Exercise is an essential ingredient in any dog’s life. Not only is it good for our dogs but it is beneficial for us as well. It gets us out of the house each day and we also burn some calories. The dog park is also a social place for like minded dog-loving people to meet. I know of several couples who have met when walking their dog!
People often ask how much exercise they should give their dogs and the answer really depends on the breed. Working dogs like Border Collies and Kelpies are highly active and require plenty of off leash running each day. Other dogs, like Great Danes and St Bernard’s might be larger in size but actually require a lot less exercise. Because the characteristics of each breed differ so dramatically (i.e size, weight, bone structure/density & stamina) what’s beneficial for one breed could be dangerous for another, so it is important to learn about your breed before you buy so that you know what you’re getting into. Talk to breeders, owners, clubs & vets and research on-line.
Note: Puppies- because these little guys have a tendency to be overactive in the first place, great care must be taken not to over do it. Whilst their energy is seemingly limitless, their stamina and fitness levels need to be built up gently and gradually to allow for their developing bones. You should wait until they are 6 months before allowing a lot of exercise
Don’t forget, exercise isn’t just about physical fitness. As with humans, a healthy body aids a healthy mind. There’s no surer way to develop anti-social behavioural problems such as barking, biting, aggression, hyperactivity and disobedience in your dog than to deprive him of his exercise. So many neurotic dogs are simply calling out for more exercise.
Try to vary your dog’s exercise routine- they benefit mentally and physically from the stimulation of different activities. Be creative and don't just walk the same path every day.
Here are some popular exercise options that might inspire you.
LEAD WALKING: probably the most common method of exercising dogs especially in the inner city and areas where there are no off leash parks available. Do be a little careful as concrete paths can be tough on old or injured dogs.
FREE RUNNING: left to run leash free in wide open spaces like ovals or bush terrain. This is a better workout than lead walking but you must be confident that your dog will come when you call it and will also socialise properly with other dogs and people. Not recommended for puppies.
SWIMMING: highly recommended for most breeds, as it’s gentle and low impact; either a dog-friendly public venue like beach, dam, river (check local councils for more info) or a backyard pool if you have one.
THROWING BALL: very popular, but not without risk. Whilst the dog loves the challenge of trying to run, jump and catch the object mid-air, there is a high risk of damage to the cruciate ligament here. If the dog lands on its hind legs the wrong way or too abruptly, the ligament can easily be twisted or torn.
The safest way to play this game is to throw the ball and hold your dog back until it’s landed, then send him to run and fetch. Granted it’s probably not as much fun, but it’s a lot safer in the long run. Another down side of ball throwing is the slobbery ball but there is help at hand with a great product called the ‘chuck-it’ stick which allow s you to pick up and throw the ball a good distance without touching it at all.
Note- fetching a stick. Although this is an oldie, this is definitely NOT a goodie. The dog may get the stick or a splinter lodged in his mouth or throat. I don’t recommend that you use sticks at all.
PLAYING KONG: This is my dog’s personal favourite. A Kong is a rubber toy attached to a nylon rope. The rope allows you to throw the ball a long way and the irregular shape of the rubber toy makes it impossible to predict which way it will bounce. We have a floating kong that Toby takes swimming with him as well.
FRISBEE: This has the same dangers as ball throwing with regards to ligament damage, but I do understand the satisfaction for both dog and owner when the Frisbee is successfully caught. The lower you throw it the safer. Also, make sure you by a soft Frisbee as hard ones can break teeth.
AGILITY: this can be simply fun or a competitive activity where dogs and owners race against the clock while taking an obstacle course. Obstacles include tunnels, jumps and weaving poles. It’s a fun way for your dog to keep fit and exercise his brain at the same time. Different groups cater for different levels of agility / fitness / competitiveness.
Formore information about agility or to find a club click here
FLY BALL: This is a fast and furious sport that dogs LOVE. It is a race between two teams of four dogs. Each lane has four hurdles for the dog to jump before touching a box that shoots out a tennis ball and the dog then jumps back over the hurdles to his eager team mate who is ready to go. The height of the hurdle s is adjusted according to size, so even the smallest dogs can join in. This game incorporates everything a dog loves to do-chasing, jumping, catching ,retrieving and striving to please owners. This really is a fun sport to get involved with because the dogs go crazy with excitement and so do the owners.
To find a fly ball club in your click here