I delayed posting on this article from last month’s Animal Sheltering magazine, because I wanted the public version to go online – but this article about the importance of exercise for shelter dog’s adoptability is freaking genuis!
One of the first and most essential components of modifying almost any inappropriate behavior is proper exercise. Unless you have a team of fit volunteers who happen to be training for a marathon, it is unlikely you will be able to provide these dogs with enough walks to supply them with the amount of exercise they’ll need to become mentally and physically calm. In the beginning, hard dogs may need long stretches of exercise to make up for weeks or months of inadequate energy release and to combat the symptoms of cage anxiety.
For this reason, I highly recommend a daily, or even twice-daily, supervised, controlled romp or game of fetch in a fenced area, followed by a controlled walk. These supervised play sessions should last a minimum of 20-25 minutes (shorter durations in hot weather) and can involve Frisbees, balls, or other exercise-inducing toys. (My favorite is the Chuckit! line, which can be used to toss a tennis ball long distances without the need for slobbery ball handling.)
It is not important that the dog actually fetch the object—although this time can also be used to teach appropriate play drive and even fetching. What is important is that the dog use this time as an opportunity to appropriately release pent-up energy and get the exercise he needs, and have the opportunity to move forward unfettered, which is an inherent and necessary behavior for all dogs.
You can use a variety of toys and other tools to stimulate the dog to move during this supervised romp. If the dog is friendly and non-aggressive with other dogs, find another non-aggressive, high-energy dog and allow them to romp together (supervised, of course). You can even play a game of tag with the dog yourself, as long as this does not overstimulate the dog and lead to wild leaps at your face or tackling maneuvers.
Once the dog appears to be tiring (and happy!) from his unfettered romp, you now have an opportunity to teach him how to walk on leash and move forward with humans instead of pulling and working against them. Now that he has had the opportunity to release stored energy, his mind will be in a better state to focus on commands and comply with your wishes.
As someone who works in a shelter where the dogs are kept entirely separate and walked by volunteers on leash only, the revelation that this isn’t even close to enough exercise for even a moderately active dog was a bit of a light bulb moment.
Can you imagine cooping your own dog up in your bedroom for a week, then releasing him to someone who’s never met him to take him for a leash walk to judge his personality? No wonder our potential adopters aren’t enamored!
Get this article, print it out and GIVE IT TO YOUR SHELTER MANAGER. It will absolutely save lives.
