How To Exercise Your Dog: The Ultimate Guide

Like humans, dogs need exercise. But unlike their two-legged friends, most dogs enjoy being active and are always waiting to get out and about. There is a wealth of benefits associated with providing your dog with a regular exercise regime. An active lifestyle will help improve your pooch’s body and mind.

Whilst we might decide to dust off the runners and head out jogging on a whim, it’s important to make sure your dog is ready to go. Despite their enthusiasm, a sudden change in activity levels isn’t always great for man’s best friend. So, it pays to understand their needs and what to do when you decide to introduce your dog to exercise. That’s why it’s important to consult with your veterinarian regarding the health of your dog and their fitness for physical activity.

We’ve put together the ultimate guide to exercising your dog including things to consider that will make sure your canine is both happy and healthy when out getting fit.

In this Article:

• The Benefits of Exercising Your Dog
• Determine How Much Exercise Your Dog Needs
• What To Consider Before Exercising with Your Dog
• What To Consider While Exercising Your Dog
• After Exercising Your Dog
• Ways To Exercise with Your Dog
• Tap Into Your Dogs Strengths
• Nutritional Needs of Active Dogs

The Benefits of Exercising Your Dog

A healthy dog is a happy dog, and the benefits of exercising your dog are boundless. As with humans, exercise will help with a dog’s metabolism, tone their muscles and help improve the body’s overall functioning. It is also great for the mind, keeping them happy and engaged.

All dogs require a level of exercise and the amount required can differ based their size, age and breed. Exercising also gives pooches and their owners an opportunity to bond, creating a fulfilling experience and an improved quality of life for your dog.

Determine How Much Exercise Your Dog Needs

Before launching your dog into a new exercise program, you need to consider the type of important activities you are planning and the level of exercise your dog needs. No two dogs are built the same, and while there are basic guidelines, it’s best to tailor your dog’s activities to their needs based on their size, age and breed. Always consult your veterinarian.

How Much Exercise Do Puppies Need?

Puppies have energy to burn when they are little, they can go all day. As their bodies are still developing, it is important to be considerate of the amount of physical activity they are doing. Take puppies for regular short walks and play sessions, as opposed to long hikes and fetch sessions, which can put a strain on their growing bodies. Activities like zoomies and getting to know other dogs at the park are often enough activity to get a pup’s body moving.

Combining exercise, play and obedience training together can provide plenty of long-term benefit for young dogs. At this age, they are willing participants. Incorporating play with training will not only give them the workout they need, but also create good behaviors and a positive attitude well into their life.

How Much Exercise Do Adult Dogs Need?

Adult dogs require an average of 30-60 minutes of exercise per day. The exercise doesn’t have to be extreme where the dog shows physical signs of exhaustion or strain. A half-hour walk will help you reach your own personal exercise goals. Incorporate that with some play or fetch at the park, and your pooch should have had plenty of activity for the day.

There can be lots of different variables that will affect how much exercise your dog needs. Some dogs can get away with a half-hour walk around the block. However, if you have an active breed, it may need longer and more intense workouts, such as hikes lasting several hours, or agility training to keep its energy levels in check. A couple of good long sessions during the week or on the weekend when you’ve got more time will help a more active dog burn off that steam.

Your dog will often show signs if it needs more exercise. Restlessness and pacing back and forth are often good indicators that they need a bit more physical activity.

How Much Exercise Do Senior Dogs Need?

Regardless of becoming less active as they grow older, exercise for senior dogs is just as important as it is for adults and pups. Just be wary of the types of activities you engage them in.

Be conscious that senior dogs have lower energy levels, weaker joints and often different ailments that will keep them from doing all the things they could once do when they were younger. While some activities will be too difficult, lighter activities like walking and swimming can be excellent choices. Breaking exercise into shorter, more frequent sessions, will provide them the exercise they need.

What To Consider Before Exercising with Your Dog

Even if you’re an elite athlete, your pooch may not be ready for a half marathon. So, take this into account when you begin exercising with your dog. The reality is most dogs have plenty of energy, but excessive exercise and overdoing it can bring up problems and potentially cause injury.

Start with something easy. Some light exercise, like a 10–15-minute walk around the block, will be comfortable for your dog and give you a chance to monitor how they are doing. If everything is going well, then you can increase the time by a few more minutes over a couple of days, allowing your pup to slowly build up their exercise threshold.

Remember to bring the appropriate supplies to keep your dog engaged and comfortable, including treats, toys, dog-waste bags and a collapsible water bowl.

What To Consider While Exercising Your Dog

You should always be monitoring your dog while working out, especially when it is a new activity for them. Keep an eye on their breathing and any signs of discomfort or fatigue. If they are showing any of these signs, stop for a minute and give them a rest until they seem ready to go. If they appear really fatigued, it might be worth calling it and heading home for the day. You don’t want to accidentally cause more harm than good. Exercise should be an activity you can both enjoy.

Dog parks and off-lead areas are great places for your pooch to get some exercise in while having fun. The best thing about these places is that your dog can manage their own energy levels as they get to decide when to stop and take a break. Another great reason for visiting these spots is for the opportunity for our four-legged friends to socialize amongst other pooches, giving them a good mental and physical workout. Many dedicated dog areas have water stations and dog-waste bags to accommodate a session in the park.

Important note: We highly recommend making sure your dog’s vaccinations are up to date before taking them to an off-leash park around other dogs.

Be Cautious of Your Dog Overheating

Heat can play a big factor when taking your dog out to exercise. Stay cautious on hot, sunny days as dogs can be prone to heatstroke. Short-nosed brachycephalic breeds, such as pugs, are particularly vulnerable when it comes to heat intolerance. Consider what part of the day you take your dog out and, where possible, try and avoid the middle of the day when it is hottest.

Signs that your dog is beginning to overheat include:

Excessive drooling

• Seeking out shade
• Seeking out water
• Heavy, continuous panting
• Sluggishness and slowing down
• Hazy eyes
• Increased pulse
• Vomiting

If your pooch is showing any of these signs, stop the activity, take them to a shaded area and give them some water to help them cool down. If the symptoms don’t reduce, it is worth consulting with your local veterinarian.

After Exercising Your Dog

The first thing your dog is going to want after a workout is a nice big bowl of water, so make sure there is plenty available for your pooch to stay hydrated. To help engage and foster a love of exercise in your pup, give them lots of positive reinforcement with rewards and treats. Soon, they’ll be dragging you out the door for your next run.

For more instructions on how to best care for your dog after exercising, it’s important that you consult with your vet.

Ways To Exercise with Your Dog

Indoor Exercise Activities 

Even if it's raining outside, there’s no reason your dog can’t exercise.

• Hide and seek: A great activity for your dog's health, and if you incorporate treats in the search, a great workout for your dog's senses. Keep the game interesting by constantly changing hiding spots.
• Treadmill: With careful training, dogs can get the hang of using a treadmill. They are a fantastic tool for keeping dogs busy and healthy.
• Fetch: With a long corridor, a bit of space and something soft to throw, a game of fetch can be an indoor game. Just don’t throw it towards anything too valuable, as dogs are pretty good at knocking things over when they get excited.
• Obstacle courses: If you have a big enough space in your house, it can be fun to create an obstacle course. Jumping over chairs, going under tables and weaving in and out of obstacles are good for your dog's agility.

Outdoor Exercises Activities

When the sun shines, it’s time to get outdoors.

• Obedience training: both a physical and mental exercise for your four-legged friend. Dogs can learn new commands and tricks, as well as have some fun.
• Backpacking: A great hiking activity to get you and your dog into the great outdoors. All that backpacking requires is a backpack for your dog. It is a good idea to get your dog used to the backpack by carrying lighter loads around the house. Healthy dogs can comfortably walk up to 20 miles.
• Swimming: Dogs love the water and the beach, making swimming the perfect low-impact exercise for dogs with joint problems. Swimming comes naturally for most dogs and can be a great way to stay cool during hot weather.
• Flyball: A relay race for furballs to test their agility and speed. Flyball consists of a series of jumps and a flyball box that must be navigated. The first team to finish the course correctly wins.
• Agility training: Jumps and obstacles are a fun and handy way to build up your dog's agility and fitness.
• Jogging: This activity speaks for itself. For two and four-legged friends alike, jogging is a great way to stay healthy and build up good cardio health.
• Sledding: Whether it’s a sled or a cart, this activity isn’t just for sled-dog breeds. Bigger dogs love this activity too, and it’s great for building strength and endurance.

Tap Into Your Dogs Strengths

Different dog breeds are suited to different activities. Most medium to large dogs make good running companions, and all dogs welcome a walk or hike. Breeds like water dogs and retrievers love swimming and fetching. Herding and working dogs enjoy exercises that test agility. High-energy breeds like Border Collies and Kelpies enjoy longer and more intense exercises.

Do some research, have a chat with your veterinarian and ask them to recommend exercises that suit your breed of dog. National Kennel Clubs and associated approved breeders are also good sources of information regarding breeds and physical activities they are accustomed to.