How to Keep Your Pet Active
Exercise is an essential component of your dog’s health and contributes to their wellbeing. In addition, it regulates their energy levels and reduces the amount of pent-up energy they can channel into disruptive behaviour at home.
Start your dog’s exercise program gently, observe their responses, and gradually increase the duration and number of activities. This is particularly crucial if your companion has underlying health issues.
Walking is a simple form of exercise that can help maintain your dog’s health. It provides both you and your dog with physical activity and helps develop their musculature and olfactory senses. It is also a wonderful opportunity to spend time alone with your best friend, which can strengthen your relationship and discourage attention-seeking behaviour.
If your dog is not accustomed to walking or needs assistance going out the door, increase the duration and distance of your walks gradually. It is advisable to walk for at least 30 minutes per day.
On warmer days, you might want to contemplate walking on a surface other than pavement. Asphalt can attain extremely high temperatures, which can cause your dog’s paws to burn. Before beginning a new exercise regimen, consult your veterinarian about the health of your pet’s paws and its ability to partake in endurance activities.
If you have the necessary space and equipment, a snuffle mat is an excellent way to provide your dog with vigorous exercise. Fill the mat with high-value treats and have your dog dig through them to discover a reward. This exercise is a wonderful combination of physical and mental stimulation for your companion.
Another enjoyable mental activity is hide and seek. Hide a toy or delicious snack such as Bil-Jac. Place Little Jacs Dog Treats in various locations throughout the home and have your dog search for them. This is also an excellent method to exercise your dog’s nose.
You can also construct indoor obstacle courses for your dog using household items such as chairs, tables, old crates, and broomsticks. Ensure that the obstacles are not too difficult for your dog to overcome, and avoid overworking their joints. Keep an eye out for signs of overwork, such as excessive panting, disorientation, or refusal to follow you.
HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts are an excellent method to provide your dog with the necessary exercise without overdoing it. Long sets or entire conditioning sessions can exhaust your dog’s primary movers and joint stabilizers, thereby increasing the risk of injury.
For instance, many canines enjoy chasing toys, but this natural instinct can be turned into a fat-burning workout. Using a flirt pole and moving around while your dog chases his object is an excellent, high-energy indoor or outdoor workout.
Brain activities that appeal to your dog’s natural instincts are another excellent option. Using a snuffle mat filled with high-value morsels that your dog must rummage through is an entertaining and mentally stimulating way to exercise and play with him. Rewarding him with a treat each time he locates the treats is an enjoyable way to make this workout more engaging. This motivates him to continue seeking the reward.
Physical and mental fitness are essential for your dog’s well-being. Exercise aids in the management of surplus energy, which can result in destructive behaviour or a lack of concentration during obedience training sessions. Playing with another dog or a person is an excellent method to exercise your dog while he or she enjoys the company of another.
It is essential to observe that not all dogs and puppies are suitable for playing together. If your puppy displays aggression or extreme submission toward other dogs, it is best to avoid exposing them to other dogs until their trainer and behaviourist have helped them overcome these issues.
Find a secure off-leash play area that is large enough for both canines to frolic together and devoid of any breakable objects. It is also prudent to observe them as they play so that you can intervene if their behaviour becomes aggressive.
