Should You Exercise Your Dog Before a Training Session?

Question: In one of the YouTube videos I've watched (I can't remember which), I believe Jeremy talked about taking dogs out of the kennel and doing structured exercises with them to get some of their energy out before beginning the training session — instead of just letting them run around.

Are there more details about this in any of the DVDs?

Jer's Answer: I don't recall the specific video you're referencing. I would say that if you take in most videos we share (depending on where the cameras start rolling) you will see that its a theme for me to look at getting a dog into the exercise intentionally. To simplify, I don't let them run wild all the way up to the point that I plan to "start training" and then expect them to be focused in any manner and in a good position to succeed. I also take this same approach after the session, we don't just release them to run wild. I think that erodes most of what we've just worked on accomplishing and minimizes the return.

They come out under control, and go back in under control. This may not drain them as much physically, but it certainly does mentally making them focus from the start, and I believe the mental part is as tiring to a dog as any form of physical excersize would be.

I hope this helps, keep me posted.
Jeremy

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