My Motivation Theory Involves My Dogs

photo credit: Blue♦Gum

Motivation Theory Involves Dogs

My own personal motivation theory involves my dogs and here’s why.  I’m talking specifically about motivation to keep active and fit.  My two Lhasa Apso dogs Chester and Roxie are totally trained to use an indoor dog litter box when they are inside my house.  This means that they actually do not have to go outside to do their business like other dogs do.  So during bad weather like awful snow storms or rain days, we stay inside.

However, I also realize that dogs still need exercise.  Just like humans, dogs can become overweight quite easily which puts them at risk for many health issues.  Just because a dog becomes trained to use a dog litter box, it doesn’t mean that all walks can be abandoned.  If the weather is okay out there, we still go outside for fun and exercise with our walks and visits to the dog park.

Motivation At The Dog Park

Just this past weekend when I took my two dogs to one of our local leash free dog parks, I noticed a fat bloodhood.  Although the owner did bring this dog out to the dog park, the bloodhound really didn’t venture around the park much.  It pretty well stayed within a relatively small portion of the park.

When I bring my dogs Chester and Roxie out to dog parks, we go around the entire park sometimes a few times to get some exercise in.  At one point when this bloodhound spotted my two Lhasa Apsos, she was quite happy with her tail wagging.  Then she just waddled over to greet my two dogs and I mean waddle – I don’t think this dog was capable of going very fast as you could just see the oversized belly bouncing back and forth.

This poor dog is obviously grossly overweight and doesn’t get much exercise.  I could also see that her owner doesn’t either so it’s not surprising that sometimes the poor lifestyle habits of the dog owner can affect the dog as well.

How My Dogs Impact My Motivation Theory

So when it comes to my own physical fitness, here’s how my dogs impact my motivation theory.  Although walking is only a small part of my overall fitness activities, my dogs help me make sure that both they and I get some exercise in with fairly well paced 30 minute walks out there.   I would feel much too guilty if I let my two dogs go out of shape and have their health at risk because of my negligence.

In my motivation theory, I believe that you have to get enough reasons top of mind to keep motivating you to pursue certain things, in my case, fitness activities.  My dogs’ health and well being are part of the reasons that continue to motivate me to take them outside for exercise since they deserve the best health possible.

For some real important lessons on motivation theory, see my free 3-part Personal Development Video Series.  And if you are a future or new dog owner and would like more info on housetraining dogs indoors, see my Dog Training website where there is also a free Dog Training Video.