Question: De-barking a Dog?
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starbuck8 Posts: 3,128, Reputation: 3753
Gone, But Not Forgotten
 
#35

Jun 1, 2008, 06:58 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChihuahuaMomma
I've actually tried walking her farther, she tries laying down. I have to wake up at 4am to get her to take that long of a walk, and she just doesn't want to. She goes to the park for 1 1/2 hours every day at five or so....usually a bit after 6.

Spinphoto--How can you be so sure that my dog isn't lonely?
Well that is awfully early to get up, before a full days work! Have you checked into professional dog walkers in the area you are moving to? Often, if you contact the ASPCA, they have walkers that they will recommend, in your price range. You may even want to get to know your neighbors in your new apt., and see if anyone would be willing to walk her, and check on her throughout the day...or they might even have older kids that would be willing to do it for spending money! If you or a dog walker has a bike or roller blades, that would be helpful to drain her energy a lot quicker too! Just make sure you start out slow, since she is probably not used to that, and keep a short leash.

I recommended a treadmill also. It might be a good investment, and time saver, so you wouldn't have to get up so early. You might be able to find a second hand one. It doesn't have to have all the bells and whistles, just something to make her walk to drain her energy, until you are home and able to take her out to the dog park.

Don't let her decide when you are going on walks. That is part of being the pack leader. She follows your lead, not the other way around. That gives her control, and you need to let her know that you are the one that is in control. Don't feel bad that because she's a little dog, that you don't want her feelings to be hurt. You are teaching her acceptable behaviour. Little dogs are no different than big dogs. They all need to be taught the same way.
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