Indoor Dogfishing ? Fun Way To Exercise A Small Or Medium Size Dog

When I had a Toy Poodle, I used a small beanie baby toy tied to a twenty foot long cord to exercise him for at least ten minutes at a time, twice a day. I'd throw it across the room and he'd run after it to snatch it up, fueled by canine fantasies of ripping it apart.

But he knew he wouldn't be able to act out his warrior instincts if he brought it back to me - which is why I had it tied to a cord. As once he got hold of it, that was the only way I could get it back, unless I wanted to chase him around under tables.

Most of the time I'd start yanking on the cord as soon as the toy landed, and he'd have to pounce on it to keep it still long enough to grab it in his mouth. But frequently, I'd be too quick for him - and I was able to get it past his lightening fast paws. Then I would pull the toy across the floor as fast as I could reel the cord in, while he ran after it like a cat chasing a mouse.

He'd usually lose those races, and would have to wait for me to throw it again. But this way he knew the game wasn't fixed, and that it required genuine skill on his part in order for him to 'win the prize' - which made it all the more exciting for him.

When he was successful in keeping me from getting the toy past him after it landed, he'd clamp down on it with as much force as his Toy Poodle jaws would allow. Then he'd continually shake it while I pulled the toy, and him, back to me.

He even 'applied his brakes' frequently during the process, and played tug of war with me - quickly scooting backwards about three feet whenever I allowed a little slack in the cord. This was like reeling in an eight pound dogfish that was on steroids. But after slowly dragging him across the floor to within arms reach of me, he would suddenly release his alligator grip on the toy and let me have it.

Then he immediately tensed up and assumed a position to spring after it when I threw it again. But he watched it very intently until he actually saw it fly past him, because he had been fooled too many times in the past when I just pretended to throw it.

During those occasions, he ran to the area where he was expecting it to land, and would then look back at me with a puzzled expression - wondering what had gone wrong. When he saw me laughing and dangling the toy in front of me, he'd instantly get a big grin on his face. Then he'd come charging back at me full speed in order to do a Toy Poodle version of a drop kick on my knee.

But I'd usually throw the toy before he reached me - which resulted in him slamming on his brakes, and then running back to where he had just been. So he soon learned to wait by my side until he was sure that I had really thrown it.

He never got tired of this game, and would have done it for hours at a time if he had been able to coax me into playing with him for that long. This daily tug of war was so entertaining for me - I never got tired of it either. As it was a lot like going fishing every day, without any of the hassles or expense. Plus, I was guaranteed to catch 'a big one' every time I 'cast my line out'. Another benefit was that I could reuse the same bait over and over. :)

Whenever I walked towards the file cabinet that I initially kept the toy on, he thought it was playtime and would start prancing around and barking. To avoid disappointing him several times a day with false alarms, I had to keep the toy stored inside an out of the way cabinet when it wasn't 'in use'.

Needless to say, this is excellent exercise for indoor dogs, as well as being great for their mental health. As it gives them a fun activity to look forward to each day, etc. Thus it can only serve to extend their life to a ripe old age if done on a daily basis. It would also be a lot of fun for you!

So if your dog's exercise routine consists of nothing more than slow-paced back yard sniff patrols, you may want to give this technique a try. To save wear and tear on your arm, simply swing the toy by the cord in a loop and release it - allowing the momentum to carry it across the room.

If you have a lazy dog, you may need to tease him with the toy first, to get him riled up enough to want doggy revenge. Simply place it on top of his head, and 'walk' it across his back, etc. Then when you finally throw it, he'll be more motivated to run after it so he can give it a good shaking. :)

Once he experiences the 'thrill of the chase' a few times, it will likely become habit forming, and he'll want to keep doing it. Unless he's just not into chasing stuffed animals. Ironically, as much fun as my dog had with this game, he wanted absolutely nothing to do with ANY type of ball. Whenever I rolled one past him, he would just glance at it for a second and then ignore it. So whether your dog takes to this dogfishing sport will undoubtedly depend on his personality.

Obviously, this exercise method wouldn't be practical to use with all dogs, since large dogs would probably win a tug of war with most people. The problem with the dog winning is that it could create a top dog power struggle over who should roll onto their back as "a sign of submission". Meaning that your dog may get the idea that he's the new pack leader in your family.

It would also be a bad idea to play this game with an aggressive breed of dog. Because if he gets loose, his canine brain may kick into 'game mode' if he sees a jogger running by - which could result in serious injuries for the jogger, as well as criminal charges for you.

If your dog has a loose tooth, then the game is over before it starts, due to excessive pressure from the toy causing him pain. This would be a good cue for you to take your dog in for a thorough teeth cleaning - as your veterinarian will be able to pull any loose teeth that he finds during the procedure.

In fact, annual teeth cleanings/dental checkups are crucial for the overall health of your dog. As a single loose tooth can result in serious health problems due to bacteria getting into the bloodstream - and can wind up costing you a lot more than preventative teeth cleanings would have cost. (Check out article #35 on my Web site for some good information on canine periodontal disease.)

Also, I never tried this dogfishing game on a carpeted floor, so I have no idea what the results would be. It's conceivable that a thick carpet would give even a small dog a big advantage in a tug of war. Which might allow an excessive amount of pressure to be exerted on fragile bones, teeth, etc. So before pulling too hard, you should consult your veterinarian to determine if this activity would involve any risk for your particular dog.

Visit my Web site for other interesting articles: http://www.mostwanteddogs.com

Copyright © 2005 G. Metcalf. All rights reserved.

---

Are All Those Pet Vaccinations Really Necessary?

Would you like to save money and have a healthier... Read More

Owning a Wild or Exotic Cat; Information, Laws, and Advice

Have you ever dreamed of living with a bobcat or... Read More

Kids and Pets, Will it Work?

How can my child benefit from having a pet?1.Social skills... Read More

Small Dog Travel Guide

Advice!!!-Pet products that are useful, fun and enjoyable will make... Read More

Five Powerful Reasons Why Owning A Pet Could Make You Live Longer

You may have heard that pets have been scientifically proven... Read More

How to Make Your Cats Life, and YOUR Life, Happier - Training Your Cat

Imagine that you are scolding your cat for scratching at... Read More

Life with the Rat Terriers

I am a happy owner of two rat terriers. They... Read More

Dog Crate Buyers Guide - How to Choose the Right Crate and Accessories

Why use a crate:When used properly and not abused, crates... Read More

5 Tips For Choosing the Best Vet For Your Dog

Find a vet, if possible, who specializes in small animals... Read More

Why Does My Pet Eat Grass?

Are you concerned when your dog or cat eats grass,... Read More

BARF Diet For Dogs - Not As Gross As It Sounds!

Are you just starting to research the BARF diet for... Read More

Vaccinations Cause Vaccinosis - Your Pet is Being Harmed

Annual Vaccinations for Your Dog?Are they really necessary? - In... Read More

Cat Arthritis

Cat arthritis is not a very common ailment among healthy... Read More

Syrian vs. Dwarf Hamsters, What Should I Get For My Family?

As pets go hamsters are fairly easy to take care... Read More

West Highland White Terriers ? Westies- A Wonderful Breed Apart

"Westies" or West Highland White Terriers are furry coated dogs,... Read More

DOG ID TAGS-Identify and Protect Your Dog With Any of These Methods

The American Humane Society estimated that last year alone; fifteen... Read More

Does Your Dog Have Allergies?

Many people don't realize that their dogs, just like human... Read More

Shock Collars: Teaching Your Dog Basic Obedience and Breaking Bad Habits

Shock CollarsAre you at a loss as to whether or... Read More

Fat Dogs - How To Get Overweight Dogs to Diet and Slim Down Without Whining

Obesity in dogs is a growing problem, which can cause... Read More

Top 20 Dog Quotations

Get to know your beloved dog better with these insightful... Read More

Understanding Your Pets Chewing Issues

If you are beginning to feel like an endangered species... Read More

Ten Tips for Cats Who are Forced to Relocate with Their Owners

For realistic tips for humans who are moving with cats,... Read More

Who Let The Dogs Out? Pointers For In Home Dog Training

Who let the dogs out?Remember this song which gave birth... Read More

Puppy Vaccines Assure Wagging Tails and Wet Noses

When you get a new puppy it is imperative that... Read More

Facts About Rottweilers

Looking for some quick Rottweiler dog facts? Here's a quick... Read More

Tips For Traveling With Your Dog

Wether it be on a vacation to your favorite resort,... Read More

Seeing Past Cuteness When Selecting the Best Dog Breed For You: Part 2 of 3

Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More

How to Play Safely with Your Westie Puppies

Just like children, westie puppies learn through play. Playing games... Read More

How To Keep Your Cat Happy and Healthy - Playtime for Kitty

While dogs tend to get lots of exercise, cats are... Read More

The One Dog Trick That All Dogs Must Know - The Hand Shake Trick

The first dog trick that is generally taught a dog... Read More

Top 10 benefits of Natural and Holistic Pet Care

There are a number of reasons for choosing natural pet... Read More

Telepathic Communication With Animals

Animal Communication, or telepathy with animals, is as common an... Read More

Spaying or Nuetering Your Dog-Get The Facts... Be Responsible

Bringing a new puppy or dog home is a huge... Read More