Anyone who’s been around puppies knows that they’re little furballs of energy. Between work, family time, and rest, it might be difficult for you to set aside time to not only train and housebreak your puppy, but make sure he gets the exercise he needs. Remember: an active puppy is a healthy puppy. Keeping yours active is an important building block to his overall health and relationship with you.
Why Exercise is Important
Exercise is not just essential to your dog’s mental and physical well-being, it also helps you form a strong bond that continues throughout his life. Just as regular exercise is important for your health and happiness, the same is true for your puppy.
- Prevents obesity and associated health risks
- Strengthens cardiovascular health and muscles
- Frequent, scheduled walks promote housetraining
- Increased ability for your puppy cope with your absences
- Reduced behavioral problems through physical, intellectual, and social stimulation
- Reduced digestive problems and constipation
- Increased agility
- Builds confidence and trust, especially in timid puppies
- Controls weight
- Increased socialization with people and other dogs
Smakrika tips
Destructive Behaviors
A healthy amount of activity can steer your puppy away from problematic behaviors. Dogs are typically bred for specific tasks like herding, hunting, and protection. As a result, your puppy will also crave a great deal of activity. Without providing an outlet for his desire to be active, it may manifest in destructive behaviors.
- Hyperactivity and restlessness at night
- Chewing, digging, or scratching
- Raiding the garbage
- Knocking over furniture or jumping on people
- Predatory behavior
- Rough play and biting
- Excessive barking and whining
How much exercise does a puppy need?
Although they are often far more energetic, puppies require much less exercise than adult dogs. Too much puppy exercise can result in exhaustion and joint damage, especially in larger breeds. Exercise needs vary among breeds, but all dogs should have at least one to two walks per day. Puppies should increase exercise by 5 minutes per month of age up to twice a day. For example, 3-month-old puppies should have 15 minutes of exercise each day, 20 minutes at 4 months, etc).
How to exercise a puppy
Even if you have a big yard for your puppy to run around in, he needs more than that to burn excess energy. Short walks and jogs are healthy activities for both you and your puppy. Structured games like fetch and tug-of-war can also help strengthen the bond between you and your puppy, as well as teach him self-control. When your puppy is home alone, keep him occupied with chew toys and food-stuffed puzzle toys.
Avoid forced exercise, which can lead to injury and a lifetime of health problems for your puppy. Forced exercise can include excessive running, bicycling or skating with a leashed dog, excessive fetching, and fast-paced, long walks.
For more advice on exercising your dog, read these helpful articles.
Relaterade produkter
Healthy Mobility Large Breed Adult Hundfoder
Hill's Science Plan Healthy Mobility Large Breed Adult Hundfoder med Kyckling erbjuder en avancerad nutrition för att stödja ledhälsan och förbättra rörligheten.
Hypoallergeniskt hundfoder för vuxna hundar med lax
HILL'S SCIENCE PLAN Hypoallergenic Large Breed Adult hundfoder med lax är ett komplett foder för vuxna hundar av stora raser i åldern 1–5 år. Det är särskilt framtaget för hundar med känslig hud och mage, med begränsade mängder högkvalitativa och nya proteinkällor samt utan spannmål.
Hypoallergenic Adult Hundfoder
HILL'S SCIENCE PLAN Hypoallergenic Adult hundfoder med lax är ett helfoder för vuxna hundar 1–6 år gamla. Det är framtaget för hundar med känslig hud och mage, med ett begränsat antal högkvalitativa, nya proteinkällor & utan spannmål.
Healthy Mobility Medium Adult Hundfoder
Hill's Science Plan Healthy Mobility Medium Breed Adult Hundfoder med kyckling erbjuder en avancerad nutrition för att stödja ledhälsa och förbättra rörligheten. provides advanced nutrition to support joint health and improve mobility.
Relaterade artiklar
Vet's Advice About A Dog Diet
Just like every other pet owner, vets are responsible for giving their pets the best possible nutrition, exercise and care needed to keep them healthy and happy.
Hur du avgör om din hund har en orolig mage och hur du behandlar den
Hundar kan lida av känslig mage och är då benägna att utveckla problem med matsmältningen. Vissa raser kan dessutom vara mer känsliga än andra.
Grooming Suggestions for Keeping Your Dog's Coat Healthy
Signs of a healthy dog include healthy skin and a healthy coat. This article provides information on the appearance of a healthy coat, the importance of grooming, brushing, bathing and nutrition in the care of maintaining a healthy dog.
Helpful Tips for Exercising with Your Dog
Though it may seem like your four-legged friend loves nothing more than to nap on the couch, dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy just like people do.
Sätt din hund på diet utan att den märker det
Vår kalorifattiga sammansättning hjälper dig att kontrollera din hunds vikt. Den innehåller högkvalitativt protein för att bygga slanka muskler och är tillverkad med noggrant utvalda ingredienser för en smakrik och näringsrik måltid. Kliniskt bevisade antioxidanter, vitamin C+E, bidrar till ett friskt immunsystem.
Sätt din hund på diet utan att den märker det
Vår kalorifattiga sammansättning hjälper dig att kontrollera din hunds vikt. Den innehåller högkvalitativt protein för att bygga slanka muskler och är tillverkad med noggrant utvalda ingredienser för en smakrik och näringsrik måltid. Kliniskt bevisade antioxidanter, vitamin C+E, bidrar till ett friskt immunsystem.