How Much Exercise Do Dogs Need?

How Much Should I Exercise My Dog Daily?

Dogs are physical animals that enjoy play time, walks and other activities. They must be among the few animals that stay child-like in their enjoyment of play and spending time with their human family. Another reason why it is important for your dog to expend his energy is to keep him out of trouble and out of boredom. There are so many videos on the internet today showing the results of a bored dog left to his own devices at home. In the videos, they are so cute but if it happens to you, the destruction can be daunting. Exercising your dog daily is really necessary so he has an outlet for all that boundless energy. Releasing the energy that your dog has pent up daily will lead to a normal, well adjusted dog with very few, if there are even any, mental issues. Canines are intelligent animals that can be anxious when left all alone for the entire day at home; they can also be bored being on their own and can devise their own activity to ease their anxiety or boredom. Anxious dogs can also be prone to aggression and insecurities which may lead them to bite or nip people. Exercise and play are great outlets especially when both you and your dog do these together.

Aside from boredom and mental health, another very real reason why a dog needs daily exercise is obesity. Dogs are prone to this if they are left on their own at home with little or no activity. A lot of breeds are also susceptible to gaining weight more than others. Another benefit that your dog can get from daily exercise are better muscle strength and increased bone density. Being naturally fit will also help your dog recover from sickness and injuries.

Despite their enjoyment and need for play and activity, there is also a limit to how much to exercise your dog because over doing it just might land him in the hospital or result to an injury. The amount of activity and exercise that a canine should have is dependent on a lot of things; such as the kind of breed, the size, their breed purpose and each individual dog’s personality and needs as well as environmental factors.

Breed Factor

A lot of dog breeds have similar needs when it comes to exercise. Working dogs from the herding and sporting group are among the most kinds of dogs that need more than an hour’s exercise everyday. Experts recommend up to 90 minutes of extensive activities and play once a day. Dogs that compete in shows for agility may need more activities, depending on what they are training for. It will do a competition dog a lot of good if they have exercise for an hour once in the morning and another hour in the late afternoon. Experts suggest mixing up the exercise routine sporadically to keep your dog from getting bored since most dogs of this group are highly intelligent and can learn routines very quickly.

Hounds come in two different kinds; the ones that use their sense of smell and the ones that use sight to hunt. Those that use smell may need less exercise than those that use their sight. This is because scent-based hunters usually need to stop every now and them to locate the scent and track it. Sight based hunting dogs, on the other hand, need to see their prey to track it so they need to be quick and energetic.

Dogs from the terrier group are usually quite active despite their diminutive size. They need to have about an hour’s worth od running around and physical activity everyday to get rid of their destructive energy. These are also quite smart dogs and will need to have different activities that they can do. Yorkies, Dachshunds and Airedales love to run around and will enjoy being let off the leash in a dog run or a park with your vigilant supervision.

Toy breeds are small dogs that do not need an expansive area to exercise or play but still need to have some sort of activity for them to keep fit, physically and mentally. A walk for about thirty minutes to an hour daily will do wonders for them. You can also play with your toy breed dog for about thirty minutes inside your home if the weather is bad. Some of the smaller breeds might have pug noses. These dogs need to be supervised all the time when exercising or running around because they tend to have difficulty breathing when they exert a lot of effort. Try to keep their running around to a minimum. A sedate walk for about thirty minutes to an hour may be better than intense running and playing. Despite this, these dogs will also enjoy fooling around with their owners during play time. Just make sure to take a break every now and then and give him lots of water. It is also advisable to keep them cool since their breathing difficulties can lead to overheating.

Individuality

Dogs have their own personalities that differ from each other. Some dogs crave activity and play while others may participate in rigorous activities for just a short time and them sit it out. Adapt your activity to your dog’s personality. A sedate dog might enjoy a quiet walk around the neighborhood, just sniffing around and enjoying the smells. A lively dog might benefit more from a game of fetch or Frisbee rather than a walk.

The age of the dog should also be factored into his exercise regimen. Older dogs tend to be less active than those in their prime. This means, that eventually, even the most active dogs might just want to be taken out for a walk rather than have a prolonged game of fetch. A prior injury can also affect the desire of your dog to be active. In spite of being afraid to move around at first, injured dogs will benefit from moving around and going back to normal activity when the vet sees fit. 

Weather and Environment

The weather can also affect the length of time that you exercise your dog. When it is snowing heavily, it might be better to stay indoors for the day and play with your dog. Light snow might be worthy of a stroll and playing in the snow but make sure that your short haired dog is warm but his movements should not be impeded by his clothes. Dogs also enjoy walking in the rain but will need to be patted dry when you get home. If you do not enjoy going out in the rain or snow, try to accommodate your dog’s exercise needs inside the house or just in your yard.

If the weather is a bit too warm, bring a bottle of water and a small bowl for your dog when you go out for a walk. Long haired dogs benefit from taking a walk in a shady area or neighborhood; the same with dogs with loose and folded skin like Bulldogs and Sharpeis. Both kinds will also appreciate some water in the middle of their half an hour walk.

Kinds of Activities

Aside from a run or a walk, you can also help your dog expel excess energy by playing fetch or Frisbee. Games and activities that stimulate their mind can also be a great way to keep your dog mentally sharp such as a food toy or a game of hide and seek. Swimming is a great exercise for older dogs since there is very little impact for their joints. Since swimming can be tiring, limit your dog to just thirty minutes of swimming with lots of rest in between.

Observe your dog and try to mold your activity to his personality and needs. Each dog has its own preferences and you can tailor a program that fits the bill. Not only will your dog benefit from the daily exercise but you, the owner, will also be able to get some exercises as well.

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