Whether you walk your dog yourself or you hire dog walkers in Glebe or locally to you to help out, it can be confusing to know just how much exercise your pet needs.
- Is one walk per day enough?
- How far should we go?
- Do small dogs require less walking than big dogs?
- Does backyard play take the place of walking?
- Does my elderly dog still need walks?
- Does breed play a part in how much exercise my dog needs?
Is My Dog Getting Enough Exercise?
Dogs are notorious for being energetic! For many dogs, if they are not
exercised adequately and according to their individual needs, negative
behaviours can be the result. These include barking, digging, and overall misbehaviour and destruction. An inactive dog will also become bored,
potentially overweight, and age more quickly.
Dog Walking -Requirements
Many people believe that dogs need room to run around and a big back yard. This isn’t true! While it’s natural that a dog will love plenty of room, even the biggest, most energetic dog can live happily in a smaller yard. He just needs his walks!
On the flip side, even the dog with the biggest yard still needs to be taken out for regular walks. – but he does need to be taken for walks.
Your own dog’s exercise needs are dependent upon a variety of factors,
including his age, overall health, and breed.
For example:
Puppies generally need more exercise than an elderly dog. Even the oldest dogs need regular exercise, but more slowly over shorter distances and for shorter times. Sporting and Herding dogs need at least an hour of high-intensity exercise every day – twice daily if possible.
Greyhounds, Whippets, and other sighthounds need a little exercise, sprinting in short bursts.
Scent hounds and sporting dog breeds (e.g. Beagle, Labrador Retriever,
Pointer) like to hunt and will happily be out all day, needing plenty of exercise.
Terriers are high energy dogs but have short legs, so they will get plenty of exercise as long as they walk for an hour a day.
Toy breeds are inclined to obesity. They can get plenty of exercise over a
smaller area so require only shorter walks.
Great Danes, despite their size, require much less exercise than most other breeds.
Brachycephalic breeds (e.g. Pug, Bulldog, Chow Chow, and other dogs with “squashed” faces) can overheat and have breathing issues, so exercise them very carefully.
Guarding dogs (e.g. Alsatian, Doberman, Rottweiler) don’t need as much exercise as many other breeds.
Individuals within a breed will differ too; an excitable older dog requires much more exercise than a placid, younger dog.
General Dog Walking Guide
Most dogs, regardless of their breed, will require about half an hour to an hour of exercise every day. This can mean different things for different dogs…
- Active breeds need hard aerobic exercise – running, chasing, jumping, swimming.
- Less active breeds can go for a simple walk – or even a stroll.
- Small dogs usually need a lot more exercise than they get, which is why so many small dogs are prone to obesity.
- Some large breeds should not be taken for very long or arduous walks regularly.
Tips!
DON’T: Take your dog out for his walk in extremely hot or cold weather, or during a storm. Dogs can be very susceptible to heatstroke and frostbite and are usually terrified of thunder and lightning.
DO: During summer, walk your dog early in the morning or at dusk when the sun is not high in the sky and the weather is cooler. Always carry drinking water for him.
DO: In cold weather, put a doggie jacket on a short-coated dog.
DO: Vary your route and your routine; exercising a dog is also for mental
stimulation – go to the dog park, along a new trail, or try a new area.
DO: always leash your dog for his walks.
Why not hire Hot Dog Walking professional dog walkers in Rozelle or locally for help exercising your dog? We provide a friendly dog walking service from Rozelle to Glebe so you know that your beloved pet is being exercised and stimulated in our care. Check out our website for a full list of the services we offer.