The problem with upping a Dutch Shepherd's exercise, to make him more fit.....
is that then he's in fantastic shape, and requires more exercise to maintain a level of sanity. Damn.
I swear, I just can't win!!! I upped his exercise a few weeks back, and now I can't make the damn dog tired. Yesterday he got PLENTY of exercise, AND a track. (I was off work) he still wouldn't lay down, and just be calm in the house. All night long he was pacing, following me, doing the Dutchie stare down at both myself and my cat. Ugh!!!
I so need my own treadmill for the dog.
Hey Kelly - have you tried training calm behavior while you're home? I mean it sounds like he might be used to the idea that "mom's home, it's time to go, go, go!"
ReplyDeleteWhat I'd try if I had a dog that didn't want to stop would be take him outside and exercise, work him good. Then bring him inside and train calm behaviors - like put him on a blanket and reward first for just staying there, but then try to capture and reward behavior that shows that he's relaxing just a bit. I was amazed how quickly I had a solid relaxed down with Kipp when I started actively rewarding as he relaxed. He went from tightly coiled, what do I do next to laying there with his head between his paws in just a couple of sessions.
We've done LOTS of that, especially with his history of SEVERE Separation Anxiety.
ReplyDeleteOverall, Koenig's got outstanding house manners. He has a relatively reliable off-switch, is safe with the kids, generally OK with the cat (but isn't above nose-jabbing her now and then!) In the house, he's asked to be calm, nearly 90% of the time. If he just can't settle, then goes normally goes into his crate. He's a Dutch, and at that, he's more then likely a KNPV bred dog, which are HARD, WORKING dogs, that sometimes cannot even be kept in a house. They've got a reputation, I guess I can just leave it at that. ;)
The house manners he has are better then many labs, or 'ordinary' dogs I know, but at some point, I've just got to settle with what he'll give me. He'll never be a low key (totally relaxed) house dogs, and that's alright. It's just not in his nature, or breed. He can lay down, and be as alert as he'd like, so long as he's (mostly) staying where I asked. I think Koenig's version of a nice relaxed down is as good as it'll ever get without drugs. Honestly, not trying to make excuses "my dog can't do that" kinda thing.... But he's a brindle. They're a ...special... sort.
In all fairness to Koe, it's probably at least partly the cat's fault. Ours all seem to like to egg the dogs on when they think we're not looking!
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