Why All Dogs Need Daily Exercise
May 30th, 2009 | 
Author: You might say, “My dog has a huge, fenced-in backyard to run around in all day, he gets plenty of exercise!” Did you know that dogs have a deeply ingrained, instinctual need to migrate with a pack and that there are breed specific activities that you can play to give your dog the balance she needs?
A well-balanced dog has all of her instinctual needs fulfilled, such as walking with their pack, and also exercises that fulfill the type of breed your dog is.
For instance, if you have a high energy dog, you may take him on two or three 30 minute to an hour brisk walks or jogs per day, in addition to some agility course training to satisfy their energetic nature.
If you have a medium energy dog, one or two 15-30 minute walks, plus some fetch in the backyard may suffice.
You might have a couch potato dog. Even if they appear disinterested in walking, you will find that they truly enjoy walking with you, their pack leader, and you might even see a new, more energetic side of your low energy dog.
Confining your dog to the backyard without a walk is comparable to confining a fish to a fish bowl. The world is you and your dog’s ocean. Explore it!
Well exercised dogs are balanced, less destructive and less rambunctious. Walking with your dog also creates a close bond between the two (or more) of you and can reinforce or establish your role as the dog’s pack leader.
If you are having issues with your dog, start simple. Take them for a few short walks a day to start out and see if that helps. They may need to be more challenged, and if that’s the case, you can find all kinds of games and puzzle-type toys for your dog. These can be homemade games and toys; no need to spend a ton of cash. It could be hiding a favorite toy in a sandbox, placing treats throughout the yard or house for your dog to find, or just a Kong toy filled with hard to reach treats.
I suggest checking out Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer and his books and website. He truly understands the nature of dogs and is easy to read and understand. Here is a link: www.cesarmillaninc.com
Dogs are great companions, especially well balanced and happy dogs. Make sure you do your homework on breeds before you go and get your new dog. Remember, your dog is not “human” and is quite happy being “just a dog.” Once you accept that, you are on your way to a strong and healthy relationship with your dog.
“In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn’t merely try to train him to be semi human. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog.” –Edward Hoagland
Posted in Dog Toys, Dog Training, Dogs | 
Tags: Dog Health, dog training, dog walking, Dogs, Pet Health
6 Responses to “Why All Dogs Need Daily Exercise”
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Val, sometimes I think we are guilty of this. Oscar has a great big back yard to play soccer in and run around. However, I think he seems restless until he has gone for a walk with one of us. We live near a house that has two boxers, they have had them since they were puppies. Sadly, I don’t think they have ever left their own back yard.
Keep the posts coming! Can’t wait to learn more, and I love the quote!
Oscar seems like a pretty well-balanced dog to me! He certainly couldn’t get any cuter. I remember the boxers you’re talking about, Oscar and I walked past them and they were very upset by our presence. Poor guys just need a nice long walk and probably even more than that, considering the breed.
We never take ours for walks. Angel would probably freak out and her head would explode or something but I know the other 2 would like it. I don’t think our dogs have even had a collar on in years. We should try to walk them a few times a week at least (since the 2 sane dogs are both seniors we wouldn’t have to go far). Very nice article
Thanks for the information! I didn’t realize how important it is to still walk our puppies! We have plans to start walking them everyday now! As you know we have a fenced in backyard that our beagle, Daisy, absolutely loves. She would stay out all day if we let her. After reading your newsletter about heatstroke, I started to wonder how long is too long to let her roam and play outside in this heat. She always has water available but I notice she won’t drink it outside…just when she is inside. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Jen, that’s awesome! You’ll see a new, more relaxed side of your dogs if you stick with fulfilling their instinctual need to “migrate with their pack.” Daisy being a scent hound will be in heaven thinking she’s tracking rabbits!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beagle_(dog)
Don’t forget to look into Cesar Milan’s dog walking tips and advice. He’s fantastic and makes learning about dog behavior very simple.
http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/tips/basics_masteringwalk.php
His books are well written and fun to read, as well. I’m reading Be The Pack Leader right now and have read Cesar’s Way. He has a new one out that I haven’t read yet, A Member of the Family. I strongly suggest any dog owner or future dog owner to read his books.
As far as Daisy not drinking water while outside, I don’t think that I’ve met a dog that does that before. The only suggestion that I have is that when it’s hot, let her outside in short intervals and make sure she comes in for a water break! Does she ever get in your pool?
Thanks for the info and encouragement! Daisy is definitely a creature of habit, so it doesn’t surprise me that she won’t eat or drink outside. She doesn’t have any interest in going in the pool…well not voluntarily! lol Kaitlin took her in once, but she didn’t seem to care for it. I will do the short intervals although I’m sure if she could speak she would say NO! But it sounds like a good idea! Thank for the advice! I absolutely love this new blog you have! It’s great to have you just a keystroke away!