Exercise And Your Dog - The Essential Ingredient For Dog Health
There are several different reasons why dog health is so closely tied with exercise routines and overall dog care programs such as feeding, grooming and training. Exercise is not just an extra activity for canines; it is actually required for proper body functioning, digestion and circulation. Dogs that are excessively sedate, the "couch potato" dogs, are much more likely to be obese, have respiratory, neurological and circulatory problems as well as develop conditions such as diabetes and joint and muscle problems. They also tend to have a shorter lifespan and more chronic health conditions as they age.
Breed Issues
Exercise is critical for all breeds, however some dogs, based on breed, age and health levels, will require different types of exercise. Dog health does vary with several factors and knowing what conditioning level your dog is in will help you determine what level of exercise they need. Some breeds, such as long backed dogs like Dachshunds and Bassett Hounds, need routine exercise to keep their weight down as well as strengthen the muscles along their spine for support. It is important with these types of dogs to provide the right type of exercise as part of your dog care routine. This means no jumping but lots of walking, swimming and running.
Other breeds, especially working and hunting dogs, will tend to need more exercise than breeds developed as companion dogs. Terriers are another high energy group of dogs. These dogs that have been bred for hunting, working and activity will turn to destructive behaviors such as chewing, digging and barking as ways to burn off excess energy if routine exercise is not provided as part of the dog care routine.
Ideas For Exercise
Of course everyone knows about walking their dog as part of dog care programs, but there are also fun and different ways for your dog to get some exercise. If you are bored with the same old routine for dog health and activity, consider one or more of the following:
- Taking your dog to the lake, pond or beach for a swim
- Setting up a doggy play date and having a friend bring a dog over to play
- Playing a game of fetch or Frisbee
- Jogging with your dog
- Hiking, camping or trekking with your dog
- Obedience or agility training and competitions
Remember just like with people dogs need to build up slowly to prolonged or intense energy, especially if they have put on weight or have been inactive. Start with five to ten minutes of mild to moderate activity three or more times a day and then gradually increase the duration as well as intensity of the activity. Keep monitoring your dogs behavior during exercise to see when increasing the intensity or length of the exercise time makes sense.
By focusing in on your dog's activity level you may be surprised to find out how much or how little exercise they get during the day. Some dogs will self-exercise or play in the house when you are gone but a great many just sleep and relax until you get back home. Monitoring your dog and adding one more structured exercise time per day can really help with overal dog health and weight management. Dog care really does start with a good exercise program as well as good feeding, grooming and other dog care routines.
