Easy steps to maintain your dog’s physical fitness!

To be healthy, your dog needs to stay active… but physical activity also influences pets mental health. Here are some simple suggestions to stimulate your dog, physically and mentally.

What is « exercise » for your dog?

Exercise is what allows your dog to spend his energy. If a dog lacks physical activity during the day he will then waste energy in unwanted behavior such as digging, barking, jumping, having a destructive behavior, biting, etc.

Have you heard that 80% of behavioral problems are caused by a lack of physical activity? This is not a myth! Dogs need three hours of activity a day on average. Walking and running with your dog is not enough. Eating, chewing, playing, socializing, thinking, etc. are other crucial activities for our companions!

Walking on a leash

A little walk seems to be ideal to spend your dog’s energy. But to make it even more stimulating, here’s what you can do:

• Use the environment to make your dog circumvent obstacles or jump on a bench. Changing the routine of walks brings your dog to focus more on what you say and makes the walk more animated.
• Why not teaching your dog to look at you during the walks? Take a treat and place it before your eyes. Give your dog the treat as soon as he looks at you. Repeat this exercise and add a new word for another demand (“Here!”; “Look!”). Gradually eliminate the treat and there you are!
• If your dog likes to play, tie out a toy like a rope or a plush on his leash so he can have some fun while walking. You can also bring his favorite ball so he can keep it in his mouth during the walk.

Playing at home

If your dog’s only occupation at home is to follow you and chase squirrels in the garden, here’s how to keep him busy with simple but fun activities:

• Playing is a physically and mentally stimulating activity. Playing with your dog helps him stay in good physical condition while creating a unique relationship between you and your pet. All toys are allowed and playing outside is much more pleasant and stimulating for your dog than playing inside your house. Your dog may like to play fetch, run or be chased with his toy, or even play to pull a rope.
• Your dog is generally more obedient at home as the environment is less distracting. Remember that basic orders have to be learned at home and then practiced outside. Obedience is an activity that will keep your dog in good physical condition. Therefore, you give your dog “homework” to do. You may ask your dog to sit before getting out or eating. Say “down” when visitors arrive. Say “stay” when you open the doors and “come here” to bring him back in the house after relieving himself.
• There is an incredible amount of intellectual games for dogs. You might hide food or treats in dispensers toys so your dog has to work before eating.

So… what will your next activity with your best friend be to keep him in good physical condition?