Stuart the dog finally gains confidence thanks to his new hobby
An excitable Stuart who arrived at Dogs Trust with boundless energy and a lack of confidence is a changed dog after finding a new hobby.
Stuart went there a year ago in November 2020, as his owner’s new work commitments meant they no longer had the time for a dog.
Staff at the Leeds Rehoming Center soon realized they had to find an outlet for Stuart’s strength and energetic antics. The two-year-old dog was hugely lacking in confidence, especially when he went on walks.
The behavior team helped Stuart expel his energy in a way to also complements his training plan. Rehabilitation trainers went the extra mile by researching Canicross as having run in the past with one of their dogs. They thought it might be just the thing for boisterous Stuart.
Canicross is cross-country running with dogs on varied terrain. It can benefit the runner and the dog by building strength, stamina, fitness, and running skills. Spending quality time with your dog while having fun, can also create a strong bond through exercise. Specially designed equipment allows the runner to be hands-free and the dog to run comfortably and efficiently.
“After gradually introducing the idea to Stuart with a few trial runs in our enclosed field, he took to it like a duck to water or a dog to cross-country running,” said Amy Ross. “We could immediately see how much fun he was having.”
“We use all the correct kit, which is very important for safety.”
“After a few weeks of regular running sessions, Stuart has come on leaps and bounds with his training”. “He is now really focused when we work on other behaviors and his confidence grows too,” said the trainer. This means that he now enjoys his walks as well as his runs. Depending on what lead we put on him, he knows if he is going for a walk or a run.
“In addition, he is also showing a much more affectionate side of his personality which is wonderful to see.”
