How much exercise should a dog do per day?

Physical exercise plays a very important role in the daily care of dogs, since it directly influences animal welfare , in addition to helping to prevent certain behavioral problems, such as stress or anxiety, however, it is not always easy to determine what type of exercise is the most appropriate for a dog or how we must adapt it in each of its vital stages.

In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will explain how much exercise a dog should do a day , taking into account It takes into account the specific needs of each individual, likewise, we will also talk about the walk routine, the types of exercises for dogs that we can practice or how to adjust the time and intensity of physical activity.

Benefits of exercise in dogs

Regular practice of moderate physical exercise helps to prevent overweight in dogs, as well as diseases associated with it.It also allows to develop adequate muscle tone, strong bones and thickening of articular cartilage.[1] In addition, performing activities that stimulate our dog's mind using positive reinforcement will allow us to keep his cognitive and social skills active, while improving our bond with him.

Also It is basic to point out that dogs with behavioral problems will benefit greatly from this practice, as it helps to channel the accumulated stress and thus improves the anxiety, depression or destructiveness pictures among others.

How much should a dog walk a day?

Before going deeper into physical exercise, we must learn what the dog's walking needs are, since both activities are closely related.How many times should we walk a dog? Ideally, you should do between 3 and 4 walks a day , about 15 to 30 minutes each.It is important that during the walk the dog can make his needs with peace of mind, sniff and relate if you wish.

How much physical activity does a dog need?

The physical activity needs vary greatly according to the age of the individual.Exercise in puppy dogs should be especially moderate and reduced to the practice of walks and games, since In this stage, an excess of activity can negatively affect their physical development.The same guidelines will be followed by very old dogs and those belonging to the breeds of brachycephalus dogs, since they constitute a risk group as the appearance of health problems due to intense physical exercise.

We can start exercising with a dog after 12 months , when it is considered to be fully developed, always gradually , so as not to negatively impact your bones and joints, especially if we talk about large or giant sized dogs.

While there are some more active dog breeds than others, how can the Belgian shepherd be Malinois or the Border Collie, we should not focus only on this aspect, but on the specific needs of the individual.To better understand the needs of our dog we advise you to follow these five steps:

We will start doing short exercise sessions, so as not to fatigue to the dog, learn to know its limits and its response to exercise.We will practice different activities to discover your preferences.We will combine the exercise with mental stimulation to physically and mentally tired you.We will avoid those games that cause hyperactivity and anxiety.We will leave, at a minimum, one day of the week off.

Once started in a dog sport, we advise owners to visit the veterinarian every 6 months to ensure a good state of health of the dog and avoid some problems of health that may appear, such as wear on the pads or joint problems.

How should it be a exercise session for dogs?

Exercise sessions should always be carried out in a suitable environment that promotes a state of well-being.Therefore, we must avoid practicing sports during the hottest hours of the day or on inappropriate surfaces , as can be the asphalt in the summer months, as it can cause injuries and burns in the pads of the dog.

We will start doing short sessions, about 10 minutes , so that our Dog begins to get used to the practice of regular physical activity.Progressively we can extend the time, always according to the acceptance of the dog and tolerance for exercise.We will make breaks every so often so that the dog can breathe calmly and relax for a few minutes.During these breaks we will provide you with a shady area.If we are on a track or circuit we can go out, go around and go back.

Finally, we must point out that we should never practice exercise If our dog has not done his needs before, in addition, once the session is over, we must allow him a rest time for to relax before returning home .

Types of exercises for dogs

Finally, we will mention some activities that we can practice with a dog:

Jogging : running at a pace Constant is a good way to exercise with our dog.It can be interesting in adult dogs that have high levels of activity.It must be combined later with mental stimulation exercises.
Canicross : It is the professional mode of jogging with dogs and is usually practiced in mountain environments.There are championships at the national, international and international levels.
Bicycle : the benefits are similar to those of jogging , however, it is an activity that requires a previous time of initiation in which the basic orders will be practiced to communicate with the dog and be able to move safely and comfortably to both.Not recommended in dogs with behavioral problems such as fear or aggressiveness.
Bus Carry the ball or fresbee : Before practicing this type of exercise we must teach our dog to look for and bring the ball.It is a complete activity that allows the dog to exercise actively, however it can generate stress and anxiety if there are no breaks during the exercise.
Swim : it is an option that allows us to exercise our dog completely, while providing an enriching environment and full of stimuli to interact with.
Agility : This canine sport combines obedience and physical activity, so in this case we will ensure a good dose of mental stimulation.improve the bond with the owner and is a great way to perform active exercise.
Dog training and skills : teaching our dog various tricks and orders helps us keep your mind active.In addition, it allows us to tire it without exercising it intensely.It is highly recommended that all dogs practice sessions on a weekly basis.
Propiocepcion : It is usually practiced in specialized centers, such as canine training facilities, and work with the help of various elements, such as balls, hoops or other surfaces.Through positive reinforcement the dog learns to get around or interact with the elements, while gaining confidence, learns to practice balance and exercises his senses.It is indicated for dogs with fears, insecurities and other behavioral problems.
Hiking : It is a good option for those dogs that do not feel motivated with the aforementioned sports, being a much more activity free and relaxing.The dog will receive a lot of mental stimulation from the environment

Now you know how to assess your dog's needs, what to consider when starting a training session and some ideas to inspire rte.Do you practice any sport with your dog? Do you want to leave us your ideas, doubts and suggestions? Then do not hesitate, write us a comment!

If you want to read more articles similar to How much exercise should a dog do a day? , we recommend that you enter our Sports section.

References

Kiviranta, Ilkka, et al."Moderate running exercise augments glycosaminoglycans and thickness of articular cartilage in the knee joint of young beagle dogs." Journal of Orthopedic Research 6.2 (1988): 188-195.

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