: 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, but 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, some small dogs get plenty of exercise from scampering around the house, 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. If you are not sure, you can learn more about your dogs breed by exploring our breed gallery here. 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. Your dog’s exercise routine is an important part of maintaining its health and wellbeing. However, there will be times when you simply can’t get out whether it is through a lack of time, poor weather or some other reason. If this happens try running through your basic obedience routine at home to keep your dog mentally stimulated. Click here for training information.

When not to exercise

While exercise is important to your dog’s general health, there are some occasions where running through a vigorous routine is not such a good idea. Pregnant bitches for example are using up a lot of energy just by carrying her pups around so let her set her own pace when you are out for a walk.

Older dogs also need to be treated with care, particularly as their body slows down. Senior dogs should still be encouraged to exercise but try not to push them too hard – a slow walk is better than nothing.

Or if your dog becomes ill, you may need to give the exercise a miss for a few days while they recover. Don’t worry too much about breaking your exercise routine – just get back to it as soon as they are able.

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.

If you have a dog that likes to pull, you have several options. You can invest in some obedience training so they’ll learn how to walk on a leash properly. They could also learn how to ‘heel’, which would allow you to make them walk at a steady pace on your left-hand side while you take your walk.

You could consider investing in a combination collar-harness system. Some of these can be extremely effective in slowing your dog down, without hurting them or putting too much of a strain on their neck and throat.

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!