Hi all,

I've been lurking here for quite a few months. My dog is a 9 month old
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Kiba. I brought him home at 12 weeks.
This is my first dog, sort of (a long, other story), and I'm trying to raise
him the best way I can to have a happy, healthy dog. I'm working on clicker
training, and positive reinforcement, although it sure is damn easy to say
"NO!" when you see your husband's brand new work boot go galumphing down the
hall! Or when your four month old puppy has dragged an unreachable sack of
homemade training cookies down from an unreachable table and managed to eat
so many that he literally couldn't eat one more. In other words, he's a
normal puppy. My problem is exercise. If Kiba gets lots of exercise, he
seems to be less likely to look for mischief to get into. He's happier, and
we are too. My husband can walk him, but I'm disabled and while not
wheelchair bound, cannot walk any distance, and am pretty much house bound.
My husband works shift work and isn't available more than one week out of
four. Throwing tennis balls for a retrieve works well, especially if I open
the back door and throw all the way from the living room, past the kitchen,
laundry room, across the deck and into the yard. He can get a good gallop
coming and going IF I can make the throw. Unfortunately, I'm just as likely
to hit the archway three feet in front of me, and bonk myself or Kiba in the
head with the rebound. *sigh* A pitcher, I ain't. Kiba likes those ones,
I think, because he gets a treat for bringing it back, no matter the
distance. Unless I catch it first. Then, no deal. The laser light is fun
for him to chase too, but I have to stand to run it over the carpet and I
don't stand for long periods of time. The unused treadmill in the back room
seems it could be the answer. I've had Kiba on it a few times, and he seems
to like it, although he was nervous of the motor's noise at first. He walks
fairly happily, although I do steer him with treats as he tends to a
left-hand drift. I put him in his harness and hook the leash to it. Then I
put the leash through the cupholder and clip the emergency shutoff line to
his harness. At first I just hung the shutoff line in front of me, but I
thought if he ever, for some reason, went off the back, he needs it to stop
NOW, and that would pull it quicker than my reflexes, I think. I sit in a
chair in front of the treadmill, with the leash in my right hand, and the
cookie dish near my left. Then I start the machine. I start slow, but Kiba
walks faster than slow to reach the treats, so we end up at about 1.5 mph.
He doesn't trot at that speed, just a quickish walk.
Now to my question: (sheesh, long-winded, huh?) Am I in danger of harming
Kiba with this kind of exercise? I told a friend of mine about it, who is
much older than I, and has owned many, many dogs, and she's horrified. She
says it is a repetitive activity and I'm asking for carpal tunnel, and all
kinds of repetitive injuries. While I certainly recognize and guard against
the immediate dangers of walking him on the treadmill, falling off,
startling and tripping, etc I absolutely don't want to do any long term
damage. Has anyone else exercised their dog this way? Is this a smart
solution, or a damaging one? Thanks so much for your input.

Phyrie

Kiba the Cav's pics:
http://www.flickr.com:80/photos/21333147@N00/

"Phyrie" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I've been lurking here for quite a few months. My dog is a 9 month old
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Kiba. I brought him home at 12
weeks. This is my first dog, sort of (a long, other story), and I'm trying
to raise him the best way I can to have a happy, healthy dog. I'm working
on clicker training, and positive reinforcement, although it sure is damn
easy to say "NO!" when you see your husband's brand new work boot go
galumphing down the hall! Or when your four month old puppy has dragged
an unreachable sack of homemade training cookies down from an unreachable
table and managed to eat so many that he literally couldn't eat one more.

I just want to say there is nothing wrong with saying no. Its just another
tool in your training toolbox. I generally use "ah-ah" and follow up with
"Pirate, thats not your toy, here is your toy". Its much faster than just
using rewards and a clicker and quite frankly if eating boots is rewarding,
well, he doesn't need any reward from you to be rewarded...natch?

In other words, he's a normal puppy. My problem is exercise. If Kiba gets
lots of exercise, he seems to be less likely to look for mischief to get
into. He's happier, and we are too. My husband can walk him, but I'm
disabled and while not wheelchair bound, cannot walk any distance, and am
pretty much house bound. My husband works shift work and isn't available
more than one week out of four. Throwing tennis balls for a retrieve works
well, especially if I open the back door and throw all the way from the
living room, past the kitchen, laundry room, across the deck and into the
yard. He can get a good gallop coming and going IF I can make the throw.
Unfortunately, I'm just as likely to hit the archway three feet in front of
me, and bonk myself or Kiba in the head with the rebound. *sigh* A
pitcher, I ain't. Kiba likes those ones, I think, because he gets a treat
for bringing it back, no matter the distance. Unless I catch it first.
Then, no deal. The laser light is fun for him to chase too, but I have to
stand to run it over the carpet and I don't stand for long periods of time.
The unused treadmill in the back room seems it could be the answer. I've
had Kiba on it a few times, and he seems to like it, although he was
nervous of the motor's noise at first. He walks fairly happily, although I
do steer him with treats as he tends to a left-hand drift. I put him in
his harness and hook the leash to it. Then I put the leash through the
cupholder and clip the emergency shutoff line to his harness. At first I
just hung the shutoff line in front of me, but I thought if he ever, for
some reason, went off the back, he needs it to stop NOW, and that would
pull it quicker than my reflexes, I think. I sit in a chair in front of
the treadmill, with the leash in my right hand, and the cookie dish near my
left. Then I start the machine. I start slow, but Kiba walks faster than
slow to reach the treats, so we end up at about 1.5 mph. He doesn't trot at
that speed, just a quickish walk.
Now to my question: (sheesh, long-winded, huh?) Am I in danger of harming
Kiba with this kind of exercise? I told a friend of mine about it, who is
much older than I, and has owned many, many dogs, and she's horrified.
She says it is a repetitive activity and I'm asking for carpal tunnel, and
all kinds of repetitive injuries. While I certainly recognize and guard
against the immediate dangers of walking him on the treadmill, falling
off, startling and tripping, etc I absolutely don't want to do any long
term damage. Has anyone else exercised their dog this way? Is this a
smart solution, or a damaging one? Thanks so much for your input.

My samoyed loved running on the treadmill. He was an adult dog when we got
it and he generally ran with me on it. We had a great time.

I think we've gotten hysterical about the idea of repetitive motion causing
injury in young dogs. My corgi friend told me that my new 8 month old corgi
should never jump off the couch, or go down the stairs. I think this is
crazy-talk. However, I also feel its better to err on the safe side and
not overdo.

Obviously, you don't want to treadmill the dog four hours a day, but I cant'
see how WALKING could injure a dog as long as your aren't working him past
his current capabilities.

I will also encourage you to ensure he gets enough mental stimulation - I
find that in some dogs that working their minds is as tiring as exercise.
Treat balls, puzzles and training all work great for these dogs.

"BethInAK" wrote in message
...

*snip*

I just want to say there is nothing wrong with saying no. Its just
another tool in your training toolbox. I generally use "ah-ah" and follow
up with "Pirate, thats not your toy, here is your toy". Its much faster
than just using rewards and a clicker and quite frankly if eating boots is
rewarding, well, he doesn't need any reward from you to be
rewarded...natch?

LOL... he doesn't eat them, just grabs a lace and drags them down the hall.
It's just to get our attention, usually when we're on the computer and not
paying EVERY SINGLE BIT of attention we have to him. I exaggerate here,
mind you, as he does sit on my feet quite happily when I am on the laptop,
but sometimes, if both my husband and I are playing on the desktop computers
at the same time for a long time, he gets a little miffed. And a "That is
NOT your toy!" is accepted as a reprimand. We are still working on "Drop
it". Those toilet paper rolls out of the bathroom garbage are apparently
ambrosia. (Personally, I have let him have them, but hubby freaked out when
he saw Kiba with one. The mess, oh no, the mess!! Those pesky wet chunks
of paper are a pain to get out of carpets, I guess... So I can't let him
have them any more. *sigh*)

*snip*

My samoyed loved running on the treadmill. He was an adult dog when we
got it and he generally ran with me on it. We had a great time.

How on earth did you BOTH run at the same time?? My husband joked that at
some point we'd need to get another so he could walk beside Kiba, but I just
can't imagine two on one machine, and a Samoyed at that!

I think we've gotten hysterical about the idea of repetitive motion
causing injury in young dogs. My corgi friend told me that my new 8 month
old corgi should never jump off the couch, or go down the stairs. I think
this is crazy-talk. However, I also feel its better to err on the safe
side and not overdo.

Obviously, you don't want to treadmill the dog four hours a day, but I
cant' see how WALKING could injure a dog as long as your aren't working
him past his current capabilities.

I will also encourage you to ensure he gets enough mental stimulation - I
find that in some dogs that working their minds is as tiring as exercise.
Treat balls, puzzles and training all work great for these dogs.

Oh, yes, we play all kinds of games like that. We have puzzle balls and
Kongs, and a favourite is "Throw treats out on the lawn and let a puppy find
them!". I ordered some bully sticks that came in a very sturdy cardboard
box. At least a good hour was spent trying to extricate those delicious
smelling smoked penises out of that box! Another good one, that takes up
time, is a 500 ml. plastic water bottle with a small hole cut in the side,
filled with mixed kibbles, dried liver and maybe a bit of peanut butter to
glue some pieces annoyingly to the insides of the bottle. That bottle
sometimes FLIES around the living room with Kiba batting it violently trying
to get that one last piece of liver out. Funny, he never seems to get
frustrated. We like that game, but not when Dad is trying to sleep.

Thanks for your reply. I, too, am doubtful that walking can harm my boy,
but I'm new at this pet stuff, and am determined to do a good job. So far,
I only allow 10-15 minutes on the treadmill.

Phyrie

In article ,
"Phyrie" wrote:

My problem is exercise. If Kiba gets lots of exercise, he
seems to be less likely to look for mischief to get into. He's happier, and
we are too.

This is true for most dogs!

My husband can walk him, but I'm disabled and while not
wheelchair bound, cannot walk any distance, and am pretty much house bound.
My husband works shift work and isn't available more than one week out of
four. Throwing tennis balls for a retrieve works well, especially if I open
the back door and throw all the way from the living room, past the kitchen,
laundry room, across the deck and into the yard. He can get a good gallop
coming and going IF I can make the throw. Unfortunately, I'm just as likely
to hit the archway three feet in front of me, and bonk myself or Kiba in the
head with the rebound. *sigh* A pitcher, I ain't.

Me neither. I only throw with a "chuck it". I have pretty good aim
with that. They make it for tiny tennis balls as well.

I think interactive exercise is best.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

"Phyrie" wrote in message
...

"BethInAK" wrote in message
...

*snip*

I just want to say there is nothing wrong with saying no. Its just
another tool in your training toolbox. I generally use "ah-ah" and
follow up with "Pirate, thats not your toy, here is your toy". Its much
faster than just using rewards and a clicker and quite frankly if eating
boots is rewarding, well, he doesn't need any reward from you to be
rewarded...natch?

LOL... he doesn't eat them, just grabs a lace and drags them down the
hall. It's just to get our attention, usually when we're on the computer
and not paying EVERY SINGLE BIT of attention we have to him. I exaggerate
here, mind you, as he does sit on my feet quite happily when I am on the
laptop, but sometimes, if both my husband and I are playing on the desktop
computers at the same time for a long time, he gets a little miffed. And
a "That is NOT your toy!" is accepted as a reprimand. We are still
working on "Drop it". Those toilet paper rolls out of the bathroom
garbage are apparently ambrosia. (Personally, I have let him have them,
but hubby freaked out when he saw Kiba with one. The mess, oh no, the
mess!! Those pesky wet chunks of paper are a pain to get out of carpets,
I guess... So I can't let him have them any more. *sigh*)

The samoyed people call those "to-do tubes" - as in "something to do".
To-do tubes are good for when you are on the computer. I actually save mine
for the dogs.

My samoyed loved running on the treadmill. He was an adult dog when we
got it and he generally ran with me on it. We had a great time.

How on earth did you BOTH run at the same time?? My husband joked that at
some point we'd need to get another so he could walk beside Kiba, but I
just can't imagine two on one machine, and a Samoyed at that!

we were very careful. Generally he leapt on behind me and I stayed way up
front.


I think we've gotten hysterical about the idea of repetitive motion
causing injury in young dogs. My corgi friend told me that my new 8
month old corgi should never jump off the couch, or go down the stairs.
I think this is crazy-talk. However, I also feel its better to err on
the safe side and not overdo.

Obviously, you don't want to treadmill the dog four hours a day, but I
cant' see how WALKING could injure a dog as long as your aren't working
him past his current capabilities.

I will also encourage you to ensure he gets enough mental stimulation - I
find that in some dogs that working their minds is as tiring as exercise.
Treat balls, puzzles and training all work great for these dogs.

Oh, yes, we play all kinds of games like that. We have puzzle balls and
Kongs, and a favourite is "Throw treats out on the lawn and let a puppy
find them!". I ordered some bully sticks that came in a very sturdy
cardboard box. At least a good hour was spent trying to extricate those
delicious smelling smoked penises out of that box! Another good one, that
takes up time, is a 500 ml. plastic water bottle with a small hole cut in
the side, filled with mixed kibbles, dried liver and maybe a bit of peanut
butter to glue some pieces annoyingly to the insides of the bottle. That
bottle sometimes FLIES around the living room with Kiba batting it
violently trying to get that one last piece of liver out. Funny, he never
seems to get frustrated. We like that game, but not when Dad is trying to
sleep.

Thanks for your reply. I, too, am doubtful that walking can harm my boy,
but I'm new at this pet stuff, and am determined to do a good job. So
far, I only allow 10-15 minutes on the treadmill.


I can't imagine that this is a huge deal.

"Phyrie" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I've been lurking here for quite a few months. My dog is a 9 month old
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Kiba. I brought him home at 12
weeks.
This is my first dog, sort of (a long, other story), and I'm trying to
raise
him the best way I can to have a happy, healthy dog. I'm working on
clicker
training, and positive reinforcement, although it sure is damn easy to say
"NO!" when you see your husband's brand new work boot go galumphing down
the
hall! Or when your four month old puppy has dragged an unreachable sack
of
homemade training cookies down from an unreachable table and managed to
eat
so many that he literally couldn't eat one more. In other words, he's a
normal puppy. My problem is exercise. If Kiba gets lots of exercise, he
seems to be less likely to look for mischief to get into. He's happier,
and
we are too. My husband can walk him, but I'm disabled and while not
wheelchair bound, cannot walk any distance, and am pretty much house
bound.
My husband works shift work and isn't available more than one week out of
four. Throwing tennis balls for a retrieve works well, especially if I
open
the back door and throw all the way from the living room, past the
kitchen,
laundry room, across the deck and into the yard. He can get a good gallop
coming and going IF I can make the throw. Unfortunately, I'm just as
likely
to hit the archway three feet in front of me, and bonk myself or Kiba in
the
head with the rebound. *sigh* A pitcher, I ain't. Kiba likes those
ones,
I think, because he gets a treat for bringing it back, no matter the
distance. Unless I catch it first. Then, no deal. The laser light is
fun
for him to chase too, but I have to stand to run it over the carpet and I
don't stand for long periods of time. The unused treadmill in the back
room
seems it could be the answer. I've had Kiba on it a few times, and he
seems
to like it, although he was nervous of the motor's noise at first. He
walks
fairly happily, although I do steer him with treats as he tends to a
left-hand drift. I put him in his harness and hook the leash to it. Then
I
put the leash through the cupholder and clip the emergency shutoff line to
his harness. At first I just hung the shutoff line in front of me, but I
thought if he ever, for some reason, went off the back, he needs it to
stop
NOW, and that would pull it quicker than my reflexes, I think. I sit in a
chair in front of the treadmill, with the leash in my right hand, and the
cookie dish near my left. Then I start the machine. I start slow, but
Kiba
walks faster than slow to reach the treats, so we end up at about 1.5 mph.
He doesn't trot at that speed, just a quickish walk.
Now to my question: (sheesh, long-winded, huh?) Am I in danger of harming
Kiba with this kind of exercise? I told a friend of mine about it, who is
much older than I, and has owned many, many dogs, and she's horrified.
She
says it is a repetitive activity and I'm asking for carpal tunnel, and all
kinds of repetitive injuries. While I certainly recognize and guard
against
the immediate dangers of walking him on the treadmill, falling off,
startling and tripping, etc I absolutely don't want to do any long term
damage. Has anyone else exercised their dog this way? Is this a smart
solution, or a damaging one? Thanks so much for your input.

Phyrie

Kiba the Cav's pics:
http://www.flickr.com:80/photos/21333147@N00/

===========
Wow, what a cute pup. I think this is one of the cutest breeds.
I have seen Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer use this type of exercise quite
often on his TV show. I can't see what harm it can do, as long as you don't
leave the dog unattended and don't overdue it. I agree a tired dog does
not get into much mischief. It sounds like you are doing an A+ job with
this dog.

"Phyrie" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I've been lurking here for quite a few months. My dog is a 9 month old
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Kiba. I brought him home at 12
weeks.
(snip)
Kiba the Cav's pics:
http://www.flickr.com:80/photos/21333147@N00/


Hi Phyrie, I have no advice for you but I wanted to tell you how much I
enjoyed Kiba's photos. He is beautiful and his personality just glows. I
particularly liked the photo of him flying across the ground, ears in the
air. And the monkey pictures.
Thanks for the great pics!
Karla

"filly" wrote in message
news:k2cTi.527$f63.10@trndny03...


Kiba the Cav's pics:
http://www.flickr.com:80/photos/21333147@N00/


Hi Phyrie, I have no advice for you but I wanted to tell you how much I
enjoyed Kiba's photos. He is beautiful and his personality just glows. I
particularly liked the photo of him flying across the ground, ears in the
air. And the monkey pictures.
Thanks for the great pics!
Karla


Thanks Karla! After being lambasted, on my very first post no less!, by
that crazy person Howe, it sure is nice to hear nice words. I have had him
and most of his various alias' blocked virtually since I started reading
this group, but I guess if he replies to my posts, they come through. Oh
well, delete, delete, delete. Again thanks, and I'm so glad you enjoyed the
pics. I do love that dog!

Phyrie

in rec.pets.dogs.behavior, "Phyrie"
wrote in :

Thanks Karla! After being lambasted, on my very first post no less!,
by that crazy person Howe, it sure is nice to hear nice words. I have
had him and most of his various alias' blocked virtually since I
started reading this group, but I guess if he replies to my posts,
they come through. Oh well, delete, delete, delete. Again thanks,
and I'm so glad you enjoyed the pics. I do love that dog!

He is very much a cutie.

As for Howe, you have done the right thing by blocking him. If you decide
to sitch to a different newsreader than OE, don't hesitate to ask for help
in setting it up. There are lots of different packages used here.

--
Marcel Beaudoin and Moogli