Welcome to week four of Fenrir’s 12 Week Plan! We know last week was a pretty heavy topic, so this one is going to be a little lighter. This week we’ll be going over the hows and whys of exercise.
Most of you have heard the phrase “a tired dog is a good dog,” but what does that mean for you and for your home? What does it look like? Simply put: a tired dog is less prone to boredom and destructive behaviours. If you take them out to play and exercise, they won’t be looking for indoor activities like chewing up shoes and furniture.
However, your dog’s needs will change as they age. A puppy’s needs are much different than that of a senior. Your puppy will want to play frequently while an older dog may be content with a walk in the morning.
You’re probably still asking yourself, “Okay, but how often should I walk my dog or play with them?” We’re here to help answer that question and some other more common ones.
Exercise Basics
There is no one size fits all when it comes to how often and what type of exercise your dog will need. Their needs depend on all sorts of factors like breed, age, health, diet , and personality. A german shepherd’s needs are much different from that of a chihuahua.
The basics are the same no matter what age and breed of dog you have though. You’ll need to consider what type of exercise will benefit your dog, how much playtime they need, and what you’re looking to accomplish with your dog’s routine. Are you looking to tire out your puppy or are you trying to help your elderly dog lose weight? Those are two very different regimens.
Fortunately we’ve provided you with a time table to help you keep on track. You’ll be able to mark off things as needed.
Exercise for Puppies
Good habits start early, so you want to start as soon as possible with your dog. When they’re a puppy, it is a great time to start getting them used to a routine and getting them used to the outside world. It’s a wonderful time to get them used to a leash and to get them used to running around outside with you.
So, how often should you walk your puppy? A good rule of thumb is that they shouldn’t be walked for more than 5 minutes for every month of age, and you can do this twice a day. So, if your puppy is six months old; two 30 minute walks should be a good amount for them. This should be cut back for large breeds that grow more slowly. Too much exercise can cause joint damage.
A puppy that is only two months old will tire quickly from play. They’ll tire even more quickly from all of the mental stimulation of a walk. There are all sorts of new sights, sounds, and smells to take in. Walking your puppy is about exploration more than it is the actual exercise aspect. These outings should be relaxed and leisurely.
Playtime also counts as exercise. You can let them play at home with their favourite toys or let them out supervised into an enclosed space. It’s important to let them run around and explore. It’s also helpful that puppies tire quickly and will just lay down and nap when they get too tired. There isn’t too much risk of them overdoing it. It might feel like they tire too quickly and aren’t getting the work out they need, but don’t worry.
It’s better they nap when they get tired. We know most people have dreams of long hikes and country walks with their canine companions, but while they’re a puppy isn’t the time. Growth rate and the age of sexual maturity vary from breed to breed, but your puppy is still growing until adulthood. Too much exercise can lead to joint damage and no one wants their puppy to be unwell. So, enjoy the leisure of those puppy walks and play days while it’s there. There’s no need to rush ahead to adulthood.
Exercise for Adult Dogs
Exercise for your dog is going to heavily depend on their breed, personality, and energy level. There is no one size fits all answer to exercising an adult dog. In general, a dog in good condition will be happy with two 20-30 minute walks per day. This will give them almost a full hour of exercise a day. It will help keep them mentally stimulated as well as they explore the outside world.
If you have a small breed such as a chihuahua or a pomeranian, they may only need 30 minutes of walking a day that can be broken down into two 15 minute sessions. If you have a working breed that is high energy and high drive, you may be looking at a total of 2 hours or more of walking every day. It can be a very big commitment.
Thankfully walks aren’t the only form of exercise. Play still counts even for mature dogs! You can play tug-o-war with them. Do they really like fetch? That works too. Even letting them into your yard to run around counts as exercise. There’s agility trials, scenting, swimming, running, hiking.. The possibilities are endless. If you’re an outdoors sort of person, take your dog with you and let them enjoy nature too.
Exercise for Senior Dogs
Your dog will start to slow down as they age, but you should still aim for at least thirty minutes of exercise a day. You can do two fifteen minute walks or play with some of their favourite toys. The key for senior dogs is going to be finding low impact exercises that are easy on the joints. This is especially important for larger breeds that can suffer from hip dysplasia and slip kneecaps.
If your dog was once your running buddy, you may have to switch to walking instead of running. It will be much easier on their hips and knees. Hiking may no longer be a good choice, but you can still go for walks at the park. It will all depend on your dog’s health at this age.
Swimming is another great low impact exercise. It will tire them out and the water resistance will give them a workout, but the water will relieve pressure on their joints. As always, if you’re not sure, talk to your vet. They’ll be able to help you come up with an exercise plan for your dog so that you can help them live a long and healthy life.
Benefits of Exercise
Exercise will help your dog live a long, healthy life. It will keep them fit and help fight off things like obesity and heart disease. This is great and will keep them around for as long as possible, but it’s good for you as well.
It can be hard to find motivation to hit the gym after a long day at work, but it can definitely be easier with a buddy. Your dog may not be able to go to the gym with you, but they’re there to go on walks. It will get you out of the house and help you stay active. You will see many of the same benefits as they will. You’ll be at lower risk for certain diseases and sometimes getting out to see the sunshine is the little pick me up needed after being stuck in the office all day.
Not only that, but going for a walk or playing is a great chance to bond with your dog. You two will be able to play and get to know one another better.
Joint Health and Exercise
Just like us, dogs’ joints wear with time. It can cause pain and injury can lead to early arthritis. Large breeds are more susceptible to these problems, even as puppies. Their joints and bones take longer to grow and come to full strength. It can also cause issues with small breeds, because they are so small. Image hopping off of the sofa being a jump that’s three times your height! So, while jumping seems harmless, it can lead to long term problems.
Senior dogs are also at risk of injuries from jumping. It’s a very common cause of hip, elbow, and ankle problems. So, regardless of your dog- unless they’re in very good physical condition- it’s best to avoid and limit jumping. There are stairs made specifically for your dog to get up and down off the couch and sofa. It may be more difficult to teach an elderly dog to use the stairs or an excited puppy, so it’s important to start as early as possible with training.
Forms of exercise with jumping such as agility courses and frisbee should also be reserved for adult dogs that are in good condition. The running and jumping is going to be very difficult on puppies or senior dogs. This is often overlooked, but it is an important part of your dog’s health. So, next time they think about jumping down off the bed, stop them and help them down.
Conclusion
We hope this week has answered some of your burning exercise questions. There isn’t a one size fits all solution, but with a little planning you can find a routine that benefits both you and your dog. Maybe you’ll even find a new game you both enjoy during your fitness journey.
We’d love to see some photos of your dog enjoying playtime. What are your favourite games to play? What makes playtime special and enjoyable to you? Make sure you share with us on social media!