Playing and exercising with dogs can promote a healthy and happy life. Whether your dog is a teeny-tiny German shepherd or a big Great Dane, he needs exercise and plays to live a happy and healthy life.
Basics of dog play and exercise
Here are some ways to make exercise and play a part of a daily schedule with your dog:
- Walk outside: Walking outside is great for your dog as it exercises your dog and promotes exploration.
- Sign up for an obedience or agility class together: In addition to learning new things in the class, your dog will also enjoy playing with other dogs in the class.
- Play a game: Games like tug of war, flying disc and fetch are not just fun, they also provide mental stimulation.
- Do you have a treadmill? Train your dog to walk calmly on the treadmill in a fun and relaxing manner. Treadmills are great for exercising your dog when you can’t get her outside. Keep in mind that dogs on a treadmill shouldn’t be left unmonitored.
Do’s and Dont’s of Dog exercise and play
- Do consider the physical condition and need of your dog. If your dog is still growing, you shouldn’t stress his growing muscles, bones, and joints through strenuous exercise and jumping.
- Do take it slow. If you have never kept an exercise routine with your dog, don’t rush into it in a bid to make up for the lost time. Jumping into a rigorous exercise routine may be dangerous for your dog. Start slowly with short periods of exercise activity and increase the time, distance and speed gradually.
- Begin exercise routine by running or walking with your dog on soft surfaces such as grass, sand or dirt until her pads harden. Also, make sure to trim your dog’s nails to prevent tears whenever she runs.
- Do put a reflective collar on your dog. Also, when you are exercising at night, wear a white or light colored cloth and use a bright leash on your dog so you can both be visible.
- Don’t exercise your dog before or after a meal. Exercising your dog after a meal, that is, with a full stomach can cause digestive upsets.
- Do check your dog’s feet for grass, snow, ice, rocks, and burrs. Should you find any, remove immediately! More importantly, check your dog carefully for ticks after an outdoor exercise.
- Do clean up after your dog and obey local laws that permit using a leash on your dog. You can visit your animal control department or local police department to tell you more about the local laws in your area.
- Do give your dog sufficient amounts of water before and after exercise.
- More importantly, don’t go out when the weather condition isn’t favorable. Running outside when the weather is cold or hot is dangerous for dogs. Just because your dog is willing to run with you when the weather is hot doesn’t mean that it’s safe or healthy for him.
