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provide your dog mental exercise by training it new things. What you train is entirely up to you. Some people like to train basic obedience exercises such as sit, down, and heel. Others like to train tricks. Even others like to train things such as tracking (scenting a trail) or hunting. Training exercises to mentally stimulate your dog only takes a 15 minute investment per day, on most days of the week. If you wish to own an energetic rescue dog you need to be willing to invest in 15 days of daily training to keep things interesting for your dog.

Finally, you need to be willing to integrate your dog into your home lifestyle. Dogs are companion animals. Eras ago dogs lived in packs together like wolves do today. People surmise that dogs became domesticated because they would come close to dwellings for scraps. People quickly learned that these animals could provide them many benefits including hunting assistance and protection. This desire to be part of a family remains with all of our domesticated dog breeds today. Even with physical exercise and mental stimulation, an energetic dog is not going to be happy unless it is treated as part of the family. If you spend much of your time outside, having a dog that lives primarily outdoors may work well. However, if you spend days at a time in the house, or maybe even one season inside of the house due to inclement weather, then you must be willing to share your home with your dog. The regular interaction you get with your dog simply by being in one another's company while you go about your daily life and chores fulfills the dogs desire to be a part of a pack, or family.

Once you have determined the dog's temperament and history is a fit for your lifestyle and abilities and you've made the commitment to exercise, train, and integrate the dog into your daily life, you are ready to make the commitment of bringing the dog into your life. There is no doubt that sharing your life with an energetic rescue dog takes a special person. However, there is also no doubt that when that perfect match is made between dog and owner, the rewards you will reap in companionship will far outweigh the time and diligence you invest into your four-legged friend.

Learn more about this author, Elizabeth Campbell.
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