How Much Is Enough ?

Before discussing your dog's specific exercise needs, a differentiation must be made between "exercise" and "activity level." When we talk about exercise in this section, it refers generally to outdoor undertakings or indoor substitutes for outdoor work. Activity level, on the other hand, refers to the normal, every day actions of a dog, usually in the home. Many dogs tend to run around indoors a lot, while others spend most of their indoor time sleeping or sitting quietly. Some small dogs have a very high activity level and scurry around almost continuously indoors, playing with toys or other pets, jumping up and down on furniture, going up and down stairs and keeping an eye on the passing world outside. In many instances, this constant activity of small dogs adds up to almost enough daily exercise. Large dogs, however, may have very low indoor activity levels but require a great deal of outdoor exercise. Probably the single most important factor to consider in determining just how much exercise is enough for a dog is genetics. What was this kind of dog bred to do? Over the years dogs may have been bred selectively to meet certain needs or serve particular purposes. Some breeds have been developed to be hunters or retrievers, some to work at tasks such as herding or pulling heavy loads, and others to serve only as companions for humans.  In general dogs who were developed for hunting and retrieving, including hounds and terriers, have very high energy and require a lot of daily exercise to stay in shape and work off excess pep and ginger. On the other hand, dogs developed primarily as companions (the non sporting non working breeds and the toys) are usually not as highly energetic and can get along quite well with moderate daily exercise. Size and shape are also factors. Short -legged dogs such as Dachshunds and tiny toy dogs will use up a lot of energy simply running around the house or on a short walk. Usually, males of all breeds are more energetic and need more exercise than females do. Most dogs are remarkably adaptable, however, and can adjust to less-than ideal conditions. In addition to appetite and general behavior, assessment of a dog's weight by hand, is a good way to tell if it is in good condition and getting enough exercise.

Ways to Exercise a Dog

Location, climate and the makeup of the family a dog lives with will certainly determine what kind of exercise predominates. A dog who lives in a household with several active youngsters probably doesn't need any extra exercise after romping in the yard with the children. On the other hand, a dog living alone with working adults in a city apartment will need a planned, appropriate exercise regimen.

Walking

Walking is the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about exercising a dog. In the city and the suburbs, where dogs are generally indoors most of the time, a walk on the leash several times a day is a neccessity for sanitary reasons as well as for exercise. A short turn around the block in the morning and evening and a quick trip out to the nearest hydrant before bedtime are probably sufficient for most small housedogs. Larger and more energetic dogs will need additional, longer walks or a run in the park or in the country.

Running Free

There are fewer and fewer communities in which dogs are allowed to run completely free. However, many owners of dogs in restricted areas still allow their dogs to run freely during off-hours, when dog-control personnel are not on duty. Dogs who are kept in all day and allowed out to run only at specified times will usually be sufficiently elated at their freedom to take at least a short run and get some exercise. But dogs who are allowed to be loose all of the time or who are kept in a large, enclosed yards often fail to exercise at all. If Rover chooses to sleep on the lawn all day instead of running around, owners should be sure to give him some supplementary exercise. Most hunting dogs and retrievers, especially males, will take off for the next county if there allowed complete freedom. Responsible dog ownership doesn't mean letting a dog do whatever comes naturally when it comes to running free. Take care to protect dogs who tend to roam from injury, loss, and even theft, a big price to pay for exercise that's effortless for the owner. These dogs would do better in an enclosed yard with daily vigorous play or controlled runs.

Running a Dog

There are two ways of running a dog: letting it run under controlled conditions and running with it. If a dog is going to be run in a park or school-yard, in the country, or at the beach, it should be under some control. Even out in the country an owner has to be sure that the dog will not take off after a squirrel, skunk or another dog and disappear. Games such as may seem to be a good idea, but there's no assurance that a dog won't be distracted and run off, especially if it is young and high spirited. The best form of control is a leash and a collar or harness. about 12 feet of leash that is spring controlled retracting leads that are excellent and recommended for most dogs. Some active owners take their dogs jogging with them. This is very good exercise, but it is important not to over do it. Just because a dog looks and seems healthy is no assurance that it does not have heart trouble or potential joint disorders.  Before beginning to jog with a dog , make sure their body can withstand the strain. Dogs generally will not complain, and in eagerness to be with and please their owners, they may over do to the point of exhaustion. Running on hard surfaces like concrete or asphalt for long periods can wear a dogs foot pad raw, a soft surface, like grass or dirt, is better. It is not a good idea to exercise a dog by having it run behind a bicycle or car. Even if it can be managed without using a well traveled road, there are great potential risks. Even a slow moving bicycle or car will maintain a speed level that even the best conditioned dog cannot keep up with for more than a few minutes without badly straining its heart and skeletal system.

Games to Play - Toys

If it is not possible or practical to run a dog, there are a number of excellent ways of exercising a dog while playing with them. One of the best and most enjoyable games to play with a dog is catch, or fetch. A dog doesn't need to be a retriever to enjoy chasing a ball or fetching a toy or stick. The nicest thing about a game of catch or fetch is that the dog does all of the work and gets a great deal of exercise. Tug-of-War is another good game to play with your dog. Large dogs and breeds with undershot jaws and good grips, such as Bull Dogs and Boxers, particularly love this game, and it is excellent exercise for a dog's legs and shoulder muscles. There are rubber toys and ropes on the market specially design for any dog breed there is. Care should be taken not to pull too hard with a teething pup or with an older dog that may have loose teeth.

Exercising a Fat Dog

Dogs who need to lose weight can be helped to burn up calories and develop muscle tone by increasing the time spent walking, running or playing games, indoors or out. Every time an overweight dog moves, it is putting a great deal of strain on its heart, circulatory system, and joints so owners should be particularly careful to increase exercise gradually, never exceeding the point when your dog becomes obviously tired. Eventually, an added half hour a day of some kind of fairly vigorous exercise may help your dog shed those extra pounds and stay slim and trim.

Training for Vigorous Exercise or Hard Work

If your dog is going to take part in vigorous exercise, such as racing or hunting, or indulge in hard work pulling a sled or herding cattle, it must of course, be conditioned well ahead of time. The same rule applies to conditioning a dog's body to withstand heavy strain.  Just because your dogs is in the prime of its life doesn't mean that it can suddenly be asked to do hard physical work without building up to it. There are a number of good ways to condition your dog to be able to perform various physical tasks; there are also a great many incorrect ways to train your dog and a number of pitfalls that should be avoided. Owners who are not trainers should not attempt to train a dog for a difficult or special task without professional advice or help. Breed associations and interest clubs and groups will recommend a good professional trainer for almost any type of special task you want your dog to learn.

Special Exercise Considerations

There are some times in a dog's life when it is best to go very easy on the exercise or even to restrain a very active dog from exercising to much. Young growing puppies, for instance, need no exercise beyond what they get naturally playing with their littermates. Once a pup is taken away from its brothers and sisters, it will still get a lot of exercise running around the house or yard. Puppy bones are very soft and their joints are tender; and owners have to be careful not to let them run wildly on slippery surfaces or they may break a bone. Overweight puppies and pups of very large breeds with heavy bones and bodies are particularly suseptable to joint disorders and can develop skeletal deformities if they are allowed to jump or run excessively. Puppies usually sleep immediately after eating. If they are forced to exercise, they will probably throw up. Puppies under six months of age tire very quickly and should be allowed to exercise at their own pace and stop whenever they want. After a pup is half grown, a normal but moderate exercise regimen can be started. It is very important that a pregnant dog be in good physical condition, it's also important that as the pregnancy progresses some care is taken. Jumping and exercise that  involves any kind of twisting motion should be avoided as she becomes real big. Vigorous exercise should always be avoided right after meals, but it is particularly important that pregnant dogs avoid after-eating exercise, which might lead to extreme discomfort. As the time for delivery approaches, it is best to let her determine for herself how much exercise she wants to do. Old dogs must continue to move every day, but they should not  be required to indulge in overstrenuous exercise. A walk is more suitable for an older dog than a brisk run, and shorter play periods several times a day are a good replacement for an extended playtime. Controlled frequent movement rather than vigorous physical exercise is the key for all older dogs. Thoughtful owners will never let an older dog be pushed into doing to much, nor will they let it get into the habit of being completely sedentary. There is no point in trying to interest a sick dog in a game of catch or a run. Owners should take the signal from a dog who is not well and allow it to set its own pace when it comes to exercise. As soon as it feels better and is ready again, it will let you know.