Dog training

Having adopted two dogs when they were a bit older, we have that much time of bad training to undo. They both are good dogs and are pretty well behaved but Dan and I feel that there is improvements that could be made. We know that the dogs aren't supposed to pull on the leashes and have struggled to compromise. After watching the Dog Whisperer, we learned that they are supposed to walk at a heel unless we tell them otherwise. This gives us the role as the Dominant Pack Leader. Last night we were watching several episodes were the guy tells how to tell that the dog is being submissive, the ears back, not pulling. He also mentions that for dogs with a lot of energy, it often does better to have quality walks were they practice this mind control of having to focus on the person that they are walking with, by not pulling on the leash and staying behind the person, then for them to just simply run around. 

Dan just started a new job that goes from 7 am to 5 pm. Long day. I'm still working full time so we needed a solution for the dogs. Solution so far is for them to come with me and Dan in the morning, get some exercise and then spend the day lounging around in the yard. Yesterday seemed to go well until Maple decided she was bored and dug a hole in the yard. The yard that they pay a person to come and take care of. Not good. 

So today I thought I would test out this theory and walk them on the leash for an hour. My arms are so sore (try pulling 70 lbs on each arm off and on for an hour) and when I took the dogs for a quick swim in the lake to cool off, they boisterously started playing. So much for wearing them out. I think I'm going to have to start with them at the Dog park, let them run, go for a walk, maybe rollerblade with Maple (Sam has shown dislike for any thing that moves: rollerblades, bikes, skateboards, snowboards and will try to eat them before they can attack her) to really wear them out. Good thing I have 2 hours in the morning from when I drop off Dan and when I have to start work. I think I'm finally going to get the exercise I need.