Terri Ramsey Beavers Going out for a walk and some playtime with your dog?
Exercise is more than a form of physical exertion for your dog. Exercise keeps your dog physically and mentally healthy. Without it, your pup may experience anxiety or even depression.
Without an outlet for their energy, your dog may even develop behavioral issues. A good workout also serves as mental stimulation for your dog. Exercise is also beneficial for senior dogs.
Giving your dog proper exercise is the sign of a good dog owner. A daily routine may help keep your dog in shape. In this article, we’ll give you a few tips on starting an exercise routine for dogs.
1. Start Exercising Puppies With Short Sessions
People often start training their dogs as early as 7-8 weeks old. Puppies need the exercise to help burn out some excess energy. Although excessive exercise may lead to some negative effects on your puppy.
Dogs less than a year old must avoid strenuous exercise. Overexercising your puppies may lead to permanent developmental bone disease. Overtiring your puppy may also cause too much stress on their developing joints which could lead to early arthritis.
Exercise is good for young puppies, but be sure to limit it while they are still young.
As a rule of thumb, take your puppy’s age per month and multiply it by 5. That’s how many minutes you can spend exercising your puppy. Do this twice a day.
If your dog is three months old, you can exercise them for 15 minutes twice a day. If your dog is four months old, exercise them for 20 minutes twice a day and so on.
2. Be Mindful of the Weather
Different dog breeds have different temperature tolerances. A responsible dog owner knows their dogs’ limits and demands. Ask your vet or research on your dogs’ tolerance to extreme cold and extreme heat.
Temperatures at and above 44.6 F are generally safe for dogs. When temperatures drop below 21.2 F, all dog owners must take extra precautions to keep their dogs warm. Hot temperatures up to 89.6 F are tolerable with enough water, circulation, and shade.
Overexposure to weather may lead to physical trauma. If you expose your dog to extreme temperatures, always check for signs of overexposure.
3. Visit the Dog Park
It’s a good practice to introduce your dog to social situations. Socializing is a vital aspect of routines for dogs. Socializing helps your dog build confidence and understand acceptable behaviors.
Walking your dog around the neighborhood introduces them to new sights and sounds. But taking them to the dog park introduces them to other dogs which may be beneficial to them.
Socializing your dog teaches them how to interact with other humans and stranger dogs. Taking your pooch to the dog park gives them a chance to play with other packs. Exercise should serve as an opportunity for your dog to socialize with others.
4. Go Hiking With Your Dog
Walking your dog through the neighborhood is a good routine for dogs. But your dog may tire of the predictable patterns and routes. Regular exercise is good for your dog, but you should try to throw something new in the mix occasionally.
Hiking with dogs can be one of the most rewarding things for them. Start with short and low-intensity hikes if you decide to take your dog hiking. Be sure to properly warm up your dog before leading them on strenuous activity.
Always bring the proper gear like collapsing water bottles and a first aid kit. Make sure your dog is comfortable with a leash or has good recall training in case they get loose. The hard workout will serve as a good exercise for your dog’s mind and body.
5. Go Swimming With Your Dog
Taking dogs swimming can add great fun to your water activities. But swimming can also provide many benefits for your dog. Swimming can help your dog develop their overall muscular fitness.
Swimming gives your dog many health benefits. Some include strengthened heart and lungs, increased metabolism, and improved circulation. Swimming is also a low-impact activity, which means it’s doesn’t put too much strain on the joints.
Warm water swimming may also relieve your dog’s pain. If your dog suffers from joint pain, check out Bark Nutrition. If you have an overweight dog you’re looking to get in shape, swimming is a great start.
6. Know When to Give Treats
Giving your dog treats is a form of positive reinforcement for good behavior. Training methods like punishment are ineffective and will only hurt your dog in the end. Use dog treats to encourage your dog to exercise.
Understand that dog treats are a form of affection. When starting a daily routine with your dog, know when to give them treats. Prioritize your dog’s exercise and training before giving them treats.
Alternatively, if you’re looking to help your dog lose weight, cut back on the doggy treats. Instead, reward your dog for their good behavior with pets and rubs.
7. Indoor Exercising
Helping your dog start a routine requires consistency. But sometimes, the weather isn’t ideal or it isn’t safe. Here are some tips for exercising your dog inside.
If you have stairs, have your dog run up and down the stairs. Engaging your dog with the elevation of the stairs helps activate other muscles. You may start by throwing a toy down the stairs and calling their name to have them bring it back to you.
Mental stimulation is also good for your dog when exercising them indoors. Hide treats around the house or make a food puzzle with a water bottle. Give your dog treat dispensing toys to engage themselves to get the food.
If your dog is comfortable on a treadmill, consider making them walk on it.
Start a Healthy Exercise Routine for Dogs Now!
A routine for dogs can provide many health benefits for their long-term health. Exercise is good for your dogs’ physical and mental health. Other than that, exercising with your dog builds confidence and trust.
Don’t stop with these exercise routines. If you want to get more tips for taking care of your pets, we invite you to go over our other posts right here. Explore our content right now!