> A mile a day is not enough for a big dog. Big dogs need regular activity, preferably throughout the day.
This applies to working dogs (which is what an aussie shepherd is), not big dogs.
> Failure to exercise a large dog properly leads to bad behavior, which is hard to correct
This is correct
> because they _really want something to do_. So many people, not providing enough training nor enough job for their dog resort to using harnesses and other restraints when in public, and then when they have company over the dogs are reactive until they are put in the place where they can be out of the way.
This is arriving at the wrong diagnosis. Yes, a tired dog is a happy dog and not exercising your dog enough will lead to all sorts of issues, but reactivity (what you're describing) is not addressed by merely working your dog out more. If your dog is showing reactivity, rarely is it just a lack of exercise.
> I strongly feel most people with large dogs, especially in suburbs and cities, are doing those animals a disservice
A dog can be effectively exercised via a combination of physical activity and exercising their nose. It's widely observed that ~20min of sniffing exhausts a dog as much as ~60min of hard physical exercise. This is one of the first things a competent dog trainer will teach you with regards to exercise - if you're busy, hide a treat and send the dog searching. There are also, plenty of jobs you can teach a dog to keep them busy around the house, for example, fastidiousness. Teach a dog it's their job to ensure certain items are in a certain place at all times, and it will keep them mentally engaged throughout the day. This is ofcourse much easier done with some breeds (Akitas for example) than others.
This applies to working dogs (which is what an aussie shepherd is), not big dogs.
> Failure to exercise a large dog properly leads to bad behavior, which is hard to correct
This is correct
> because they _really want something to do_. So many people, not providing enough training nor enough job for their dog resort to using harnesses and other restraints when in public, and then when they have company over the dogs are reactive until they are put in the place where they can be out of the way.
This is arriving at the wrong diagnosis. Yes, a tired dog is a happy dog and not exercising your dog enough will lead to all sorts of issues, but reactivity (what you're describing) is not addressed by merely working your dog out more. If your dog is showing reactivity, rarely is it just a lack of exercise.
> I strongly feel most people with large dogs, especially in suburbs and cities, are doing those animals a disservice
A dog can be effectively exercised via a combination of physical activity and exercising their nose. It's widely observed that ~20min of sniffing exhausts a dog as much as ~60min of hard physical exercise. This is one of the first things a competent dog trainer will teach you with regards to exercise - if you're busy, hide a treat and send the dog searching. There are also, plenty of jobs you can teach a dog to keep them busy around the house, for example, fastidiousness. Teach a dog it's their job to ensure certain items are in a certain place at all times, and it will keep them mentally engaged throughout the day. This is ofcourse much easier done with some breeds (Akitas for example) than others.