How much exercise do dogs actually need?

If you are a dog owner, then you have wondered whether the exercise routine you provide your dog is enough. You might think your dog needs more exercise than you are providing, or you might think that it is just too much sometimes. It can sometimes be challenging to determine how much exercise dogs need, especially if you are a new owner with little experience.

It’s easy to determine how much exercise dogs need with the help of websites like bestdogdads.com designed to help you raise a happy and healthy dog. It’s your responsibility to make sure your pup is taken care of and that its exercise routine is not lacking. That’s why you need to get properly informed about this instead of merely assuming that you know best.

Most dog owners understand the importance of physical exercise for canines. If you have ever had a dog that didn’t get enough exercise, you might have noticed that they developed destructive behavior and are unhappy. Failing to provide adequate exercise also can lead to severe health conditions like obesity and arthritis.

When you start asking yourself whether the exercise routine you established for your dog is adequate or whether you need to take it a step further, that means that you need to get some tips on this topic. The question of how much exercise dogs need depends on several factors  

Age

The first thing that should determine the amount of exercise that your dog needs for his age. As a rule, younger dogs require more exercise than older ones. While that’s true, it’s not the only thing you need to consider.  

Puppies have lots of energy they need to burn. But they also tire quickly. That means they require frequent exercise intervals throughout the day. Observe your puppy’s behavior, and you’ll be able to determine how much and how often they need exercise.

Adult dogs can endure more prolonged periods of exercise, which means they need less frequent activity. Senior dogs tend to get a bit lazy, but that doesn’t mean you should just let an older dog lie around all day and do nothing. Senior pets still need a regular exercise routine, but they require less intense and less frequent activity.

Breed

Your dog’s breed is another factor to consider. Not all breeds require the same amount of exercise. Choose a dog that best matches your lifestyle and personal preferences.

If you are generally not an active person, you shouldn’t get a highly-active breed since your dog won’t be happy with being lazy, and you won’t be satisfied feeling forced to be active. That relationship will ultimately make one of you, or both of you, miserable. Don’t let that happen.

Health

There’s no dispute about the benefits of exercise for dogs and how physical activity can improve your dog’s health. You also, however, need to consider your dog’s general health before establishing an exercise routine. You don’t want to push your dog too hard.

Nobody likes to hear this, but dogs can get sick and develop medical conditions, either severe or mild. You need to keep your pup’s medical conditions in mind when establishing an exercise routine. Some illnesses won’t allow your dog to be as active as you would like, and you need to respect that.

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