Best Exercise for puppies, adult and senior dogs.
We all know the importance of exercise to our dogs. Daily dog walks are important and have many good benefits for your dog which includes physical and mental health improvement. Daily dog walks also reduced unwanted behaviors done out of boredom and anxiety. You may even ascribe to the saying, “a tired dog is a happy dog.” But have you ever find yourself wondering how much exercise your dog really needs or if you’re giving them enough exercise and mental stimulation?
Different dog needs different levels of activity, just as one may do well with an old-school collar while another needs a sturdy no-pull harness. It’s very important to consider your individual dog’s personality and activities because how much exercise your dog needs depends on several factors which includes age, breed, physical health and injury, and their environment.
Below are some guidelines we prepared for you, but be sure to consult with your veterinarian
before you start any exercise program for your dog.
How much exercise does my puppy need?
Puppies don’t need as much exercise as an adult dog. Puppies have so much energy but they also wear out quickly. They grow nonstop and take frequent naps, so plan only shorter burst of energy from your puppy.
In general, puppies need several short exercise sessions throughout the day; However, “exercise” means playtime for puppies! If you spend more time with your puppy, you’ll soon be able to read their body language and behavior, which makes it easier to know when they are ready to play and when they need to rest.
Long walks are not recommended because it can be hard on your puppy’s developing joints and bones. If you want to establish a dog walking routine, consider starting on short walks.
A recommended guideline is to walk five minutes for every month of your puppy’s life, up to twice a day. A 12-week-old puppy can also safely go on a 15-minute walk every morning and night.
How much exercise does my adult dog need?
It’s not surprising to hear that dog breed plays a big role in how much exercise your adult dog needs. While the two biggest factors to consider when exercising your dog are their health and age, their breed is an indication of their general activity level.
Some of the more active dog breeds are terriers, shepherds, retrievers, pointers and scent hounds requires more exercise.
An adult herding or sporting breed dog needs at least 60 to 90 minutes of exercise each day, in general. Harder exercises like running, playtime with other dogs or a hike should also be included. Extra-active dogs may also thrive in dog sports such as agility or flyball. Balance work is also becoming popular with dog owners.
Some of the less active dog breeds like toy breeds, giant breeds, brachycephalic, or snub-nosed breeds like pugs and French bulldogs require less exercise.
An adult toy breed or low-energy breed only requires anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise. For some dogs, it could mean a slow walk around the neighborhood. For others, it could mean a few games of fetch in the backyard. All dog’s activity needs to be depend on their age and their ability.
How much exercise does my senior dog need?
Dogs gait may stiffen with arthritis and they may tire more quickly on walks as they age. Exercise is still a vital part of your senior dog’s daily routine, even if your senior dog no longer moves as fast or as far as he used to.
There are joint supplements which can help with stiffness, but be sure to talk to your veterinarian about this option. Swimming can also be a wonderful alternative for dogs with joint issues.
Broken into two or more “activity sessions”, a senior dog needs about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day in general.
Mental Exercise
While physical exercise is important, mental stimulation also plays a big role on your dog’s overall health. Same as physical exercise, mental activities reduced unwanted behaviors done out of boredom, improve your dog’s mood and keeps you dog healthy.
Mental stimulation benefits all dogs, but it’s especially important for dogs who are injured and those who have limited mobility. They still need a good brain workout even if they don’t need as much as physical exercise anymore. Puzzle toys, obedience training, games like hide-and-seek, nosework or dog treathunt are good mental exercises for your dogs.
Remember that physical exercise and mental stimulation help keep your dog healthy and well-behaved.
Best Exercise for puppies, adult and senior dogs.
We all know the importance of exercise to our dogs. Daily dog walks are important and have many good benefits for your dog which includes physical and mental health improvement. Daily dog walks also reduced unwanted behaviors done out of boredom and anxiety. You may even ascribe to the saying, “a tired dog is a happy dog.” But have you ever find yourself wondering how much exercise your dog really needs or if you’re giving them enough exercise and mental stimulation?
Different dog needs different levels of activity, just as one may do well with an old-school collar while another needs a sturdy no-pull harness. It’s very important to consider your individual dog’s personality and activities because how much exercise your dog needs depends on several factors which includes age, breed, physical health and injury, and their environment.
Below are some guidelines we prepared for you, but be sure to consult with your veterinarian
before you start any exercise program for your dog.
How much exercise does my puppy need?
Puppies don’t need as much exercise as an adult dog. Puppies have so much energy but they also wear out quickly. They grow nonstop and take frequent naps, so plan only shorter burst of energy from your puppy.
In general, puppies need several short exercise sessions throughout the day; However, “exercise” means playtime for puppies! If you spend more time with your puppy, you’ll soon be able to read their body language and behavior, which makes it easier to know when they are ready to play and when they need to rest.
Long walks are not recommended because it can be hard on your puppy’s developing joints and bones. If you want to establish a dog walking routine, consider starting on short walks.
A recommended guideline is to walk five minutes for every month of your puppy’s life, up to twice a day. A 12-week-old puppy can also safely go on a 15-minute walk every morning and night.
How much exercise does my adult dog need?
It’s not surprising to hear that dog breed plays a big role in how much exercise your adult dog needs. While the two biggest factors to consider when exercising your dog are their health and age, their breed is an indication of their general activity level.
Some of the more active dog breeds are terriers, shepherds, retrievers, pointers and scent hounds requires more exercise.
An adult herding or sporting breed dog needs at least 60 to 90 minutes of exercise each day, in general. Harder exercises like running, playtime with other dogs or a hike should also be included. Extra-active dogs may also thrive in dog sports such as agility or flyball. Balance work is also becoming popular with dog owners.
Some of the less active dog breeds like toy breeds, giant breeds, brachycephalic, or snub-nosed breeds like pugs and French bulldogs require less exercise.
An adult toy breed or low-energy breed only requires anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise. For some dogs, it could mean a slow walk around the neighborhood. For others, it could mean a few games of fetch in the backyard. All dog’s activity needs to be depend on their age and their ability.
How much exercise does my senior dog need?
Dogs gait may stiffen with arthritis and they may tire more quickly on walks as they age. Exercise is still a vital part of your senior dog’s daily routine, even if your senior dog no longer moves as fast or as far as he used to.
There are joint supplements which can help with stiffness, but be sure to talk to your veterinarian about this option. Swimming can also be a wonderful alternative for dogs with joint issues.
Broken into two or more “activity sessions”, a senior dog needs about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day in general.
Mental Exercise
While physical exercise is important, mental stimulation also plays a big role on your dog’s overall health. Same as physical exercise, mental activities reduced unwanted behaviors done out of boredom, improve your dog’s mood and keeps you dog healthy.
Mental stimulation benefits all dogs, but it’s especially important for dogs who are injured and those who have limited mobility. They still need a good brain workout even if they don’t need as much as physical exercise anymore. Puzzle toys, obedience training, games like hide-and-seek, nosework or dog treathunt are good mental exercises for your dogs.
Remember that physical exercise and mental stimulation help keep your dog healthy and well-behaved.