Does Your Dog Need More Exercise?

Does Your Dog Need More Exercise?

By: Alex Lieber

In his own doggy way, Jake, a chocolate LabradorLabrador Retrievers Book
The docile, friendly, affectionate lab makes a fine household pet and is very good with children. Barron's Labrador Retrievers Book provides ...
retrieverGolden Retrievers Book
Barron's Golden Retrievers Book instructs owners on general canine care, whether they keep their Retriever as a hunter or as a home companion. Boo...
, tried everything to tell his owner he needed more exerciseLaunch A Ball
Kyjen Launch-A-Ball is the ultimate dog toy for interactive play and exercise. Simply snap the two pieces together and you are ready for a fun and eas...
. When his owner arrived through the door each day, Jake would play bow, bark, jump, bring him a tennis ballTennis Ball with Throw Strap
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and his leashNylon Pattern Lead 6' x 5/8
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.

His owner, tired after a long day at work, just patted Jake on the head and melted into the sofa, holding a beer. Jake resorted to more direct methods to get his methods across. He chewed shoes, dug into the carpet and tore up the backyard so bad it looked as if they were testing missiles there.

Dogs, like people, are made for physical work. Exerting themselves brought not only dinner, but also a feeling of contentment as they rested. This is due in part to a mood-stabilizing chemical in the brain called serotonin, which is released during and after exercise.

Denied exercise, a dog just doesn't gain weight.

He or she can become destructive, noisy or generally antsy in the effort to relieve tension and pent-up energyLaunch A Ball
Kyjen Launch-A-Ball is the ultimate dog toy for interactive play and exercise. Simply snap the two pieces together and you are ready for a fun and eas...
. This is especially true of young dogs, which are often crated while the owners are at work. The morning or evening walks for a mile may not be enough, especially for activeHol-ee Mol-ee Extreme
For the more aggressive chewer and larger dogs, the JW Pet Company Hol-ee Mol-ee Extreme offers the same fun as the famous Hol-ee Roller plus added du...
breeds. Twenty or 30 minutes of running each day – chasing a ball or Frisbee – is considered the minimum for most dogs.

ExerciseLaunch A Ball
Kyjen Launch-A-Ball is the ultimate dog toy for interactive play and exercise. Simply snap the two pieces together and you are ready for a fun and eas...
for Better Behavior, Not Weight


Many people exercise their dogs to maintain or reduce weight. This is only partially true. While exercise does help control weight, it should be done to increase your dog's fitness and for the emotional rewards it brings.

As mentioned before, a lack of exercise and play time brings stress and causes bad behavior. Some of the bad behaviors include:

  • Chewing
  • Digging
  • Excessive barking
  • Pacing and acting "antsy"
  • Improper elimination

    Exercise can help with housetraining. A dog that has just exercised is often stimulated to relieve himself, so you have the opportunity to teach him to go outside. Because exercise has a calming effect, nervous or submission urination is less likely if your dog is the skittish sort.

    Before exercising, however, make sure the conditions are not too hot or dangerous, and that you have plenty of cool, clean waterFresh Flow Pet Fountain
    Pets are naturally attracted to fresh flowing water. This unique silent fountain won’t scare your pet when drinking from bowl or ramp. Ultra Qui...
    on hand. For more information, see the article Exercising Your Dog.

     
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