Hi All,

I have recently been notified that one of my former foster dogs is being returned. He is a pure bred Catahoula Leopard dog who is 2 1/2 years old.

He has some behavioural issues (extreme fear) that I will be working with him on, but otherwise is a great example of his breed in that he is a working/hunting dog with the drives to match. At the time I had him, almost a year ago, he required a good hour of exercise every day.

He easily and quickly clears the chain-link fence around my yard so he must be kept on leash or tied up at all times. Since I live in the city there are next to no places where he can run off leash (the only exception is the dog park. Which I don't intend on taking him).

He has little to no toy drive (he's a hunting dog and the ball just doesn't hold much interest for him). Any ideas how I can help this boy get the exercise he needs on-leash?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Angela, is there any fenced-in baseball fields nearby? That always does the trick for my Boxer.

what about biking, also (something Im thinking of doing because of the heat outside) a treadmill might work. treadmill excercise isnt very interesting and would only work with my dogs who run for the pure joy of running. if not biking (my Pit will pull on the bike-Look ma, no pedals!)or roller blades, what about water? maybe a squirrel skin on a pole in string to chase in the water.

Hi Angela, do you have any good friends who are dog savvy runners? I'm guessing you aren't a runner, as that would be an obvious good choice and you didn't mention it - but I've seen flyers up in our local pet boutique from dog owners looking for runners to take their dog along with... not that I would EVER recommend that you advertise for a complete stranger to take your dog out , but if you KNEW someone who runs, they might be glad to take along the dog for an hour or so (after a Catahoula etiquette lesson from you of course).

I'm an avid runner, thus my dog is as well. When we moved from the country to the city, he went from an off-leash trail runner to an on-leash sidewalk/park runner - no problems. As you know, Oscar is a big hound as well and I can completely relate to a dog who's drive just isn't spurred by inanimate objects. I've always envied the people who can stand in one spot and chuck tennis balls until their retriever is completely exhausted - alas, Oscar pretty much requires that whatever activity HE has to do, I have to do too...

~Natalya

Hi Alex, your suggestion is great and I am sure it will be good for other people reading this thread looking for ideas. There happen to be 3 baseball diamonds directly behind my house. Unfortunately, I can't use them, the main reason because someone has vandalized all 3 (cut holes in the fence), and the other reason is that there is usually other people in the park (the nerve) for my dog to go ape$H!? on (through the fence) if they dare come within range of his vision. And he'll fence fight with other dogs in the park. (Even when I took him at 1 AM on a weeknight). But it was soooooo convenient.

Mary, thanks for the suggestions and I will definitely consider biking (just got a bike last year) but this will require considerable conditioning for the dog, to convince him the bike is not a scary monster that is going to eat him haha!! That and the water idea (I would never have thought of a skin on a pole) will be great for summer.

Natalya - tee hee, nope I'm not a runner, and I'm lucky that the dog in my sig IS one of those dogs that you can just stand there and throw a ball for her, I am guilty of being lazy and wishing all dogs were that easy. Alas.

I am fortunate that this dog likes people and is generally very friendly, though I can't think of any runners off the top of my head. Do you run with Oscar every day? If not, what do you do with him on the off days? From the RRs I've met, their temperaments/personalities seem to be similar to Catahoulas.

Great ideas people. Thanks!

Hi Angela, I just starting biking with my two big dogs last fall before the weather turned cold. They both took to it really quickly and love the exercise. I got one of those bars attached to my rear axle with a spring attachment for a short leash, that way the dogs are running to the side and slightly behind you. Can't wait for the snow to melt and the weather to warm up a little so we can get out there again

Sandy

Can you do it with two dogs at the same time? Like is it one on each side?

Another suggestion would be a tennis court. I found this one near my apartment that has locking gates on the doors...Woo hoo!

Also, you might consider looking into public school playgrounds. Around here, they all have fences around them. Plus, they have playground equipment that you could use in your training. I find that mental excersize can be almost as exausting for my dog as physical excersize....almost.

Sandra, where did you get the attachment. Something that I may look into since I have the same issue with no fenced in areas, and have had issues with off leash dogs in the park. Desperately need to get Sasha (and myself) in shape.