We live in a culture where we are constantly being argumentative, and viewing anyone who is trying to explain that we may be incorrect about something as a personal attack. While the age of “trolling” may be seen as a simple irritation to many, the stagnation of learning and understanding is actually harming us and those around us. Take the following example, and think about it from a reasonable standpoint, instead of the things you may or may not believe.
We are 100% responsible for our dogs, and everything that impacts their health, well-being and happiness is because of us. They are literally prisoners trapped in our houses, and are reliant upon us completely to feed them and provide for their well being. People will define themselves as “good” dog owners based upon comparisons to others that they view as “bad dog owners,” yet those “bad” people probably do not view themselves as bad, they are probably comparing themselves to others still who do less than they do. The aspects that you will define yourself through are generally nutrition, health and socialization with the amount of each that you personally do being the benchmark for where a “good dog owner” should be judged. Anyone who does something less than you, or different than you is a “bad dog owner.” People that do more than you are “crazy dog ladies” or some other disparaging term. While the definition of good and bad in this case is generally personal preference, it hurts your dog if you have stopped listening to reason and logic, or even expert advice. If you think you know everything, there is a good chance that there is something missing that is ultimately hurting your dog, simply because you did not have enough education. Because they are trapped in your house and cannot speak for themselves, they are forced to live (or die) with your decisions.
Over the course of the past few decades, there have been tremendous advances in the understanding of diet and nutrition, for both humans and dogs. We are learning more and more about how our diet and nutrition choices impact our physical and mental well being, and how our choices for our dogs impact them as well. Many of the things that have been learned are controversial, namely because we live in a time where reconsidering your position and learning new things is viewed as an attack. How dare you tell me that the things I do for my dog (or myself) might be hurting them! Are you calling me a bad dog owner? No, we are saying that we have learned new things and we ask that you consider them, for the health and well being of your dog. Your dog cannot over-ride your choices, and any mistakes that you make will generally contribute to them living a shorter and less happy life. A good example of this kind of thing is the B.A.R.F. movement. B.A.R.F. stands for “Biologically Appropriate Raw Food” and it simply means that many people believe that simulating the diet am animal would eat in the wild is better for them than overly processed canned food or kibble. As a side note, kibble was invented during the Great Depression as an alternative to meat for your dog, because people could not afford it. Kibble was never meant to be as good as meat for them, it was meant to keep them alive during a crisis. We are no longer in that crisis, yet people will still feed their dogs kibble, think about it. The “raw diet for dogs” idea makes sense, and in the wild there is no processing and dehydrating food. Wild dogs hunt and eat meat and internal organs, and a dog’s body is evolved to live on that diet. We then take that same dog and sit them in a corner of our house, feeding him kibble and table scraps expecting that it is good for him. Unfortunately, our diet in America isn’t even good for us, let alone them. People who want better for their dog’s health will sometimes be attracted to ideas like the B.A.R.F. diet because it makes sense to them, and those same owners may be accused of being bad owners by others who have different opinions. The dog will prosper or suffer as a result of these choices, so it is important to do your research and ask the experts.
Dog exercise is another hot button topic that many people will criticize if they do not listen to the facts. We have been taught that all our dogs need is a daily walk around the block and maybe a trip to the dog park every weekend in order to be healthy. Most of the time, these ideas are also impacted by our schedule, meaning that even if we believe we need to walk the dog every day we will still skip days that we are too busy or don’t feel like it. “Skipping a day or two won’t kill them, right?” Unfortunately, that daily walk isn’t providing anywhere near the amount of exercise a dog needs to be healthy, and you can ask any veterinarian if that is the case. Most veterinarians suggest 2 hours or more of walking every day, in addition to 30 minutes of high intensity exercise every other day or so for active dogs. Yes, that means two hours of walking with you every day and about an hour of trying to tire them out at a dog park every other day. Very few people who do not live on farms allow their dog to exercise that much, and as a result our dogs live shorter, more unhappy and painful lives. Our dogs develop arthritis in their rear end, as well as hip dysplasia and a host of other ailments specifically because they never get to run. Many people are unaware that when a dog is forced to walk at our pace, they are forced to put about 85% of their weight on their front legs alone. Walking is hardly exercise for a dog, and even though it tires you out it is not doing much for them aside from allowing them to smell things and interact with you. Exercise comes in the form that wild dogs do, running and chasing prey, moving over uneven surfaces, climbing and foraging. Our dogs get none of that, and yet we think we are doing good for them by allowing them to get out of the house and walk slowly around on the pavement for an hour a day. We are hurting our dog by forcing our own life choices on them. They are built to exercise and burn calories, but because we cannot turn them loose off a leash to run around very easily, we instead convince ourselves that they don’t need it. This is abusive.
We developed RUN DAWG Mobile Dog Gym to give those dog owners who want a better life for their dog the ability to give it to them, even if our own lives make it difficult. Through the use of specialized equipment built for dogs, this equipment being called a “slatmill” we allow dogs to run or walk at the pace they want to, building up their heart, lungs and legs the same way a gym membership and personal trainer does for us. Slatmills are not motorized, so your dog is not forced to do anything they do not want to do. They are leashed to a bar at the top, and when they walk or run a belt under their feet keeps them in place. This allows them to run as fast as they want while inside a controlled environment where they cannot get hurt doing it. They cannot fall off the treadmill, they are inside an air conditioned van where they will not overheat, and they will not get into fights or get diseases at a park where they are around other dogs. It is the next best thing to running with your dog, which everyone is not capable of. Most owners who use the service are actually dog fanatics who are interested in a better life for their dog, and are not just the “lazy dog owners” who don’t want to take the time to walk them. Most clients walk their dogs far more than those people accusing them of being “lazy.” It is like having an extra gym membership for your kids who want to get in shape to play sports, you wouldn’t tell that athletic kid that they should walk slowly around the block with you to stay in top shape. You would do more in the form of additional exercise, and that is what these owners are doing. Many will also seek out the best diets for their dogs, as well as other forms of enrichment that “normal” owners do not. For this reason, it is easy to see how the person who tells you “just walk your dog every day” is actually the lazy one who is abusing their dog. They just don’t know they are abusing them.
Do your research. Ask your veterinarian how much exercise your dog needs. Put in the work and be dedicated to your dog’s well being. You are all they have, and your decisions shape their entire life.
If you are in Las Vegas, Henderson or Summerlin NV contact RUN DAWG Mobile Dog Gym through our website or by phone at 702-857-5755 to arrange a fitness program for your best friend.
