help, though, from other people, throwing the ball. I plan to get one of those bike attachments for sure. I'd do the car thing too if I wasn't afraid something bad would happen. I'd walk him myself for a bit, but, that would certainly help after an hour or so. Good luck!

[cali]

lol I have border collies so in my case the best way to tire em out is to work their BRAIN. for example I will put them in a stay behind an object on the deck then go and hide a toy in a play that easy to see but tricky to get to, then I tell em to "find it" because they are running around the yard jumping and climbing they are working their muscles, but at the same time that have to stay behind the object till I give the go ahead, find the object, and figer out how to GET the object, then they must bring it to my hand, and I play fetch with then for 2-3 throws and we do it again. working the mind and body together tires a dog out MUCH faster then only working one or the other.

[BC_MoM]

Well, you probably aren't going to like my answer...lol.

I have found that the best way to tire my dogs out is the good old fashioned way...take them for a walk. It works every time!

So I say bundle yourself up, snap that leash on Zero and have yourself a nice little walk!

Here here! Since the snow started coming, Mick and I have continued doing our 3 walks a day, and only miss Monday's BUT that's because I have Drivers Ed so we only get 2 walks in. The rest of the time we're either playing/training in the backyard, or playing inside or.... my favourite... SLEEPING.