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Reply With QuoteI agree 100% Mark.
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I thought I'd bring up this subject after reading maxpaynes post on weight problems with working dogs.
He brought up some interesting points that I'd like to discuss and maybe get others opinions.
maxpayne wrote:
I am an avid believer that we never set routines for dogs. I hear so many Vets and some dog behaviourists stress that we should set strict routines for our dogs, as dogs thrive and are more settled when set to a routine such as walking feeds, contact time, etc..I rotate the time I feed them, and the quantity I feed them. Some days little some days I let them gorge themselves.
Most above is to never let them to be dependent on a time, place, or an amount they will receive. It is in aid of a happy home. So if I am gone for a day and a bit my dogs think nothing of it.
This I totally disagree with. I sugest that setting routines does in many instances create stress in a dog.
Many set times for feeding, walking, inside time, etc. I have NEVER set a routine for my dog. He gets fed all different times of the day and night, and his walks and inside times vary greatly. He is never set to a routine for anything. He is not conditioned by routine.
Sticking to a routine and then not being able to stick to it ourselves at times, creates stress in a dog that is conditioned to expect something at a certain time. We wire a dogs body clock to react a certain way at a certain time, and if this conditioning is maintained, then the dog still reacts as if the food, walk, or inside time is happening, even if we are unable to satisfy our dogs need at that time. This then creates stress in our dog, as we have programmed the brain to react a certain way at a certain time.
I feel the same for working dogs, kept to a consistent roster for work and or training. We can then create stress if the dogs handler is unable to carry out the conditioned roster that the dog is programmed to expect.
I stress to all my clients the importance of not getting caught up in setting a routine for their dogs.
I agree 100% Mark.
I agree and furthermore I would like to say about the feeding i feed my dogs at diferent times for only 6 days a week one day she has no food.
l concur fully also Mark. Even beyond the stress factor l find that if you base things on a routine, then the cue you think triggers an action may not be the main association for your dog. The time location and approach have all set up as associations for the dog, and without them present , you may not get the reaction to your sole stimuli, you expect.
Like Max l also vary all activities so as not to form any link at all that leads a dog to anticipate or expect this "should " happen now. The dogs seem a lot more casual towards lifes events than those programmed into a set order
Tony
I agree with Mark. No set time table.
Though my dog knows I will take her for a walk, though
sometimes I wont and she doesn't worry.
With the food, large dogs shouldn't gorge, they can get a twisted stomach,
so it isn't something I'd do with my dogs. Though she will miss a meal a times. I find it makes her keener.
ena
Agree with Mark also.
I never have routine with food and stimulus.Mine get doggy time(run free) they are penned and have house time with all meals they are fed completely seperate and my guys fast 1 day per week.They are fed in different spots,differing amounts and the male always eats first b4 the bitches unless he is out in the run.That is routine yes but nothing else is.
Training is essential for Cisco but he doesn't train 7 days a week and he does it in all weather patterns.Exercise again is frequent but not routine based.
Cheers
Amy
Having always been a person who lives for her routine, I read all of the above posts with interest. I had given very little thought to the stress created for my dogs each time something varies... of course, I know all about the stress it causes ME, so I should not be suprised.... so, if I give a few details of my daily "life" can some of you guys give me some suggestions to improve what I do?
There's just me, the dog and the cat in my home, so, each morning, I have to get up at the same time, walk the dog, feed him his breakfast and go to work. He stays home while I work and when I come home, I go inside, do the things I need to and sometimes he comes in, sometimes he stays out, sometimes I greet him and sometimes I dont. BUT, then we go for a walk, or go visit people in the car, or play at the park, come home, have dinner, relax, a small walk before bed, then bed. Repeat Mon-FriWeekends have no rigid routine.
My dog is my shadow and fairly constant companion. He does what I am doing at the time, and where I am, he is. That said, he does grizzle at times when I don't do what's expected, but then sometimes he grizzles when I put him to bed, so I am unsure whether it's distress, stress or just simply wanting more "me" time (or something else!!).
He does tend to eat at reasonably regular times, but, if he does not eat, I take the food away and present it again later (at a random time). 1 day per week he gets very little other than a bone or roo tail.
It's really hard to mix it up with just one of me and a full time job, but what do you guys think... can I do it better?
Jo
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