The best overall exercise for your dog is leash walking by your side at a moderate pace. The sidewalk or park path is your dog's version of the treadmill you may exercise on at the gym. If you are just starting on an exercise program with your pet you want to start with short walks and gradually increase the length. The optimal amount of time has not been determined by research, but many owners have reported that two 20-minute walks per day keep their pet in good health and helps achieve weight loss. Some owners have also reported that a long walk of approximately one hour is also beneficial and enjoyable. You need to tailor your walking time to what your veterinarian has recommended, what your pet can comfortably handle, and your schedule. Your walks with your dog should be a pleasant time shared together, not a chore that you rush through. Your dog will benefit not only from the exercise, but from the extra time he or she gets to spend with you each day.
Swimming is another great exercise
for your dog, especially if he or she has an orthopedic problem
that may make
him or her sore if they walked for longer periods of time. Fifteen-45 minutes
of swimming seems to be beneficial for overall health and weight loss. You
can keep your dog swimming by throwing a ball or other favorite toy (that
floats!) for him or her to swim after. Keep a close eye on your pet though
and if he or she seems to be getting tired, stop them from swimming. It is always a good idea to only let your pet swim in water that
is no deeper than your chest just in case you need to assist your
pet.
If you cannot walk or swim your dog for some reason there are many games you can play with your pet. The goal is to keep him or her moving for at least 20 minutes. You can: toss a ball; throw a frisbee; play a game of tag where your pet is "it"; play 'soccer' with your pet — have him or her chase a ball as you kick it around the yard; use your imagination to come up with new games!
Another activity you can do with your pet that is great exercise is Agility training. This type of training teaches your dog to go up, around and through many different kinds of obstacles. It is a growing dog sport all over the world, but many people are training their pet just for fun. Check out the links page to find out more!
References:
Michael S. Hand, Craig D. Thatcher, Rebecca L. Remillard, and Philip Roudebush, editors. WJ Burkholder and PW Toll. Chapter 13 Obesity: Exercise. Small Animal Clinical Nutrition 4th Edition. p417-419, 2000.
