Dog Exercise
We all know that to stay fit and healthy we all need to exercise on a regular basis. The same applies to our canine friends. Your dog’s exercise routine is an important part of maintaining its health and wellbeing. Exercising your dog is very important to keep him well behaved and fit. Dogs that do not get enough exercise can have behavioral concerns such as destructive chewing, as well as a number of other problems. You may see an onset of separation anxiety and hyperactivity. Remember that a tired dog is a well behaved dog. If your dog is busy resting after a long, hard walk, he will be less likely to destroy your home when you’re at work etc.
Also, proper exercise will keep your dog fit, reducing the risk of obesity and other health concerns. So if you’d like to minimize extra vet bills, exercise your dog regularly.
The one misconception is that by letting your dog play with other dogs or play fetch in the backyard for a few minutes, is going to be enough and sufficient exercise for your dog. And yes, these games for your dog will be fun and will entertain your dog, but they’re not efficient forms of exercise.
You need to remember that dogs are the decendants of wolves, which in the wild walk miles and miles a day, hunting for food etc. Even though dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, they still harbor these innate behaviours. Now, granted you won’t need to walk your dog several miles a day, you do need to walk, jog, or run your dog at least once a day, preferably in the morning before you leave for the day.
If you can’t afford spending 30 minutes in the morning to walk your dog around the block, you can invest in a dog treadmill. Don’t use a regular, human treadmill as they are unsafe for your dog. You want to purchase a specially manufactured dog treadmill. After training/teaching your dog how to use it (this may take a few weeks), you can then hook your dog up to treadmill while getting ready for work etc **preferably, keep him in the same room where you can keep a close eye on him. Supervision is always best and to prevent possible accidents etc. You can even put him on it at night(in the kitchen area) while you’re making dinner or watching tv etc . Just make sure that you train your dog how to use the treadmill before you throw him on it for the first time.
If for some reason you find yourself with lack of time one week, at least try running him through his basic obedience routine at home to keep him mentally stimulated.
Working out how much exercise your dog needs can be tricky and can vary greatly depending on the age, breed and size of your dog.
For example, smaller dogs can do with a little less exercise if they’re scampering around the house all day running back and forth down the hall ways etc, while larger dogs will need to get out and about on a regular basis because they need lots of space to run.
When determining the right amount of exercise for your little athlete, consider its breed. Was it originally bred as a lap dog that is attractive to look at or is it a hunter-retriever that would rather be outside chasing rabbits? The purpose for which your dog was bred can tell you a lot about its daily exercise needs.
Your dog’s appetite is another significant indicator. If your dog eats a lot, chances are it needs the food to fuel a higher activity level.
Walking
One of the best and most convenient ways to exercise your dog is through walking. Walking is great exercise for you as well as your dog – a couple of times a day is best, even if it is just a short walk around the block.
Dog Daycare Activites
There is probably no better form of exercise for your dog than Hound Dog Daycare adventures. This type of exercise revolves around your dogs’s Natural Environment. Dogs love to be outside in the sunshine, discovering & exploring their Natural Surroundings. We mimic the experience of a “doggy pack” as it is in the wild. We exercise your dog in small, personalised groups at the Beach.We cater for all ages, sizes and energy levels. The swimming component of our dog daycare, is very gentle on a dog’s joints (especially after operations etc) and is a wonderful form of exercise and helps with the overall fitness of your dog. The benefits of regular Socialisation is not to be underestimated either.
Intense exercise routines
If you plan to start a new exercise routine that’s much more intense than your dog is used to, have a vet conduct a thorough physical examination before you begin. Your vet will examine your dog’s cardiac and circulatory systems to ensure your little athlete is up to the challenge.
A sudden increase in exercise can be harmful for your dog’s muscles, joints, cardiac systems and even their footpads, so try building up the level of exercise gradually.
Be especially careful during the summer months as dogs can quickly become effected by heat stress and fatigue. Watch for excessive panting, loss of colour in lips and face or a vacant stare. Remember, dogs are extremely loyal animals and will collapse before they give up trying to keep up with you so take care!
Just remember the key to a well-behaved dog is a tired dog. Exercise is the key to a healthy and well- behaved dog, so make sure that you can squeeze in at least one good, long walk each day. Two is of course better, but you may be able to get away with one, depending on your dog’s natural energy level.
Leah & Angela OMeara (Hound Dog – specialists in Pet sitting Brisbane, Dog Minding & Dog Daycare Brisbane)
ph (07) 38031708 or 0407 987 323