A varied exercise routine will help your dog stay in shape and save it from boredom. “Being stuck in a yard or crate is an incredibly boring existence for a dog,” said Chicago-based veterinarian Dr. Tony Kremer, citing boredom as one cause of a dog’s incessant barking. According to Kremer, a bored dog can also become destructive, out-of-shape, and rife with behavior problems.
To prevent these problems, he recommends giving dogs what they need to explore and interact with the world and keep their lives exciting. That includes a spiced-up exercise regimen to maintain their weight and stave off monotony. Following are a few suggestions.
Walking
While a walk may not seem like much for people, it can be a stimulating experience for a dog, said Kremer, especially if the dog is not used to getting out.
“The same way we check our e-mail, dogs use a walk and their heightened sense of smell to check their ‘pee-mail,’” he said. “That’s what keeps their lives interesting.”
But is a walk always enough? It depends, he said, on a dog’s breed, age, and energy level. For example, sporting and herding breeds like retrievers and collies may need more exercise than toy breeds, such as pugs and poodles, do.
High-Energy Activities
If you know your dog is high-energy, there’s much you can do to keep them busy. That includes, for example:
- Competitive events like fly ball, a relay for dogs, and agility training, in which dogs navigate an obstacle course.
- Running, or, if your dog has hip and joint issues, the more gentle activity of swimming.
- Bicycling with a dog bike leash that attaches to your bike.
- Fetch with a tennis ball, Frisbee, lure, or Dog Kong.
- A trip to the dog park, where dogs can play and interact with others.
- Lunge-whip, in which you throw a buggy whip (from a farm supply store) with a ball or toy attached, and twirl it in a big circle for the dog to chase.
These activities are not only fun for your dog, but also good for your relationship. “Telling your dog to go to the hoop or A-frame during agility enhances your shared vocabulary and strengthens your overall connection,” Kremer said.
