Why put all this attention towards having a calm and balanced dog?

You’ll feel better! We can also absorb agitation from our dog in much the same way we ‘pick up’ agitation from someone we are around who is highly stressed. The very good news is that by providing the right amount and type and amount of focused exercise for your dog can result in a material effect on your state of calm and balance. A calm dog brings a calming effect to you. (Have you met Lizzie here at K9 Awareness?) You both win, and in a very good way.    

How do I know when my dog is satiated?
As your dog settles into their migratory pace you soon notice a change into a relaxed state in their appearance. The dogs that whine at the beginning become quiet; the dogs that strain forwards against the leash, settle onto a loose leash; the anxious dogs have their tail up and have lost the fearful look in their eyes. This is the goal and a sign that finally they have let go and are relaxing. The time it takes for each dog to reach this perceptibly differs. However, if fit and healthy they can keep going for the full time set for them. Might as well let them relax into this normal and instinctively satisfying state.

Should your dog begin to lag way back and cannot maintain the speed set we reduce it to a more comfortable pace for the rest of the set time. The main objective is your dog becomes relaxed and balanced having expended any energy that might otherwise be channeled into actions we don’t like.

With regular focused exercise your dog becomes more relaxed, calmer and content all the time. They also become more at ease in their ability to be social with other dogs. In this state they pay better attention to commands, allowing training to take place more successfully.