How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need in a Day?

Being a great dog parent takes a lot of time and effort. We have to ensure that their meals are properly balanced, they have access to good veterinary care, and they have ample exercise to keep them healthy. This brings us to the question, how much exercise does your dog need?

As with people, the answer varies from dog to dog and is determined by age, health, and breed. However, you can follow a few general principles to ensure that your dog is getting enough exercise.

Do Puppies Need as Much Exercise?

You may have observed that your puppy does a lot of zoomies numerous times daily. Zoomies are easily recognized, with symptoms including frantic racing around the house and collapsing into a puppy pile, preferably on your lap.

Puppies generally have more energy than adult dogs and thus require more short bursts of energy-releasing activity, such as the zoomies. Because puppies are continually growing, taking multiple short walks or playing sessions throughout the day is a better option than taking one long walk, which can be too taxing on your puppy’s expanding body. Finally, every puppy is unique, and the more time you spend with them, the more you will discover how much activity they require to keep them happy. 

Consult your veterinarian or breeder about how much daily activity is appropriate for your puppy, and remember that exercise is an excellent way to train and socialize your new dog.

How Much Exercise Does an Adult Dog Need?

The dog’s breed significantly influences the amount of physical activity required by your dog. For example, border Collies and Belgian Malinois require far more exercise than low-energy breeds like the Bulldog or Basset Hound.

When selecting a puppy, keep the breed’s exercise requirements in mind. Buying an energetic dog breed is not a wise choice unless you already lead an active lifestyle, and expecting your toy Poodle to join you for marathon training is impractical unless you push him in a stroller.

The health of your dog is also crucial. If your adult dog has a medical condition, such as hip dysplasia or cardiac or respiratory problems, consult with your veterinarian about a suitable activity routine to keep him healthy without causing pain.

How Much Exercise Does a Senior Dog Need?

Your senior dog may be unable to run as long as it once could, and you may eventually have to limit her run to a walk, but adequate exercise is just as vital for your senior dog as it is for your puppy. Talk with your veterinarian about exercising your elderly dog, and keep an eye on their behavior. You are the greatest judge of how much exercise your dog can easily endure because you are the owner.

Exercise keeps all dogs mentally stimulated and active, which can help them live longer lives and minimize their risk of obesity.

What Kinds of Activities Can Dogs Do for Exercise?

Taking your dog for a stroll around the block is a fantastic place to start, and it may be sufficient for breeds with lower activity needs. Even couch potatoes like variety now and then, and there are numerous opportunities to exercise your dog in your daily life.

Being a great dog parent takes a lot of time and effort. We have to ensure that their meals are properly balanced, they have access to good veterinary care, and they have ample amount of exercise to keep them healthy. This brings us to the question, how much exercise does your dog need?

As with people, the answer varies from dog to dog and is determined by age, health, and breed. However, you can follow a few general principles to ensure that your dog is getting enough exercise.

Do Puppies Need as Much Exercise?

You may have observed that your puppy does a lot of zoomies numerous times daily. Zoomies are easily recognized, with symptoms including frantic racing around the house and collapsing into a puppy pile, preferably on your lap.

Puppies generally have more energy than adult dogs and thus require more short bursts of energy-releasing activity, such as the zoomies. Because puppies are continually growing, taking multiple short walks or playing sessions throughout the day is a better option than taking one long walk, which can be too taxing on your puppy’s expanding body. Finally, every puppy is unique, and the more time you spend with them, the more you will discover how much activity they require to keep them happy. 

Consult your veterinarian or breeder about how much daily activity is appropriate for your puppy, and remember that exercise is an excellent way to train and socialize your new dog.

How Much Exercise Does an Adult Dog Need?

The dog’s breed significantly influences the amount of physical activity required by your dog. For example, border Collies and Belgian Malinois require far more exercise than low-energy breeds like the Bulldog or Basset Hound.

When selecting a puppy, keep the breed’s exercise requirements in mind. Buying an energetic dog breed is not a wise choice unless you already lead an active lifestyle, and expecting your toy Poodle to join you for marathon training is impractical unless you push him in a stroller.

The health of your dog is also crucial. If your adult dog has a medical condition, such as hip dysplasia or cardiac or respiratory problems, consult with your veterinarian about a suitable activity routine to keep him healthy without causing pain.

How Much Exercise Does a Senior Dog Need?

Your senior dog may be unable to run as long as it once could, and you may eventually have to limit her run to a walk, but adequate exercise is just as vital for your senior dog as it is for your puppy. Talk with your veterinarian about exercising your elderly dog, and keep an eye on their behavior. You are the greatest judge of how much exercise your dog can easily endure because you are the owner.

Exercise keeps all dogs mentally stimulated and active, which can help them live longer lives and minimize their risk of obesity.

What Kinds of Activities Can Dogs Do for Exercise?

Taking your dog for a stroll around the block is a fantastic place to start, and it may be sufficient for breeds with lower activity needs. Even couch potatoes like variety now and then, and there are numerous opportunities to exercise your dog in your daily life.

Hiking

Dogs like being outside just as much as you do. Take your dog on your next vacation, or discover new parks and trails in your neighborhood.

Going With You When You Cycle

While not suitable for all dogs, many accompany their owners on rides. Cycling on the road is typically risky, but many municipalities have bike paths where you may ride with your dog safely.

Joining Skaters

Your dog can accompany you whether you inline skate, rollerblade, or skateboard. Skate in an enclosed space at first while training your dog for this new sport, and always wear adequate safety equipment.

Swimming

Swimming is excellent for dogs with joint problems since it provides low-impact exercise. A life jacket can allow your dog to stay in the water for extended periods, providing an excellent cardio workout.

Playing Fetch

Fetch does not have to be monotonous. Make your dog’s fetch routine more interesting by making her run uphill to get a ball or tossing a ball into the water. To keep your dog interested, alternate between balls, Frisbees, and other cherished toys.

Draft Work

Sled dog breeds aren’t the only ones who enjoy dog sledding. Larger breeds frequently enjoy draft work, whether with a sled, a cart, or skijoring, and these activities are equally enjoyable for humans.

Obedience

Obedience work may not appear to be exercise at first glance, but practicing recalling, retrieving, and reinforcing basic commands provides both mental stimulation and exercise. You can also train your dog to learn new tricks, such as weaving and whirling.

Dog Sports

With so many dog sports to select from, you and your dog can try new things or stick to old favorites. Some activities include lure coursing, scent work, agility, obedience, flyball, dock diving, Schutzhund, and Rally. 

Take Them to Parks

Dogs enjoy socializing with other dogs, so taking them to parks is a good idea. Canines, like humans, enjoy social connections, and they can invent and play their games. This will also help them improve their social interaction and discover new games to play with other canines.

You can also let your child play with the dog of a neighbor or a friend and watch them have a great time. If there are no other pets in the parks, owners can bring balls and toys to play with their dogs.

Agility Training for Hyperactive Dogs

Do you know there are dog yoga courses, often known as doga classes? Yes, there are agility classes and doga centers where your pet can get some exercise. You can now enroll your pet in such sessions and help them stay fit while working out with them. 

Are There Indoor Exercises or Activities You Can Do?

Inclement weather can disrupt your dog’s exercise schedule. Hot, chilly, and wet days make it difficult to spend long periods outside and may even pose health hazards. Here are some indoor dog activities you and your dog can undertake to relieve stress and stay fit.

Stairs

When you can’t get outside, run up and down the stairs a few times to gain muscle. Just be careful not to overwork your dog, as this activity is just as stressful for dogs as it is for humans. Take extra precautions with Dachshunds, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and other dogs with long backs and shorter legs, as stairs may be more difficult.

Hide-and-Seek

Hide-and-seek gets your dog moving while also stimulating his mind. You can also incorporate a chase game.

Treadmill

A treadmill is an excellent kind of dog exercise for high-energy breeds. Your dog may come to like treadmill workouts with careful training. Treadmills, while not a replacement for a stroll or a run outside, improve endurance and do not require good weather.

Tug

When done correctly, tug games help to build muscle and the human-animal bond. Most dogs enjoy tug, and an extensive range of tug toys are available.

Keep Away

Keep away is a simple game you may play at home if you have enough space. Someone else will be required to play with you and your dog. Grab any tiny thing that fits comfortably in your hand, throw it to each other, and let the dog enjoy attempting to catch it. Good news for multi-pet households: two or more dogs can play just as well without people!

Indoor Swimming

Swimming can be another excellent indoor training for your dog if your puppy is little enough and you have a reasonably sized bath or pool. Just make sure your pet does not develop a fear of water.

Which Hand Game

Which Hand is an excellent cognitive training game for dogs. Put a treat in your hand, close your fists, and show your dog both hands. Allow the dog to sniff the fists to determine which hand the treat is in. If your dog chooses the correct hand, give it a treat. If not, give it another shot.

The Shell Game

This is one of the best dog mind games for training attention and problem-solving skills. Take many cups or bowls, let your dog observe you lay a treat under one of them, then entirely rearrange them and allow your puppy to identify the proper treat location. The prize is well-deserved!

Mind Puzzles

Dogs become pretty active when faced with a mental challenge; thus, puzzle games for dogs are very amusing. The pet store has a wide selection of dog puzzles and games, so you can buy several and rotate them every couple of days.

Toys for Chewing or Chew Bones

Toys are an excellent way to burn calories. Some dogs are obsessed with chewing toys and bones, so acquiring a new toy can give them enough exercise for several days.

Laser Toys

Although laser games are commonly associated with cats, many dogs find them entertaining. Numerous laser toys are available, including some that allow you to play with your pet from a distance.