Guide to Exercising a Dog

There are a variety of different ways that your dog can engage in exercise to keep them healthy. With classics like a dog walk, run, or even swimming, there are also other forms of dog exercise incorporating exercise equipment and toys to help your dog experience a more varied exercise regimen. When exercising a dog, it is important to match appropriate types of exercise with the individual and the unique needs they may have, both physically and behaviourally.

When it comes to dog exercise, it can be difficult to know how much dog walking to do. Each dog is different and it depends on their age, developmental stage and underlying health. For example, puppies tend to have more energy than older dogs, often coming in short bursts throughout the day. Incorporating several shorter walks into your daily routine can help your pup manage their energy levels, rather than one long walk that an adult dog might prefer. For higher-energy dogs, you will need to provide more regular access to high-intensity exercise or longer durations of stimulation, whereas low-energy dogs will be more content with less and may be happy for a casual walk that focuses more on sniffing and exploring.

One of the classic forms of dog exercise is a walk. Regularly walking with your dog will help them improve their cardiovascular fitness and will provide sensory enrichment. Be sure to practice “dog-directed” walks – this means going at the dog’s pace and making the walk all about them, letting them stop and sniff and take in all the information around them. Do not drag or force your dog to keep moving.

To bring a bit of variety to your dog’s exercise routine, you can introduce a series of games for dogs. Games like fetch and using toys like dog frisbees and or a hide and seek dog toy can help add another dimension to your dog’s exercise sessions. You can even try a variety of dog sports like agility, flyball and dock diving to keep things interesting when exercising your dog.

Swimming and dog water exercise is a great option for some dogs that feel safe and confident in the water. It is a useful low-impact exercise that can benefit dogs with a variety of needs, such as energetic dogs looking to burn off some energy or dogs with joint problems in need of some exercise. Exercising a dog in the water introduces your pet to a different environment and provides the option of regular activity for animals dealing with health problems or challenges that make it hard for them to exercise on hard surfaces.

Having a selection of dog exercise equipment can lend some versatility and variety to your exercise routine. Some of the common pieces of equipment utilised by dog owners includes jumps, weave courses and tunnels to allow your pet to practice a range of skills. It is worth investing in equipment that is lightweight and portable, so that you can make the most of your dog’s exercise routine in a variety of locations, whether you are inside or outside. Exercising a dog with these diverse types of equipment will help to provide opportunities for your pet to grow and develop in a range of areas, all while enjoying the exercise experiences.

When it comes to dog exercise practices, knowing how to exercise a puppy, and how much exercise for a puppy is appropriate, is crucial for maintaining their health and social development. As they will not be used to an exercise routine, it is important to start slowly and build up as your puppy progresses. Start with your puppy walking on a leash, beginning with them close by your side before they learn the skills necessary to explore their environments. For these exercises, maintaining a gentle steady walking pace is important so that your puppy does not over-exert themselves. When you are in a safe, enclosed area, giving your puppy the opportunity to experience exercise off the leash is also beneficial as they will learn how to regulate their own pace and begin to recognise when they get tired and need a rest.