(Pictured above is a dog performing in a long-distance pool jumping contest, at West Palm Beach Waterfront Park, that I took Feb 2018)
Its very important that you find a physical activity that both you and your pet can enjoy. Pick something, or multiple “somethings,” that you’ll be able to sustain, for the years that your dog is healthy enough to participate. A leash-walk up and down your block, with pups nose primarily to the ground, vs legs in constant movement, won’t suffice for meeting exercise needs for pup.
Domestic dogs benefit from at least 30 minutes daily, of more rigorous exercise. Some breeds require as much as 2hrs daily, of rigerous exercise, or (4) 30 min exercise sessions. Most dogs benefit from more than (1) 30min session of exercise. Dogs wild, contemporary counterparts and ancestors, traverse miles of various terrains, in search of food, and when following prey, or marking territory. Domestic life does not replicate this regular exercise. Older, very young and unwell pets need modified exercise, or less exercise. Consult your veterinarian if your unsure.
I’d find some kind of rigorous exercise for pup, even if it means jogging w your dog yourself, or biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, hiking, etc . What’s important if you choose jogging, is that your dog moves from a jogging gait to a running gait. You don’t have to run for miles. But running daily makes all of tendons and joint connective tissue stronger. That’ll help w arthritic changes to the joints as pup ages, as well as increases muscularity. Increased muscularity is the key to burning fat, and staying “well.” Obesity in dogs is on the rise, as well as anxiety and depression. Exercise can alleviate much or all of that, without going to prescription drugs. I advocate against prescription drugs for pets.
But if your dog will chase a ball/toy, or pointed laser beam, you can better meet the exercise quality pup needs, particularly if your not fit to jog, etc, and if your dog isn’t small enough, to need to change gears to running, to kerp up. Chasing-exercise can and should involve diversity of movement, like pivoting and leaping or pouncing. It’s the diversity of movement that more greatly improves the condition of the musculoskeletal system. This kind of task/or goal activity, also creates better mental and emotional engagement and satisfaction.
For breeds that were created for tasks ie; hunting, searching, herding, and athletics,(etc) try to find an activity that includes or partially replicates those skills. For example, for an activity suited to a scent hound (search activity) you can hide treats around the yard. Create a game to stimulate your dog to sniff out the goodies. For dogs that hunt in burrows (like small terriers) a child’s sandbox (filled with clean sand) with buried toys is very stimulating. Take Newfoundlands and labs, swimming. Joining filed trials for herding and hunting breeds, can be very satisfying to those breeds of dogs. Hide n Seek is a great game to engage both you and pup, as long as pup does not have separation anxiety. For extreme athletes, fly-ball, frisbee competition, agility courses (both in and out of competitions) long-distance jumping (flike the lab performing in the eature photo) are great exercise. And, today some unlikely breeds are participating. I saw a Corgie (herding dog) in an agility trial. While the corgi is too slow to ever win, the dog and owner, were exuberant participants!
Nothing though, quite compares to the quality of exercise found from dogs playing with other canines. Your dog commits more thought, emotional and physical engagement during play w other dogs. This play also creates the most diversity of movement. Outside of the physical and emotional health benefits that any exercise creates for pup. Playing with dogs keeps our dogs in tune to societal expectations and protocol (I call this “pack-politics” ), practicing conflict resolution, and keeping their own behaviors in check. It’s important intellectually, physically, emotionally and behaviorally, for dogs to both socialize, and exercise with other dogs.visit your local dog park or dog beach, a few times weekly, or daily.
Do your best, to meet the 30min minimal exercise requirements of your dog. If reality falls short of ideal, any or some exercise will still benefit your dog. So if you can’t jog a mile, jog for a few houses worth of distance, down your block. Throw the ball for 10 minutes, if you fall short of 30minutes. Walk briskly, keeping pups nose off the ground and legs moving. Find walking buddies on your block, for increased stimulation and vigor of movement.
Exercise will improve cardio-vascular system, heart health, blood pressure, bone density, thwart arthritis, improve digestion, respiration, metabolism and emotional balance. Exercise fights depression, boredom and anxiety. Many behavioral issues stem from boredom, and under-exercised pups. Fitness makes a body feel better all the way around.
So, find an activity that you can engage your dog in for life. Finding multiple activities for variety, will keep you both more stimulated. I encourage you to seek canine pals for play dates, or visit your local dog park daily, or at least three times weekly. Find well suited activities for increased engagement. Create activities that draw on diverse body-movements, and your breeds innate skills. And, Ideally exercise pup until pup becomes tired.
Hapoy trails to you and your pets!
(Pictured below is my training clients energetic KleeKlei, Motchi, enjoying an off leash, high- speed run in an open field near her home. Notice a smile that’s so big, it’s lwider than her face!)
(The video clip below features 3 Boarding dogs plus my own dog engaged in play, while Boarding with me.)