By: Kathleen Beatriz Lapig
Exercise is key to having a healthy lifestyle. From our Physical Education days in school, up to now that we are basically adults, we often hear the benefits and advantages of having exercises every day.
Not just it helps us physically improve ourselves, but being physically active can also improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities. Adults who sit less and do any amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity gain some health benefits.
Exercise, as much as it is important to us human beings, is the same for our canine best friends.
Different exercise for dogs have been proven beneficial to them! Implementing different exercise for dogs keeps your dog healthy and limber while reducing behavioral problems such as excessive licking, barking, chewing, digging, and other anxiety-related behaviors. It also helps your dog build trust and confidence in you and in their environment.
Exercises for dogs are also a fun way to bond with humans, also! It’s like hitting two birds with one stone once we commit to exercise for dogs. Not only do they enjoy it, but we also, and it keeps us healthy too!
Whether you are a stay-at-home owner or a busy one, you can still give an hour or so to perform exercises for your dogs. It does not matter whether it is inside the comfort of your home, in the park, or in a big courtyard. What matters is that they get the best time of their lives, and enjoy exercise for dogs that you prepare yourself!
So, here are some guides and tips to know what exercise for dogs are great for your canine best friend!
In general, most dogs should get one to two hours of exercise daily to help keep them healthy. Your dog may need more or less depending on age, breed, and tolerance. If you are starting new exercise for dogs, make sure to start slowly and let your dog build up endurance and tolerance to the exercise.
1. Walking
Walking is the classic form of exercise we tend to give our dogs. But that’s okay, most dogs love to walk! It is also a great start to practice sensing the world through their noses! A walk outside is a great thing to do to help your dog adapt to their environment. Don’t rush it, let them sniff their way through the world we are living in.
2. Hiking
If you love nature and you love dogs, then hiking with your dog might be perfect for you. Hiking gives your dog a chance to explore the world on a deeper level than a simple walk. It is also important to give them a new view to enjoy. Dogs are free spirits! They are born to explore, so give them the chance to do so!
3. Swimming
Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs know how to swim. Other dogs simply don’t like to swim. But if you have a water dog, you know it. Let that dog swim! You can incorporate the game of fetch with swimming to make it even more fun. Just remember these water safety tips.
This is a great exercise for dogs as they learn new skills they may share with you, as the owner! A lot of places around the globe offer swimming lessons for dogs, and not just on a one-on-one basis, but as a group. Which is great to also help your dog socialize with other dog breeds.
4. Games
Contrary to what we think, exercise for dogs do not just simply mean the same exercises over and over again. And contrary to what we believe, giving our dog a fun game to do so may be considered a form of exercise!
There are many fun games you can play with your dog, some of which will provide some exercise too. Fetch, hide-and-seek, and tug of war provides moderate exercise for your dog and light exercise for you.
So what are you waiting for? Grab the opportunity to let a fun day between you and your beloved pup with these 4 exercise for dogs!
