Exercise

There are two types of exercise that we will focus on

• Physical Exercise - Every dog is an individual and while some dogs may only need a daily romp in the yard others may need long jogs twice a day.  What this comes down to is figuring out how much physical exercise your dog needs every day and a way to meet that need.
• Mental Exercise – As with physical exercise some dogs get enough mental stimulation watching out the front door, others need to track scents, herd sheep, learn new tricks or solve puzzles.

Both forms of exercise are important to a dog’s health and balance.  A dog that is not getting the physical or mental exercise it needs is likely to be unhappy, destructive, aggressive, have poor manners, or become prone to obesity.

                                         

Physical Exercise

            To begin with it is best to determine the level of exercise that your dog needs.  Once it’s understood how much physical exercise is needed a way to incorporate that into your lifestyle is necessary so that the dog can be provided with a good quality of living.  A balanced dog is happier, easier to train, and more sociable. Talk to your vet before starting an exercise program as younger, older, over/over weight dog, or dogs with special health needs may have limitations.

Types of physical exercise may include:

• Walking - if it's yucky weather go to a pet store to walk around!
• Jogging
• Swimming - swim in safe areas and have your dog use a lifejacket for safety
• Hiking
• Biking
• Playing fetch - can be done inside as well if it's too cold out

They do not include letting the dog roam outside, putting the dog in the backyard, or doggie daycare. 

Doggie daycare can be physical and mental exercise for a dog but should not entirely replace the structured physical exercise a dog needs to have with their owner.  Caution should be used when taking a dog to daycare or dog parks. 

Mental Exercise

            Again determine the level of mental stimulation that your dog needs.  Your dog maybe content calmly watching the birds and traffic outside of your window but would likely benefit from more.

Types of mental exercise may include:

•  Food Puzzles – Bob-a-lot, Buster Food Cube, Kibble Nibble, Tug-a-Jug
• Stuffed Kong – these can be stuffed with peanut butter or canned dog food and frozen
• Training – obedience training, agility, carting, scent detection, or other advanced training
• Socializing – dog parks, doggie daycare, playdates
• Environments – visiting pet stores, vet offices, parks, outdoor restaurants, new neighborhoods, farmer’s markets, festivals, anyplace that is safe for and allows your dog
• Toys – raw bones, nylabones, rawhides (if safe for your dog’s chewing habits), tug toys, or balls.  View our post on toys or talk with your vet to find the best toys for your dog!

The purpose of mental exercise is to keep your dog’s mind active.  Imagine having nothing to do all day except stare at four walls and a backyard.  No errands, work, chores, or friends visiting may sound nice for a day or two but after a while cabin fever sets in. 

A well exercised dog, or pack, is a tired and happy pack!

Remember

·         A bored dog with pent up energy is much more likely to be destructive and poorly mannered.

·         Physical and mental exercise is the foundations for a balanced happy dog.

·         Exercise as part of a lifestyle isn’t just healthy for your dog but for you too!