How Much Exercise Does My Dog Need?

Dogs

Exercising with your dog can benefit both of you! Dog trainers and behaviorists tell dog owners all the time that dogs need exercise. A bored dog who doesn't get enough exercise is more apt to get into trouble. With exercise, a dog left alone will be happier taking a good long nap instead of chewing, digging, or barking.

What is Considered "Exercise" for Dogs?

Before talking about how much exercise your dog needs, let's decide what should be considered exercise. A very simple definition is if an activity causes your dog to breathe hard, that can be considered exercise.

So, for example, taking my three 40 to 50 pound dogs for a three mile walk is a good outing but it's not exercise because it doesn't cause them to breathe hard. (If the weather is hot and the dogs pant because of the temperature, that's a totally different thing.)

However, if my friend takes her two Papillons for that same walk - same distance and walking speed - it would be considered exercise. Her dogs have much shorter legs and the dogs have to work harder to maintain the speed and cover the distance.

With my dogs, however, retrieving a ball or toy, out in the yard where they can run hard, is good exercise. Dashing back and forth, jumping to catch the toy, and playing with each other will get them breathing hard.

To determine what is exercise for your dog, you'll have to watch him. Does a walk in the morning and evening when it's cool get him breathing hard? Or should the two of you go jogging instead? Does your dog like to retrieve toys or would he rather go swimming? Just as exercise for you should be enjoyable, so should his exercise.