In all likelihood, feeding, playtime, and walks are the highlights of our dogs’ days. Most dogs will go completely crazy at the mere mention of going for a walk, spinning wildly, looking for the lead, and bouncing up and down. However, some breeds of dog—specifically French Bulldogs—are notoriously sedentary.
Dog owners naturally want their pets to live long, healthy lives, and they do this by providing their dogs with high-quality food, regular veterinary care, and plenty of exercise. But how do we determine if our pets are getting adequate physical activity?
What is the optimal amount of activity for your dog, and will they be okay if they don’t get that? Keep reading to learn all of our best advice for getting your pet the exercise it needs.
blogspot.com/blog-cta DISCOVER D
HOW MUCH EXERCISE WILL MY DOG NEED?
Taking the dog for a walk is more than a weekend hobby; it’s a daily obligation. However, there are breeds of dog that have a more substantial daily demand. As a rule of thumb, daily exercise for a dog should last anywhere from half an hour to two. Despite the fact that this is a very broad index.
When it comes to exercise for canines, one size does not fit all. As with humans, every dog is an individual, even within the same breed. Although there is no foolproof formula for determining how much exercise a dog needs, you can get a good idea by considering the dog’s breed, size, weight, age, level of energy, and general health.
BREED AND SIZE
When planning an exercise routine for your pet, breed and size are likely the most important considerations.
Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, and Bichon Frises, among other little breeds, don’t require extensive exercise when out on walks. They don’t need more than 30 minutes of strolling the streets, but they probably wouldn’t refuse it.
There are exceptions to the rule for toy-sized dogs, and they include Jack Russell Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers, and Westies. These dogs have high activity levels and a strong prey drive because they were developed specifically to seek and kill small rodents. Their modest stature suggests that they should exercise for at least 60 minutes every day.
The most energetic dogs are the ones originally developed for work or sport. As a rule, these are all canine breeds that fall into the category of being quite big. Most dog breeds, including retrievers, spaniels, setters, poodles, Huskies, Collies, and Shepherds, require 60 to 120 minutes of daily exercise.
The amount of exercise my dog requires is:
Where can I find out how much exercise my dog requires?
You may be forgiven for assuming that bigger dog breeds require more exercise. However, huge breeds like Great Danes, Newfoundlands, and St. Bernards have very modest activity needs; they would much rather occupy the entire couch while they sleep. Big dogs tyre out faster than little Terriers because they have to carry around a lot more mass throughout the day.
Big dogs still need regular exercise to keep their weight in check and their bones and joints in good repair. A walk of 30 to 45 minutes should do the trick. Because of their ancestry, many big breeds enjoy swimming and would benefit greatly from a vigorous game of doggy paddle in the pool. Being a low-impact sport, it won’t put too much strain on their joints, making it an excellent choice.
Though they were originally developed for racing, sighthounds like the Whippet and the Greyhound don’t require as much exercise as you may think. You may assume these former sprinters would make the best running partners, but in reality they’d rather take their time over a 30-45 minute stroll, with the option of a brief sprint in the middle, before crashing for the afternoon on the couch. Long, strenuous walks, runs, or treks aren’t ideal for sighthounds; they do fine with a more relaxed approach to physical activity.
Generally speaking, brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs like French Bulldogs, Bulldogs, and Pugs aren’t the most enthusiastic about maintaining a rigorous exercise schedule. These dogs require a daily stroll to maintain their physical health and mental stimulation, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be easy to pry from their comfy beds. They lack any sort of vitality or enthusiasm.
The lovely flat face of brachycephalic breeds can be a source of serious health issues, though. Their airways are partially blocked due to their facial features, making strenuous activity difficult. Squash-faced dogs only need a daily stroll of 20 to 30 minutes, although care must be taken in extremely hot weather to prevent heatstroke.
AGE
The amount of exercise your pet needs is mostly dependent on its age. Just like you should feed your dog differently at each lifestage, you should also give them different exercises as they age.
PUPPIES
You might be surprised at how slowly and steadily your new puppy walks on its first outings, even if the breed is known for strong energy levels and a preference for physical exercise. Puppies aren’t as active as full-grown dogs, so don’t expect them to be able to run around and play like they did when they were younger. Since you wouldn’t take a toddler walking and expect them to keep up with you, the same logic applies here.
Younger dogs should engage in some form of physical activity twice day. This could be a little walk around the neighbourhood or a game of tug of war. Just schedule in plenty of downtime for that much-needed siesta! For a growing puppy, multiple shorter walks or sessions of activity are more preferable to one long walk, which can be far too taxing on their developing body. An eight-month-old puppy, for instance, can handle a considerably longer stroll and a jog in the park than he or she could as a younger dog.
Puppies often suffer from a condition known as the “zoomies,” which causes them to run in circles, lose all sense of reason, and eventually collapse. Puppies, who tend to have a lot of energy in short spurts, benefit greatly from multiple shorter walks rather than one longer one.
I’m not sure how much playtime my puppy needs.
Please tell me how much exercise my puppy needs.
Puppy-proofing your exercise routine is essential if you anticipate your dog maturing into a huge breed. Although larger dog breeds mature more quickly than smaller ones, their development takes place over a longer time frame. Their physical activity needs to be closely monitored for this reason. When a child’s bones and joints are still developing, excessive high-impact exercise (such as jogging) might cause permanent injury. Your dog may develop degenerative joint diseases like arthritis or hip dysplasia as a result of this. High-impact activities, such as leaping on and off the couch, might be harmful to your puppy’s developing joints.
There is, of course, no foolproof method for determining the appropriate amount of physical activity for your puppy. It’s an uncomfortable truth, but the amount of activity your puppy needs is entirely dependent on your pup.
SENIOR DOGS
As much as we love them, it can be heartbreaking to watch our once active dogs decline into old age and become unable to enjoy the same activities. The older your dog gets, the less activity they will be able to handle. Your elderly dog will likely be just fine after a brisk 30-minute stroll in the neighbourhood.
No matter their age, people should still make time for daily exercise to keep themselves healthy and their minds sharp. Many dogs will push through pain only to impress their humans, so it’s important to recognise when your pup has had enough. They should turn around and go back if they start to feel fatigued.
WEIGHT AND HEALTH
Keeping your dog at the ideal weight is essential to ensuring that they get the proper amount of activity for their breed; yet, an overweight dog may struggle to keep up with the necessary routine because they fatigue more quickly when moving around their excess weight.
Dogs that are resistant to exercise benefit from a slow and steady increase in activity. To avoid overexerting your dog and causing injury to their joints, lungs, and heart, it’s crucial to keep their exercise routine moderate. For overweight dogs, swimming may be an excellent option due to its low weight-bearing nature.
When a dog is sick, their exercise requirements change. In order to determine the ideal exercise routine for a sick dog, it is best to consult with a veterinarian.
Because it is impossible to know with certainty how much exercise any specific dog requires, we can only provide a general recommendation. All dogs, even the most sedentary, benefit from even a minimal exercise routine. Look at how your dog does on your daily walks to determine if they need more exercise; if they’re falling behind, it’s time to stop. Ideally, your dog would finish the activity feeling tired and calm, but not completely exhausted.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY DOG DOESN’T GET ENOUGH EXERCISE?
To maintain good health and avoid becoming overweight, dogs, like humans, require a balanced diet and regular exercise.
The mental health of a dog is just as vulnerable to the lack of exercise as its physical health. Depressive symptoms in dogs can be brought on by inactivity. Dogs need mental and physical exercise, just think how bored you’d become staring at the same four walls all day. Dogs are completely dependent on us for their daily outings, yet we get to leave the house whenever we like and go shopping, to the gym, to work, and to restaurants. Taking your dog for a walk every day is a great way to provide him with the exercise and mental challenge he needs to stay healthy and happy.
You and your dog will have issues if you don’t take them for adequate walks. When dogs get bored, they act out in destructive ways, such as barking and howling, tearing up cushions, and chewing furniture.
As a result, they may begin engaging in behaviours that are considered repulsive, such as rummaging through the trash, consuming their own faeces, or consuming inedible objects like socks, rocks, and grass. PICA is the term for this condition. Even if your dog is entirely housebroken, you may notice that they still have accidents in the house, especially at night when they should be resting. The root of the issue, however, may be in one of several other areas.
Taking your dog on a walk is probably the most exciting part of their day, so don’t be surprised if you see excessive excitement behaviours like jumping, spinning, barking, and panting. When a dog gets to go for a walk, they get excited, but if they don’t receive enough exercise, that eagerness can turn into hyperactivity. If they get overly eager when you take the lead or practically drag you down the street from their excessive lead tugging, this could be a sign that they have a lot of pent-up energy they need to release.
Your dog’s physical and mental well-being, as well as their ability to cope with stress, can all benefit from regular exercise. Keep in mind that while you may enjoy the fresh air and exercise as much as your dog does, the primary purpose of these outings is to provide the latter. It’s not always about how far you walk, but about giving your dog the chance to do the things it loves. Allow them to sniff around and take pleasure in their environment.
WHAT FORMS OF EXERCISE ARE THERE?
Many people believe that their only two alternatives when it comes to getting their dog some exercise are a leashed stroll or a brisk jog around the block.
Yet, the possibilities are countless:
Swimming (hydrotherapy) (hydrotherapy)
Football
Dog and disc golf
You and your dog are out for a run.
Elevating Subservience (reinforcing recall, retrieving, already known commands and teaching brand new tricks)
The likes of tug-of-war and other games
Scavenger hunt
Doggy Games (agility, flyball, scent work)
Methods for keeping your dog active
Methods for keeping your dog active
Of course, it’s simple to clip the lead on and take a stroll through the neighbourhood, but that would just involve repeating the same route over and over again. Even more so if you make this a regular habit each morning or evening. Dogs benefit greatly from routine, and they are, after all, creatures of habit, but it’s wise to keep their exercise routines interesting by switching things up now and then.
Off-leash walks give your dog the freedom to run wild, but they can be dangerous if your dog has trouble being recalled. Find a safe dog park in your area where your dog can run about. Dogs benefit greatly from including training and playtime in their daily schedules. Spread their Pure onto a lickimat, in a Kong, or sprinkle goodies about the home to make your pet work for their meal and wear them out. Maintaining your dog’s physical and mental health is facilitated by mental stimulation, in addition to regular exercise.
Some dogs enjoy the idea of playing hide-and-seek, some enjoy long, leisurely walks, while still others would rather sprint up and down the same piece of grass 20 times for a ball. Find a solution that works for both you and your dog.
WHAT IF MY DOG DOESN’T LIKE WALKS?
It may come as a complete surprise to some pet owners to learn that not all dogs enjoy going for walks. These are your Bulldogs and other low-energy dog breeds; you may have trouble rousing them from their slumber. Despite the fact that all they’ve done is lie in bed and snore all day.
How often should I take my dog for a walk?
How much doggy playtime is ideal?
Even dogs of the same breed might have vastly different personalities; one might be restless to get outside while the other is content to sleep it away. Don’t let your dog’s lack of enthusiasm for walks mislead you; they really do need to get some exercise. To make walks more interesting, try tempting them with treats.
You could desire a dog to go on weekend hikes with you in the mountains, or you could prefer a more mellow companion for lazy days at home watching movies. Do your homework to make sure the breed you want will go well with your family and routine. It’s not possible to predict whether your dog will be a hyperactive bundle of energy or a sluggish sack of bones since, as we’ve established, they’re all unique individuals.
Walks can be terrifying for some dogs because they are so fearful of passing strangers, other dogs, and roadways. To help your scared dog associate positive feelings with walks, it’s crucial that you don’t push him too quickly. Treats, especially many of them, can be helpful, as is the case with many things. Limit the length of your stroll and utilise an endless supply of yummy goodies to keep your dog entertained. Don’t try to accomplish too much at once; the key is to make your dog associate going for walks with many positive experiences, especially rewarding goodies. While you work up to longer walks, more vigorous play, formal obedience training, and yard agility, you can still get your dog the exercise he needs by becoming creative.
In sum, physical and mental well-being both benefit from a dog getting regular exercise. A regular stroll prevents your dog from becoming stir crazy from being cooped up all day and provides you with quality time to bond with your pet.
