To quote Temple Grandin “In terms of emotions dogs need”;

• Social contact, so their PANIC system doesn’t get activated. Develop their frustration tolerance, and remember that behaviour training is all about ‘impulse control & emotional restraint’.
• Games and play with owners to activate SEEKING system.
• Interesting things to do – especially long walks – that also arouse their SEEKING system.

There are some great walks in the Chilterns area, and I have listed some suggestions here. If you can recommend any others please let me know.

I find these walks as enriching as my dogs do, whether visiting the ‘Tree Cathedral’, Norman castles & churches, neolithic burial mounds or appreciating one of Britain’s most endangered trees, the black poplar.

Smoke & Yanto, (my youngest brother’s ridgebacks), they were excellent pets due in a very large part to plenty of stimulating exercise.