The same with us as humans, dogs need breaks and time off. If not the stress can keep adding and adding before something causes a reaction with them.
Whether it be illness, injury or behavioural there is always a breaking point. A lot of owners believe the more they do with their dog the better, the more they walk the more enriched, the more trained the better their dog will be. This is not always the case, sometimes our dogs need to rest.
You find that some dogs will whine and pace, all because they dont know how to rest or settle. They haven't learned how to do nothing, their body doesn't know how to rest. Like children some puppies, and even older dogs need to be told to rest, especially when they are constantly on the go.
Constant exercise or training can put a strain on a dogs body, you end up seeing dogs with arthritis at young ages, joint dysplasia or other issues. It is ok to have rest days, its ok to do nothing.
We all need time off, so does your dog. I mean a full day off. Don't feel guilty because they need to learnt to settle too.
What happens if we dont? Well what happens when you or your dog gets injured and can no longer go on walks? What happens in a family emergency and the dog has to stay with someone who cannot exercise them? Your dog will likely be stressed, all because their daily routine is to be doing something. They arent used to resting or having time off.
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