What Kinds of Exercise Should My Dog Get?

Dogs love walks! Walking not only gets their joints moving but it also stimulates their mind. You can work different regions of the body by having them walk uphill, downhill, or even backwards.​

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​What kinds of exercise should my dog get?
Dogs love walks! Walking not only gets their joints moving but it also stimulates their mind. You can work different regions of the body by having them walk uphill, downhill, or even backwards. For moderate activity try things like jogging, hiking on a flat trail and playing fetch. If your dog has more energy and requires more strenuous exercise, things like running swimming, more intense fetch, hiking on an unlevel trail, and agility are great! 

It is important to also provide mental exercise for your dog, just like humans a dog’s cognition can diminish as they age. Teaching your dog new tricks is a fun way to challenge their mind. Another easy way to stimulate your dog’s mind is to hide a few treats around the house for them to find, this is known as nose work. Other ideas include: training exercises, walking on a different path, puzzle games/feeders, scent training, and agility to keep your dog’s brain active.
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If you are looking to be more consistent with your dog's physical and mental training, consider joining a dog training club, they typically offer classes to teach you how to do many of the exercises mentioned. Taking a class with your dog is a great way to strengthen your bond with them, build confidence in your dog, and helps socialize them in a more controlled environment.

Oklahoma K9 PT
Dr. Courtney White, DPT, CCMFT, CCRT