The amount of exercise your dog needs each day will change over the years, but whatever stage in life your puppy or dog is at, you should also take into account factors such as breed, size and health.
Working dogs such a kelpies, cattle dogs, and border collies need more exercise than toy breeds such as shih tzus and chihuahuas. Breed societies and your vet can advise you on appropriate exercise.
Always take into consideration the weather when exercising your dogs. You want to avoid heat exhaustion and dehydration - both of which can be fatal.
Puppies are still developing and their pads are soft, so aim to spend at least half of your exercise time off hard ground. Avoid games that put pressure on their joints such as holding a toy up in the air for them to jump up and retrieve. Don’t allow socialization with other dogs until vaccinations are complete or until your vet says it’s OK.
Elderly dogs may slow down and tire more easily. As your dog ages, be prepared to make games shorter and less boisterous. They may be too excited to stop playing and risk injury. An older dog may become reluctant to go for a walk, especially on cooler days. Gentle exercise will help retain fitness and mobility.
Insufficient exercise will make your dog bored and overweight, with a tendency to destructive behavior. Make sure to walk your dog every day unless advised otherwise by your vet.
Canine treadmills are available, but do little to stimulate dogs and absolutely nothing for the human-animal bond – so get out your walking shoes, invest in some good quality toys and have fun together.
If you work long hours or are too busy to walk your own dog, we offer professional dog walking services. We come to your home and take your dog for a walk. We allow them to sniff and explore and also provide some basic training along the way.