Covering Just How Important Routine Exercise Is For Dogs And Offering Suggestions On How To Keep Them In Shape
Being a dog owner is one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences you will ever have. That being said, being a dog owner also requires a lot of hard work. More specifically, exercise. Dogs don’t simply want exercise, they need exercise. Our dogs need daily exercise in order to stay happy and healthy. This article will discuss why dogs need so much exercise, how it’s beneficial, and how much they need on average.
Why Dogs Need Exercise
Similar to humans, dogs were made to be active creatures. It’s in their biological and genetic makeup to be active during the day and sleep during the night. The modern day dog can trace its ancestry back to wolves, which are apex predators. Both wolves and dogs possess this instinctual drive to hunt and kill their prey.
Although modern day dogs don’t need to hunt for their food, the drive is still there. An apex predator won’t catch much prey if they are not in peak physical condition. This explains why dogs still feel the need to run, play, and engage in physical activities because they still feel the urge to be physically capable to hunt. Essentially, being active is an instinctual drive that keeps dogs happy and makes them feel accomplished.

Happy dog playing
The Physical Benefits Of Exercise
According to Fitzroy Vet Hospital, routine exercise is essential to a dog’s physical and mental well-being. On a physical level, routine exercise helps keep a dogs’ blood pressure down and build up their muscle. Exercise in dogs has also been shown to promote healthy bones because more muscle mass equals greater bone density. Cardio exercise also helps regulate a dogs’ pee and poop habits, making them less prone to urinary tract infections and constipation.
The Mental Benefits Of Exercise
Exercise obviously helps dogs on a physical level, but it also helps them on a mental level. Just like people, dogs get bored when sitting around the house all day. They need mental stimulation to keep their minds sharp and avoid negative emotions like depression. Engaging in routine exercise will help them feel better and overall happier.
Walking your dog in the backyard everyday isn’t very exciting for them. They want to see new things, smell new smells, and interact with the world around them. These new experiences will enrich their lives and make them significantly happier. You will see a noticeable difference in your dog’s mood and demeanor simply by taking them for a walk in the park every day.

Active dog catching a frisbee
The Benefits Of Keeping A Routine
Exercise is clearly important for dogs, but keeping them on a routine is just as important. According to the dog trainers at Canine Revolution Dog Training, dogs love structure and being on a schedule. Having structure and a routine schedule will help reduce stress and anxiety in most dogs. When dogs know what to expect, it helps them build confidence in both themselves and their owners.
Having a routine schedule also helps deter dogs from engaging in destructive and/or bad behavior such as digging holes, chewing on furniture, or stealing food. Just like people, being on a routine schedule helps keep dogs out of trouble, avoid boredom, and promotes good behavior.
How Much Exercise Do Dogs Need?
The amount of daily exercise a dog needs will vary depending upon their age, breed, and temperament. Every dog is different and will take some trial and error to figure out how much exercise your dog needs and can handle. Generally speaking, puppies have more energy than adult dogs. This means puppies require more exercise, but in short bursts. We recommend multiple short walks and/or play sessions a day.
As for adult dogs, this will heavily depend on the breed. High energy breeds, like Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Siberian Huskies, require more daily exercise. Low energy breeds, such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and Mastiffs, require far less daily exercise. The overall health of your dog will also play a factor into how much exercise they need. In short, take all of these factors into account and really pay attention to your dog’s limits and energy levels when determining how much daily exercise to give them.

Professional dog walker
Hire A Dog Walker To Keep Your Dog Well Exercised
When it comes to keeping your dog well exercised, the best thing you can do is hire a dog walker/pet sitter. But, don’t just hire anybody! Hire a professional! Long Island Pet Services always provides quality service at competitive rates and will treat your pets like family. Click here to become a client today or give us a call at 516-247-6976. We look forward to hearing from you soon!