The quote “Humans don’t deserve dogs” comes from the endless love we get for our pals. Dogs are constantly helping us emotionally, whether they are comforting us on a bad day or helping us cope with something as serious as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A simple way to say “thanks” is to make sure we give them what they need – daily walks outside. Living with a dog has many advantages, but the best perk is the motivation they give us to get off the couch to get some fresh air. Exercise is as essential for your dog as it is for you, so grab your heavy-duty leash from BigDogLeash, and get moving!
BigDogLeash makes running with your pal fun and easy with our 15 different color combinations, three different length options, and ensure next day shipping. Our ropes are custom-made with 100% Polyester braided rope that gives endurance against damage and aging. The polyester used in each braid is non-toxic to not only you, but your dog as well. We understand that every dog has their own personality, why not give them a durable rope dog leash that fits that personality?
Why is Exercise so Important for Dogs?
Exercise isn’t just fun; it’s a necessity for maintaining optimal physical and mental well-being. As with humans, obesity is becoming a significant health problem in our dogs. Obesity prevents dogs from enjoying the physical activities they love and can be associated with some medical issues such as joint, back, and cardiac problems, difficulty breathing, and a possible increase in risk for some cancers.
Exercise tones muscles help the body function properly and engage the mind. Exercise is vital to a dog’s health and well-being. Exposing your dog to daily exercise will:
- Maintain their fitness
- Promote emotional health & aid behavioral training
- Enhance socialization skills
#1 – Maintain Their Fitness
This one’s a “no-brainer.” Just like us, your dog needs physical exercise to stay healthy. Dogs that stay lean and trim are less likely to have joint issues, diabetes, and even some forms of cancers. In addition to keeping them fit, exercise outside provides dogs with fresh air and sunshine. Your dog should get about 40 to 60 minutes of sun each day to retain all the benefits sunshine and fitness offer.
#2 – Promote Emotional Health & Aid Behavioral Training
Sunlight stimulates the production of endorphins that keep us in a good mood and can increase you and your dog’s emotional health overall. For most dogs, exercise helps stave off lousy behavior because it releases all their pent-up energy. If you have trouble training your dog because they are bouncing off the walls and get distracted easily, try exercising. Your daily walks or runs are a great time to incorporate training into something your dog loves to do. Remember, a tired dog is a happy dog!
#3 – Enhance Socialization Skills
Dogs need to be exposed to new situations and environments to improve their socialization skills with humans and other dogs. Your daily exercise regime is more than just “wearing your dog out.” It’s a chance for them to meet other dogs and people and see new things such as bikes, cars, etc. This step is especially crucial for puppies or rescue dogs who may not have been socialized before.
Suggested Activities
Though exercise needs are based on a dog’s age, breed, size, and overall health, your dog should receive some daily activity. Breeds in the hunting, working, or herding groups (Labrador retrievers, hounds, collies, and shepherds) will need the most exercise. If your dog is in one of these categories and is in good health, they should be getting around 1-2 hours of daily activity.
There are a variety of different ways to wear out your over-energized dog.
- Playing Fetch: Fetch is a fabulous way to exhaust your pal with minimal output of your energy. Using a tennis racket instead of your arm results in more significant wear down from your dog.
- Jogging: Jogging is a fantastic way to get both you and your dog into shape. BigDogLeash makes running with your pal even easier with ensuring our leashes to be able to endure against damages and aging. Keep your eager dog close with our rope dog leashes.
Mental exercise is also crucial for your pal. A good brain game can be almost as tiring as a long hike. Some dogs enjoy a food toy. These toys require the dog to knock the toy around to make food fall out. They can be filled with small, low-calorie treats or even pieces of kibble. If your dog is scent driven, they may enjoy searching for bits of food or treats. If you have any concerns about implementing an exercise plan for your dog, ask a veterinarian for an opinion. Start slow if your dog has not been accustomed to being physically active, and observe their response, adding more activities or more mileage as they get stronger.
Exercising with your dog helps control their weight and maintain a healthy body and mind. Remember to tailor your program to your pet, to meet their needs. Keep them engaged, body and spirit, and you will find that you share your home with a fulfilled best friend.