We all benefit from variety in our day to day lives and while dogs do love “routine”, it is also important to mix things up to keep our four-legged friends mentally stimulated too! Below are some ideas on how you can deviate from the daily trip to the local park to offer your dog something a little more exciting! However, it is important to remember that different forms of dog exercise will have different impacts and your dog’s age and breed should be considered before you dive into something new. Here we also look at how you can make walking on-lead fun too!
Lead walking
Dogs (and humans!) of all ages need to practise skills and learn new ones. It’s how we all keep sharp of mind. Get yourself a Recall Line and Multi Clicker and some delicious treats to begin. You can brush up on clicker training here. We recommend you give “Middle” a try. It’s a great way to bond, stay safe and keep your dog’s focus on you. Win-Win!
Generally dogs can have more lead walking as long as it is controlled, and sometimes they need putting on the lead for a number of reasons. Pulling on the lead can be dangerous for all dogs, especially young ones, so if your dog is a strong puller then consider a no pull headcollar or harness. If it’s a change of your dog’s routine to be doing longer walks on streets and pavements, then just be aware and monitor as hard surfaces will have greater impact on your dog’s joints and may also cause sore pads – especially in the heat!
Let your dog sniff
Taking some time to smell things is SUPER important for our canine companions. It’s how they come to learn about the world around them and helps them to socialise and acclimatise to new things. By allowing your dog time to sniff yet another tree or lamppost, you are making sure they are able to fully use their brain. As you can imagine, with so much to learn out there your dog will have plenty to ponder upon having been given the chance to properly process all those fascinating scents!
These walks are the safest for your dog’s health and can provide a lot of mental stimulation. You can further add to their enjoyment by laying trails of small treats or kibble from their daily allowance for them to follow and gobble up.
Running with your dog
Lots of dogs enjoy running but if your dog is new to this form of exercise it should be built up gradually and done in short sessions with younger dogs. For running it is recommended to use a dog harness and bungee style lead to reduce any jolts for you or your dog. This type of exercise is not suitable for puppies.
Play with dogs
Whilst some dogs do enjoy playing with others, they may not always know when to stop and games can quickly get over the top. Interrupt games frequently to calm them down and ensure all participants are having fun! Try to limit free games to 10/15 minutes and ensure your dog has some calmer time out between play sessions.
Interactive play
If you have a safe space to have your dog off lead, then playing some games with your dog, with or without interactive dog toys, can be a great form of exercise. However, for dogs it can also be a common cause of injury, particularly if dogs are repeatedly performing high impact jumps, turns or dead stops. Make sure your dog has ‘warmed up’ by walking for 10/15 minutes before starting any ball games and try to minimise jumps and turns. Puppies should not be exercised in this way, at most pups should have the ball rolled slowly along the ground for them to chase.
Dog games
You can supplement your dog’s daily walk by adding some additional play routines. Activities such as scent games, hide and seek, trick training, a simple agility course or doggie circuit training all make great dog games to play at home! Again, start gently with any more active exercises at home so your dog can build up their fitness and avoid injury. Jumping and climbing should be avoided for puppies under 12 months.
Agility, flyball, hoopers and cannicross are all popular dog sports (to name but a few) that will keep your dog (and you) fit, healthy and mentally stimulated. Contact your local dog trainer for details on which are best for your dog.
Ball games
Whilst chasing dog toys can be a great form of exercise, it can also be a common cause of injury, particularly if dogs are repeatedly performing high impact jumps, turns or dead stops; make sure your dog has ‘warmed up’ by walking for 10/15 minutes before starting any ball games and try to minimise jumps and turns. Puppies should not be exercised in this way. For puppies, the ball should be rolled slowly along the ground for them to chase.
Swimming
Swimming with your dog is a great way of keeping your dog fit and is particularly useful for overweight dogs as it has a low impact on the joints. Whilst free swimming in streams and rivers may be safe for fit and strong swimmers, it is best to start your dog’s swimming in a specialist hydrotherapy pool where your dog can build up confidence and fitness in a safe controlled environment. Our Canvas Training Dummy floats on water and provides a fun challenge for your dog!
Reminder: Dog walking etiquette keeps exercise fun
Whilst out exercising your dog, it’s important to remember that dog walking etiquette is important to keep yourself and others safe. Owners decide to walk their dog on the lead for many different reasons, so it is imperative that we all respect each other’s boundaries. Here is some helpful advice on how to manage on-lead encounters while out exercising your dog:
- When you spot another dog, ask their owner if it’s okay for your dog to say hello. Not all canines like to greet dogs they don’t know.
- Avoid your dog rushing towards another for a head to head greeting. This makes it difficult for both owners to read the encounter and watch for signs of trouble.
- Make space. By standing just out of reach you may be causing a dog to get more and more frustrated, and the risk of a negative encounter is heightened.
- Calm behaviour = new friends. Before introducing yourselves, ask your dog quietly to sit. This will calm them down and ensure that you are still in control of the situation. Once relaxed on a loose lead, you can say hello. Remember, tight leads build tension.
- Allow the dogs to sniff. This natural greeting is good for your dog’s socialisation, and you can ensure you and the other owner don’t get the leashes tangled.
- Keep it short and sweet. After several seconds say in a happy voice ‘Let’s Go!’ and confidently walk away, rewarding your dog with a tasty treat when they come with you and ending the greeting on a positive note.
If you are thinking of changing your exercise routine, we highly recommend you take advice from your vet first. For further dog exercise tips on our blog page.