December 16, 2011
Posted in Pet Health

Dogs love to be outside, roaming the backyard, exploring new scents and tracking other animals. However, allowing them to do so without supervision can be detrimental to the pooches' well-being. Giving a dog the freedom to come in and go out as it pleases can actually cause a number of behavioral problems, including escape behavior, fence fighting, digging or inappropriate chewing. Leaving your pooch outside alone can also put it at risk for dognapping or potentially getting into a fight with another canine.

According to the news outlet, some owners may think that their dogs enjoy being outside and that the freedom is a good thing, however canines who spend most of their time in the backyard actually lack the mental stimulation and physical exercise they require. Because of this, most will look for ways to get out their pent up energy. This is when they tend to get into trouble.

Dogs tend to lead with their stomachs, so searching for food in their times of boredom in the backyard is highly likely. You may notice your pooch wandering around the yard for hours with its nose down in hot pursuit.

Certain breeds like Labrador retrievers are bred to hunt and retrieve, so if they are left to themselves for a prolonged period without exercise, they may start to create their own jobs. This can translate into undesired behavior, including barking along the fence as dogs or people walk by its property.

Although there are concerns about leaving your pooch outside, dogs do need to enjoy fresh air, so it's up to you to ensure they engage in natural play safely. As a general rule, leaving your dog outside for short periods is OK, as long as the animal isn't stressed out. During these times, it's important to keep the pooch entertained so it won't develop bad behaviors. To keep it content, try sprinkling bits of its pet food around the yard for something real that it can seek out. Giving it a toy like the Buster Food Cube that it needs to move around to dispense small amounts of its Wellness Super5Mix Dry Dog Food may also work.

If it must stay outside for prolonged periods for a certain reason, be sure to provide it with a shelter – somewhere to stay free from the elements. Fill it with pet supplies like a Pillow Dog Bed and a Durapet Dog Bowl for water. Walking it for at least 30 minutes each day may also help keep it content.
 

Related posts:

1. What to do if your pooch gets vertigo
2. Keeping your pooch healthy is good for you
3. Is aspirin safe for pets?
4. Make a resolution to keep your dog safe
5. Taking a safe walk in the woods