How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Really Need

How Much Exercise Does A Dog Really Need?

All Dogs Need Exercise

I am sure you are all aware dogs need exercise. In this topic I am going to try to help you understand the elements to look for and the effects you might experience if your dog is not getting the required exercise they need. The bare minimum exercise time could range from 30 minutes to 2 hours per day.

There is a to

o wide variety of requirements to cover to be specific to every ones needs. I am going to try to generalize in each element and you will need to follow up on a little specific research specific to your pet.

What Breed Dog Do You Have

The first

thing you need to consider is the breed of dog you have. This is why it is so hard to be specific to everyone. What you will need to think about is from the instinctive requirements for your dog, what where they bred to do. I will give a few examples.

If you have a Terrier for dogs breed, they will have an instinct to perform a certain duty. Most terriers were bred to hunt vermin. Over centuries, they have picked up and developed natural features and instinctive habits from this. Most of them are small in stature, very high-strung, fast, and like to borrow.

If you have a Spaniel for dogs breed, they will have a bit different features and habits. Spaniels are typically a more medium-sized dog with flowing hair, wide feet, and a love for the water. This is because they were bred to flush out birds and retrieve water foul.

If you have St. Bernard for dogs breed, you know these are very large dogs. This breed was used for working in the Italian alpine. They are large, strong, and require a lot of exercise. These dogs were often used to keep track of livestock that free ranged in the mountains. When able to run loose on their own they can have a personal space that ranges up to 5 miles in radius.

So, you can see where the wide range of requirements just between these three examples. This is the genetic foundation of what your dog is bred to require for exercise.

Here’s Your Sign

Once you look into what your dogs breed was used to do. Now you might be able to recognize the reason behind your dogs behaviors. Does your little dog borrow under the blankets when you take them to bed? Do you have one of those dogs that brings everything to you and lays it at your feet? Does that dog that seems to be half horse try to corral your kids when they are small and try to wander off?

Who ever said dogs can’t talk? If you pay close attention to the things they do, you will begin to recognize their natural, instinctive talents. This can tell you if they are getting the required exercise they need.

If that little dog is running in circles and borrowing under the cushions of the couch before bed. He may not have had enough exercise that day.

If that medium-sized dog is dragging every toy in the house out and putting it at your feet before bed. He may not have gotten enough exercise for the day.

If that pony you call a dog will not let the kids sleep at bed time. He may not have had enough exercise that day.

You can see where I am going with this. These are instinctive behaviors that come out when a dog is restless. That is what they think they are supposed to do. Keeping that in mind, their are other things that dogs will do if they are not getting the exercise they need. Just to name a few, chew on furniture, get in the trash, and run off when you are trying to let them out before bed.

Who’s Fault Is It Anyway

Destructive behavior is typically a result of a dog who is not getting their needs fulfilled. These domesticated animals are brought in to a house and love you for it but still have that desire to chase vermin, swim for a bird, or run the mountains for hours on end. Their mind and body need some form of activity to replace the absence of that ability that is bred in to them.

Do you have a job you go to every day? What do you do with your dog when you are gone? Mine are crated. They have been trained to do this. It is their safe place. The crate is open when I am home and they still go in their to relax on their own at times. It is OK for some dogs. My point behind that is they are crated. They pretty much have no other option but to lie around all day and do nothing. We try to make it a habit, whoever gets home first gets to take them out and throw a ball for a while. They are really upset if we can’t. Believe me they let you know for the rest of the evening.

Go Out And Play

Dogs love to play! This is the easiest form of exercise you can help your dog get. It is good for you too! I know it is hard to do through the week. Most folks doing the daily grind and trying to bring home the bacon treats! I know our dogs get more exercise on the weekends.

Try to plan for them to be involved in your weekend activities. They really do need the exercise. It is up to you to help them get it.

I will leave you with this, all dogs need exercise. The amount will differ from breed to breed. I can assure you if they are not getting what they require they are telling you in some way, shape, or form. Look into what breed you have and the instinctive behaviors they should be showing. When they are doing things that can be destructive it could be a natural behavior to them. They may only be doing it because they need more exercise. If you take the time to play, go for a long walk, or some kind of activity on a regular basis I will almost guarantee you once they are getting the exercise they need the unwanted behavior will stop.

This is my opinion, it is based on experience from years of living with dogs. No one is perfect, not even dogs but keep in mind they will always be cool!

As always, feel free to comment. Share your experiences. If you have a question, I will do my best to answer. And please email a picture if you have one of the coolest dogs on the planet too.

Chad@groomydude.com

24 thoughts on “How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Really Need”

  1. It’s very good to take some time off to cater for you let, make sure they are in good shape, care for them and know what’s going on with them. Exercise is good for your dog, it makes it more active and engaged, though not anything tough or really serious, it is necessary to help them be in good shape too.

    Reply
  2. Some people do not know how important it is to help your dog exercise and it has to be very careful not to do it too much and wear them out in the process of doing it. I have always gone out with my dog in the morning to go for some little run around the areas where I live and she really likes it 

    Reply
    • Justin,
      I am glad to hear you take the time to do this with your dog! It is good for him. I think one of the things people might miss that is brought to light in your comment is, it is good for you too!
      Keep that dog healthy and happy!

      Reply
  3. Knowing how and what is required to actually give the right energy to encourage exercise of our dog is good. The thing is, knowing how to actually blend then to focus on exercise is really good to see. I value the information you have provided here. Thank you so much for sharing

    Reply
    • Thanks for the comment! I hope this reaches people who might be looking for a dog so they can better chose a breed that fits their lifestyle. They are all cute!

      Reply
  4. Thank you so much for sharing us an interesting and informative article. The main theme of this article is How Much Exercise Does A Dog Really Need? It is really laudable that you have illustrated this topic so well in your article. I have learned a lot by reading your article and gained a lot of cognition about it. Of the points mentioned in your article, I like to Go Out And Play. I have a pet dog with whom I go for walks every afternoon and through which he exercises. And this exercise keeps me healthy for my pet dog.

    Reply
  5. Hello there, thanks for getting this out to the public. Some people do not know how important it is to help your dog exercise and it has to be very careful not to do it too much and wear them out in the process of doing it. Getting a good routine for your Buddy and making sure you find a balance is really nice 

    Reply
    • Thanks for the comment! They really do tell you what they need if one takes the time to listen. Each one requires something a little different. 

      Stay well!

      Reply
  6. Ah, I see that this is a good one as like you have said here, many people do not know that there is a limit to how much you can make your dog exercise. I saw a video of a dog that was going through some heavy duty  exercise but the dog was probably a military trained one. I think the type of dog also greatly determines

    Reply
    • Yes Jay, exercise can be over done! I think most people judge this simply by the size of the dog. It really is much deeper than that. Most breeds have genetic and instinctive needs that should be met. This could mean less time exercising but a specific exercise to meet those needs.

      Thanks 

      Reply
  7. Hello there! This is an amazing review you have got here. I am sure this information here will be of great help to any one who come across it as it is to me. According what I do, the recommended amount of daily exercise for most dogs  is 30 minutes to 2 hours, although certain dogs need more. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Hi there! 

      That is a wide range for exercise, I am trying to help people understand they all need it. The focus is to help them identify how much and why for the breed they have. 

      Thanks, and keep that dog healthy and happy!

      Reply
  8. It is completely true that dogs require regular training on a daily basis. I have beautiful husky and I know exactly how hard it can be to deal with so much energy in one dog. I do not recommend anyone who does not have time to dedicate to a dog to think about having a dog. Keeping a dog requires time, energy, investment, and dedication. 

    Reply
    • That is true! I have acquired a few pets form folks that jumped in without considering the responsibility of having one. They are all so different and have specific needs. One should research before choosing a pet. I do understand though, sometimes a pet chooses you!

      Reply
  9. An interesting take on the overall need for a dog to really stay healthy and the kind of exercises that can get them there. Well, I actually fancy all you have shared here and to be very honest, this can make a whole lot of difference in helping them stay healthy. Valuable post you have shared here. Thanks

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  10. It is very interesting to see your dogs in good shape, it makes them active. It is very important to know of how to cater for you dog in a religious manner, it helps you give them good livelihood. It’s good to exercise your dog as to enable them being strong and they get sickfree. Thanks for the post.

    Reply
    • Just like people, if you take care of yourself you tend to live longer! It is good for their behavior, well being, and longevity.

      Keeping all the cool dogs on the planet longer! 

      Thanks for the comment! 

      Reply
  11. I did not the important of exercise for dogs until I have my Siberian Husky, Shiro. Boy, did I learn. My husky is in the working class so he needs a lot of exercise and I as a first time husky owner back then did not know that. He was so un happy and would destroy the place and I thought that he was just being naughty but I was wrong, now I know. I am now playing catch with my dog 2 times a day early in the morning and late in the evening and give him plenty of water, he loves to run to the point that he can’t breath (sign, a husky for you) I also take him out to the lake right by me as he loves to swim. To be honest I did not really have to do much he would do all the running himself lol He is now a happy dog and has stopped destroying the furniture and also stopped spraying as well. 

    I had to learn the hard way but I think that all of us need to understand the behavior of the breed that you are planning on getting and you have to take a look at your lifestyle as well. Do your research and that way everyone can be happy. Happy dog, happy life. 

    Reply
    • Hi, 

      Huskys are some of the most beautiful dogs in my opinion. I love the name Shiro! Thank you for the comment on this breed. They do require a lot of exercise. Your comment reinforces the point I am trying to help people with in realizing the instinctive needs for different breeds. 

      I hope this reaches people before they get a dog so they can see the importance of understanding what you could be getting into. Not that it is completely necessary. just reduces the learning curve.

      If you return, please visit the gallery page. I would love to have a pic of Shiro!

      Thanks, Chad 

      Reply

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