Regular exercise is one of the most important factors in maintaining healthy bodies and minds through weight management, increased energy levels, better sleep, and improved mental health. As with many things, the same can be applied to our dog too.
Daily walks allow your dog to stretch their legs, build muscle, and get the blood pumping. In addition, this exercise provides your dog stimulation and enrichment and can help reduce problem behaviours.
Still, with hectic schedules and busy lifestyles, it can be challenging for owners to commit to the required amount of exercise that dogs need on a daily basis. Fortunately, we have the perfect solution.
How Much Exercise Do Dogs Need?
Your dog’s daily exercise needs depend on a number of factors, including age, breed, weight, health condition, and diet. Still, aiming to give your dog an hour of exercise each day is a great starting point for maintaining good health.
In general, a puppy will have higher energy levels and, therefore, more significant exercise requirements than an adult or senior dog, so it’s important to consider the breed of dog you adopt into your home and ensure that you can meet their daily needs. These young pups often have short bursts of energy (which you may recognise as a case of the zoomies), so it’s a good idea to schedule short bursts of high-energy exercise rather than one long walk, which could be tiring for their developing bodies.
At the other end of the spectrum, senior dogs will generally have reduced exercise needs as their body slows down with age. Exercise is crucial at any stage of life, but shorter, more gentle bouts of activity are best suited to ageing dogs – particularly those with health issues.
Again, regardless of your dog’s age, their exercise needs can vary depending on breed and general health. If you’re unsure how much exercise your dog requires, you can schedule a check-up with your vet. You can also monitor your dog’s sleep and engagement in everyday life to ensure you provide them with the optimum amount of exercise.
What Is The Best Exercise For My Dog?
You can enjoy many exercises with your dog, though a good walk is always a great place to start. Taking your dog for a stroll is a great way to get their body moving, breathe in the fresh air, and experience the stimulation of the outside world. Additionally, it is a low-impact exercise that is easy to tailor to your dog’s needs. For example, if you have a high-energy dog, you could take a jog or cycle while your dog runs alongside. Or, you could find a place to take a break halfway through the walk and engage your dog in a game of fetch.
Swimming is another popular exercise for dogs of all ages and abilities. Even senior dogs with arthritis and similar ailments can enjoy the benefits of a hydrotherapy pool. On rainy days, you can play games like hide and seek or tug-of-war. You can also incorporate obedience training, scent work, and other activities into your daily routine to vary the exercise, increase enrichment, and strengthen the bond between you and your dog.
What Are The Benefits Of Exercise For My Dog?
Dogs have an abundance of energy that they have to direct somewhere; if you don’t provide them with a suitable outlet for this energy, it can quickly evolve into problem behaviours such as excessive chewing, barking, and anxiety-related behaviours. Along with preventing unwanted behaviours in your pup, exercise provides several important health benefits:
It keeps them fit and healthy.
Regular exercise helps your dog stay in shape and maintain their fitness levels. This helps to prevent obesity and its associated health issues while keeping your dog fit enough to engage in their favourite games.
Maintains healthy joints.
Taking your dog for regular walks helps to keep their joints moving and ease any pain they might be feeling. This exercise also helps to strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints, providing better support and helping to prevent conditions such as arthritis.
Supports mental health.
Not only does exercise release feel-good endorphins, but getting outside and exploring a new environment also provides vital enrichment for your dog. They will love exploring the new smells, sounds, and sights on offer. Plus, being around other people, dogs, and animals can help them socialise and feel less anxious when meeting new people.
It helps maintain healthy digestion.
Regular walks aren’t just a good form of exercise; they also allow your dog to go to the toilet. Giving them regular access to toileting areas can help to eliminate constipation and prevent urinary infections from developing.
Builds their bond and confidence.
Getting outside and going for walks is a great way to develop your dog’s confidence while strengthening the bond between you. Mixing up sessions to incorporate playtime is another excellent way to build on your relationship. And this increase in confidence can help to reduce separation anxiety.
How Can I Ensure That My Dog Is Getting Enough Exercise?
Ensuring your dog gets enough exercise is critical for their physical and mental wellbeing. Still, setting aside a dedicated hour each day can be challenging with work, kids, and other responsibilities. And that’s where Mad Paws dog walking services can help.
There are probably certain days of the week when many things are happening all at once: work meetings, kid’s recitals, sports gatherings, etc. Whatever the reasons, there will be days when you struggle to prioritise your pup. But maintaining a regular walking schedule is one of the best ways to ensure your dog gets enough exercise.
On these busy days, why not hire a dog walker? This way, you can focus on your other responsibilities while feeling satisfied that your dog is having their needs met too. Best of all, you can set up a repeat booking to avoid facing the same set of worries each week.
What Are The Benefits Of Setting Up Repeat Bookings?
Mad Paws offers reliable and trusted sitters who will conduct a meet and greet before you entrust your precious pup to their services. Once you’ve found the right walker for your dog, you can set up a repeat booking to make life that little bit easier. This offers several benefits for you and your pup, including:
- You can set a schedule so that your dog has a consistent and fulfilling exercise routine
- You can get to know the walker better and increase your trust in them
- You don’t have to worry about messaging back and forth each week to secure a walker
- As the walker gets to know more about your dog, they can tailor their programme to meet your dog’s needs specifically
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