Most dogs should get 1-2 hours of exercise daily to help keep them healthy. Your dog may need more or less depending on age, breed and tolerance.
Dog sports
There are many exciting dog sports out there these days, and new ones seem to be surfacing often. Sports like agility and canine freestyle will offer some light to moderate exercise for your dog a great workout.
To get started in a dog sport, do some research to find the ones that might be right for your dog. Then, look for classes in your dog. Then, look for classes in your area that will help you and your dog learn the sport.
Swimming
Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs know how to swim. Other dogs simply don’t like swim. But if you have a water dog, you know it. Let that dog swim ! You can incorporate the game of fetch with swimming to make it even more fun. Just remember these water safety tips.
Game
You can play many fun games with your dog, some of which will provide some exercise too. Fetch, hide-and-seek, and tug of war all provide moderate exercise for your dog and light exercise for you.
Running
This is a great form of exercise for some dogs. Not all dog can tolerate this type of exercise, but some dogs simply can’t get enough.
Running with dog can be made easier when you use a hands-free-leash. Off-leash running is not generally recommended but may be considered if your dog has a truly reliable recall and local laws allow off-leash dogs.
Make sure o start slowly and work your way up to higher speeds and longer distance when you first begin running with your dog. Avoid running in hot temperatures. Check in with your dog regularly to monitor his exercise tolerance and take breaks as needed.
Hiking
Hiking gives your dog a chance to explore the world on a deeper level than a simple walk.
Start with short day hikes on a cooler day. Avoid difficult trails with a lot of rough terrain until your dog gets used to easy to moderate hikes and will be more sure-footed.
Walking
Walking is the classic form of exercise we tend to give our dogs. But that’s okay, most dogs love to walk. In addition to getting some exercise, a walk is a great way for your dog to explore the world with her nose. Don’t rush it ! Let her take the time to sniff around during route every so often so your dog will het to see and smell new things.
Cycling
Riding a bike with your dog can be fun id you do it right. The most important thing is to start slowly. Let your dog get used to the bike. Then, let her acclimate to running and keeping up with up. Ride slowly as possible at first and avoid a lot of twists and turns. Your dog should be leashed, so you may want to find a good bicycle attachment so you won’t have to hold your dog’s leash.
