You come home and open the door to a complete mess. The garbage can is knocked over their is leftovers, paper towels, coffee, egg, and whatever else you threw away that day scattered all over the house. You know exactly who did it. You can feel your emotions flowing with anger because you just got home from a long work day and the last thing you wanted to do was get home and clean up a huge mess.
You notice the dog has not come running up to you like their usual greeting. So you walk threw the house into the living room, and there behind the couch you hear a tail thumping and can barely see your dogs eyes as the pier over the footrest.
You start saying things like “did you do this?” “Did you have fun today?” “Why?” as you walk toward your dog. You notice their ears are pinned they’re hunched over and they look guilty but happy at the same time. Immediately you think to yourself. Ugh I know you know what you did, why would you do this. You mumble and talk to your dog the entire time you’re cleaning the mess hoping they will feel bad enough they wont do it again.
Some even go to the extent of putting their dog on time-out or putting them outside for a few hours. Others may even rub their dogs nose in it to show them thats not appropriate behavior.
But the thing is YOU should rub your own face in it and be scolding yourself. Why?
Because when dogs do things such as get into the garbage or chew up your favorite pair of shoes its not because they’re mad you left them home alone all day. Or they’re maliciously getting back at you for not letting them sleep on the bed last night. No, not at all, not even close.
You dog is basically flashing red lights and sirens waving flags and jumping up and down trying to tell you that they are BORED! They have so much pent up energy that they cant control it anymore and they need an out. They need to find a release or they’re going to go absolutely bat shit crazy. They are trying to let you know that instead of sleeping in, you should have woken up and taken them for a walk. Or left them with a frozen kong filled with their breakfast and peanut butter. They’re trying to tell you they need HELP that only you can give to them.
Dogs don’t feel guilt like we do. They don’t do things to get back at you or hurt you. They don’t chew, bark all day, or eat the garbage because they hate you or are angry with you. They do it because its their only way to get that energy out that they can no longer keep contained. They don’t know what they’re allowed to destroy and what they cant. They just pick the most interesting thing at that moment.
Dogs NEED exercise and mental stimulation. They need a quick 15min basic training exercise before you leave for the day or a good 30min walk. WHY? because they have needs that need to be met or they will go bonkers. They need a quick 30min walk, or a new toy they wont destroy in 5 seconds. They need brain games or a fun game of fetch to help get that energy out before you leave them home alone all day to fend for themselves.
IF WE DON’T GIVE OUR DOGS AN OUT FOR THIR ENERGY, THEY WILL DO IT THEMSELVES OFTEN IN WAYS WE DON’T LIKE.
Photo by Matthias Zomer on Pexels.com
A tired dog is a good dog. A quote that is so true to the core. If your dog is tired they will more than likely sleep while you’re gone. Rather than get into things they shouldn’t. The thing is how much exercise does your dog need? Well that depends on breed, age, outside access. Some dogs need a good 10 mile run next to a bike, some just need a quick little walk around the block, others may just need a good bone or a quick 10 min training season to make them tired. Heck some dogs may just need to be let out in the backyard to sniff around for 45min. But if you come home and your dog has destroyed the house that should be your first indication that your dog needs MORE exercise.
Don’t blame your dog for chewing, digging, or destroying things you like. You should be blaming yourself because your dog cant take himself for a walk, even though he would if he could. You are the key holder to your dogs exercise and their out for pent up energy. So don’t get mad, rather take a breath and take your dog for a nice long walk to burn off that energy!
Exercise your dogs, your house will thank you for it!
~D