Chapter 8 Exercising Your Dog

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his needs. Th at includes his need for exercise.

Lack of exercise can lead to obesity, heart disease and poor muscle

tone. It can also lead to behavioral problems because your dog

hasn’t expended its excess energy, and is bored. A dog who gets

enough exercise is more likely to be calm while at home, and tends

not to be anxious when he’s left on his own.

If you spend time exercising your dog, you’ll have a lot of fun

together and improve your relationship with him.

Before you start any exercise program with your dog, have him

checked by your veterinarian to make sure there’s no reason you

can’t increase his activity level. He may need to lose a little weight

fi rst, or he may be too young to do too much physical activity.

Keep an eye on the weather - dogs don’t sweat like we do, and can

suffer from heat stress in warm conditions.

How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need?

Don’t think for a minute that owning a big backyard will mean

your dog will get enough exercise. Dogs tend not to exercise

themselves, and will lie around waiting for you to play with him.

Th is means that you need to make the time to be active with him.

Diff erent breeds, and in fact diff erent individual dogs, have diff erent

exercise needs. Some dogs are happy with a walk every day.

Others, especially the working breeds, need a lot more exercise to

be satisfi ed. Aim to give your dog at least one exercise session a

day, and target the type and amount of exercise to his individual

needs.

Your dog is telling you he’s had enough when he is panting heavily,

and no longer actively participating in the activity. He may

no longer bring back a ball, or he may lie down under a shady tree

during your run. Be watchful for these signals because over-exercising

him when he’s tired may lead to injury.

Methods of Exercising Your Dog

Th ere are many ways of exercising your dog, and you’re sure to

fi nd one that you also enjoy.

Walking

safety. Walking is a healthy activity for both of you, and is a great

way to unwind at the end of a busy day. You may fi nd, depending

on your dog, that you can’t walk far enough to tire him out.

If that’s the case, you may need to take up running or biking with

him, or play with him when you get home.

. Keep your dog on a leash as you walk, for his own

Running

dog’s energy. Again, keep him on a leash and when you are start

ing, stick to grass, sand and other soft surfaces until his pads

toughen. Dogs are like people in that they need to build up to

a distance, so use a walk/run program such as the Couch to 5k

with him, until he is fit enough to go further.

Cycling

your dog’s leash as you ride. Th is allows you to run your dog longer

distances than you may be able to go on foot. Your dog will

need some time to get used to being close to your bike, so spend a

Swimming

they can exercise without putting any weight on them. Your

dog can swim in the ocean or a pool, and it will also keep him

cool as he works out.

. Th is is particularly good for dogs with sore legs, because

Retrieving

exercise yourself, or if your dog needs to burn up a bit more energy

after a walk. Your dog can fetch a ball or other toy, for as

long as he wants or as long as you’re prepared to throw it for him.

You can teach your dog to play Frisbee with you, and this is a

great party trick for when you go to the beach. Whatever you play

with, keep your throws low and don’t allow your dog to leap in the

air to catch his toy, particular on hard surfaces. Th is is a recipe for

knee injuries.

. Playing fetch is a great option if you prefer not to

Dog Sports

that keep a dog physically and mentally in great condition. Th ere

are clubs all over the country, and both you and your dog will

have a lot of fun training and competing in these sports. Th ey are

particularly good for improving your mental connection with your

dog, and a great way to build your relationship.

. Dog agility, lure coursing and fl yball are fast sports

Exercising Your Dog’s Mind

Dogs are intelligent creatures, and need mental stimulation to

avoid boredom related behavioral problems. You can play some

fun games with him to keep him thinking; alternatively consider

purchasing toys such as the Buster Cube. You can put his kibble

into this cube, and he will spend hours working out how to get it

few days just riding up and down your sidewalk before you venture

further afi eld. Th is is an advanced skill so take your time.

. You can purchase accessories for your bicycle that hold. You don’t need to run long distances to use up your

out.

Other fun games include:

Find it

room. Tell your dog to “Seek” and encourage him to search for

his treat. You can also hide his favorite toy, but make sure you let

your dog play with the toy before you hide it again. Th is will keep

him interested in it for next time.

- take one of your dog’s favorite treats, and hide it in a

Tunnel game

encourage your dog to go through it.

- make a tunnel out of large cardboard boxes and

Find your dinner

backyard and help him scrounge around until he fi nds it. Th is can

keep him busy for quite a while.

- hide the kibble for your dog’s dinner in your

Pick a bowl

dog can sniff it out. Watch him try and turn the bowl over to get

at the treat.

It does take time and eff ort to exercise your dog’s body and mind,

but it’s worth it. A tired dog is a happy dog, and is much less

likely to get into mischief.- put a treat under one of three bowls and see if yourf you take home a rescue dog, you are committed to meeting all