Daily walks, jogs or play sessions can pay huge dividends when it comes to your dog’s health. Not only will exercise help keep your dog fit and trim, regular exercise can channel your dog’s energy in positive directions, rather than destructive ones like digging holes in the yard.Check out the following tips on creating a safe and healthy canine workout plan.
Know the Benefits
Regular exercise can have an amazing impact on your dog’s overall well-being. Dogs that get regular workouts enjoy a higher metabolism, smaller appetite, better muscle tone and even better temperature regulation - a very important benefit for dogs in hot or humid climates. Exercise helps ward off canine obesity, a growing problem. Exercise helps prevent boredom as well. Behavioral issues often stem from a dog’s unmet instinctive desire to do things like dig, herd, retrieve or hunt. By engaging your pup’s mind with positive activities, you will prevent him from finding destructive ways to satisfy his instincts, like digging or chewing inappropriately.
Get Moving
Try many activities to find the ones that suit you and your pooch’s needs. Here is a list of the most common canine workout activities:
- Walking or jogging
- Running off leash (only where safe and appropriate)
- Swimming
- Playing with other pets
- Fetch
- Tricks for low-calorie treats (see below)
Make a Workout Plan
Your dog cannot go to the gym, so it is up to you to devise a routine that will give him the proper exercise. For walks, work up to a brisk to 10 to 20 minute walk or jog twice a day.Introducing another dog can be the key to encouraging more exercising with your dog.If you are running short on time, hire a dog walker or schedule play-dates at a doggy daycare - both worthy investments.Regular visits with a friend or relative’s pet can also help your dog meet his exercise quota.
Consider Low-Calorie Treats
If tricks are your pup’s favorite pastime, low-calorie treats will encourage him to perform without denying his other calorie-burning activities. If your pet has food allergies, consult your vet to determine which treats are safe and healthy for your dog.
- Apple slices
- Banana slices
- Carrot slices
- Green beans
- Lean, cooked meats
- Melon chunks
- Pear slices
- Popcorn (without butter or oil)
- Rice cake pieces
- Low-calorie commercial treats
Your dog’s exercise need change over time, so make sure to continue speaking with your veterinarian about what is best for your dog.
Consult Your VetExercise needs vary widely based on age, breed and sex, as well as a dog’s individual health. If your dog is a 6 to 18 month adolescent or a sporting, herding, hound or terrier breed or mixed breed, your dog’s exercise requirements are likely high. However, strenuous exercise can cause problems in some dogs, especially those that are not fit or are very young or old.
For this reason, it is important that you talk with your vet before embarking on any new exercise routines with your dog. Athletic owners who run, jog, or perform other strenuous activities must be aware of their dog’s potential limitations. Also, be keenly aware of extreme weather conditions -- make sure to go easy on hot, humid, or cold days, and take plenty of breaks. If the dog is lagging behind, tiring, or struggling, head home and make the next exercise session slower (less strenuous) and shorter. Tip: Go slowly when introducing your dog to a new exercise routine, gradually building for the first weeks as he adapts. It is always best to ask your veterinarian’s advice on how to safely increase your dog’s activity level.