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How Much Exercise Should I Give My Dog

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A Tired Dog is a Behaved Dog.....or is he?
Should you Exercise your Young GSD Puppy
Managing a Higher energy Dog

A Tired Dog is a Behaved Dog… or is he?

Karen Peak
West Wind Dog Training

I was always taught and do teach that a tired dog is better behaved. It is true that many undesired behaviors can stem from boredom and a need for more exercise; however, it is what activity and how it is done that makes the real difference. There seems to be a trend among some dog trainers and such to recommend treadmills or loads of fetch to wear out dogs. We may be able to meet the physical needs of a dog through use of a treadmill, but at what cost? How many dogs only get to play fetch or will play it obsessively? What else could we be teaching dogs through only playing fetch? How many dogs are stuck in a rut of only one activity (formal or informal)?

Dogs need a combination of physical and mental activity. They need a balance of different kinds of activity. Treadmills, if used carefully, can be a great asset to a dog owner. However, treadmills are forced exercise. A dog cannot get off until a human takes him off. A dog cannot adjust his speed on a mill that is motorized. There is no ability to socialize a dog on a treadmill: no chance to see, smell or hear different things.

If used as a supplement to other forms of exercise and with caution, treadmills can be a benefit to the dog and owner. If used improperly, you can create a stressed dog that may end up injured. Fetch and other games are good if used carefully and in conjunction with other activities.

Many owners feel a dog who consistently brings a toy back repeatedly must love the game. Some dogs become compulsive fetchers or may develop other stresses and behavioral issues due to the nature of the game: rush, get, and bring back, this ball/stick is mine (possession), etc. Fetch is also not a calm game – it is high energy.

Dogs react to stress both physically and psychologically. Instead of just playing fetch or focusing on one fast-paced activity, mix it up. Allow your dog to use all his senses in games. Hide treats or toys for him to find. Work on lower key activities such as Rally along with fastpaced things like Flyball.

Dogs need a chance to do dog things: dig, swim, chew, play with other dogs, roll in dirt, sniff, run, walk, etc.

 Dogs do need physical and mental exercise and many dogs need a lot of it. The type of activities and how they are done, makes the real difference. Dogs not getting these needs met are more prone to issues; however, we as owner must give a healthy balance of activities. Integrate working with games. Throw a ball a few times,
practice some formal training, and play a bit more. Ask your dog to find a hidden ball as opposed to just chasing it. If you use a treadmill, it should be supplemental to other activities, used carefully and only for a few minutes at a time. Instead, get your dog out for long walks, to play with other dogs, for runs in safely fenced areas, etc.

Create stimulating things in the yard and home your dog can seek out without us forcing him into activity.
A dog that is getting a healthy balance of activities, both mental and physical, will be better off for it.

This is just one step on the path to a long, happy and better relationship.

reprinted with kind permission from Karen Peak http://www.westwinddogtraining.com
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Should You Exercise Your Young German Shepherd Puppy?

 Fran Farley

  A mistaken belief of many owners of our breed is that a young puppy (up to 12 months of age) should have "plenty" of exercise.

As the German Shepherd is such a fast growing breed (compared to some other working breeds) the opposite is actually more correct. The strain of over exercise on the skeletal make up of a youngster is often irreversible. The stretching of ligament at too early an age, the strain on young growing joints, the carrying of too much weight on the overall framework, can and will do harm to the young puppy, and lead to problems in adulthood.

Consider a young Shepherd in comparison to a 3 - 4 year old human child - certainly not ready to run a marathon (even though the spirit may be willing!) but with growth and maturity, that time could come.
As a general rule of thumb and guideline for novice owners, "on lead" exercise should be very limited until final growth and height is achieved at approximately twelve months of age (when both hips and elbows can be x-rayed through the G.S.D.C.A. scheme).

At that time, and hopefully having gained the 'A' & 'Z' the young dog is then ready to commence more prolonged exercise. Should there by any chance that there is already some problem with wear on the joints of the hips and elbows, further advice would be sought as to appropriate exercise. Then, and only then, should you build the dog up to the desired level of fitness you require for whichever field you have chosen - be it show dog, trialing, agility or family companion, with the adult animal - complete in growth.

Until then, it should be "careful and slow". Up to twelve months of age, natural free running is the best form of exercise for a youngster, for a young pup, upon tiring, can easily stop when they wish, and not keep on performing because they wish to please and keep up with you!

Of course you will wish to lead train and socialise your puppy, but exercise on lead should be no more than that. Maximum time walking (the dog at a fast trot) of a puppy up to six months of age should be barely five minutes at one instance (equivalent to a short stroll around your local block or park) and then rest. Puppies need plenty of rest and sleep, just like a young toddler.

Certainly they can play and romp in your back yard or in their kennel run, but they will stop when they feel tired, rest and then play again.

Over six months - training on lead could extend to ten minutes if you wish, but again, moderation is the best guide, and if a puppy shows an inclination to tire, then stop!

Moderation and common sense are the guidelines. Allow your puppy to grow steadily and slowly, and the fun of having a companion with which you can run your kilometres (upon adulthood of the dog) will not be impaired by the damage you way do, by doing too much, too soon.

Enjoy your puppy' s first twelve months as a friend, and savour a lifetime with a fit and healthy adult.

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Managing a Higher Energy Dog

Karen Peak
West Wind Dog Training

When most people think of a high maintenance dog, they often think only of grooming needs. However, dogs with a lot of energy are also high maintenance – they require more time commitments.

What in general does the dog owner need to know regarding energy levels and dogs?
Size, breed classification in a registry and build are not indicative of energy level. Some of the highest energy and hardest to maintain dogs are small. Some of the easier to manage energy level dogs are quite large. A dog grouped as non-sporting or companion does not mean it is low energy. A fast looking dog may not have the energy to run all day and wear out quicker. A dog that is blocky looking may have a lot of stamina to
work all day. Look at breed history. Breeds bred to remain in motion all day or for hours each day are going to require a lot of effort.

Proper exercise is not shoving your dog or dogs in the back yard all day. Chances are your dog will develop a host of undesired behaviors (hyperactivity, digging, excessive barking, escaping, nervousness, destructive behaviors, etc.) in attempts to meet his needs.

Every year humans give up thousands of moderate to high-energy dogs. Dogs of all energy levels need some form of human led exercise every day. Human led exercise means you are the one initiating and leading the program: walking, playing, formal training, sports, etc. An adequate walk or play session is one where the dog comes in and lies down. A dog looking for more needs his exercise levels adjusted. Energy needs will vary throughout the life of a dog: what was good for a younger pup will be different from the same dog at age five and again at age twelve.

Here is a quick guide I have developed over the years of working with higher to highenergy dogs in my own life and with those of clients to help the dog owner gauge what may need to be done daily to keep their dog happy and sane in regards to exercise. Note, each dog is an individual and even within the same breed, needs will vary dog to dog.

Lower Energy Dogs – less than an hour of human led exercise a day

Moderate Energy Dogs – one to two hours of human led exercise a day

Higher Energy Dogs – up to three hours (or more) of human led exercise a day

High Energy Dogs – minimum of three hours of human led exercise a day

Before getting your dog or when looking at undesired behaviors your dog is developing, first look at the energy needs of the dog. Can you meet them every day for up to fifteen or more years? Are you currently meeting the needs? The more exercise a dog requires, the higher maintenance he is!
© 2006 West Wind Dog Training, no part may be used without written permission.
reprinted with kind permission from Karen Peak http://www.westwinddogtraining.com
 
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Are People with Fenced Gardens Less Likely to Exercise Their Dogs?


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