Dogs that don’t get enough exercise will experience stress and its symptoms. Also, they will often suffer from many of the same diseases that humans do when they don’t get enough exercise including obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Your dog will remain healthy and relaxed if you give him plenty of exercise.
If you need additional motivation to provide exercise for your dog, remember it will be good for you too. When you take your dog out for two fifteen minute walks per day, you will be getting the minimum amount of exercise recommended by the US Surgeon General for human beings.
Walking your dog for a total of ½ hour per day (you can even break it up into three ten minute blocks) is considered “light exercise.” Light exercise results in most of the cardiovascular benefits that heavy exercise gives you without all the sweat and effort.
Don’t forget to take your dog out for a leisurely walk once in a while where he can go where ever he wants and can smell things for as long as he wants. There are so many things to smell and look at in parks and on quiet roads. This will provide a relaxing peaceful form of exercise for both of you.
In addition to walks, there are other kinds of exercise your dog will enjoy. Running around with other dogs at dog parks is good exercise and your dog will like being with other dogs. Playing fetch in your yard or at a park is a great way to get your dog running.
Many dogs like to swim but check with your vet because both salt water and chlorine can be drying and can cause skin irritation and lakes often have chemical runoffs which can make your dog ill.
If you are unable to provide adequate exercise for your dog, you can hire a dog walker. Dog walkers usually walk your dog with several other dogs, which provides your dog with companionship and socialization in addition to exercise.
Many dogs like to swim but check with your vet because both salt water and chlorine can be drying and can cause skin irritation and lakes often have chemical runoffs which can make your dog ill.