Exercise

[Tarky]

Hi everybody

Can somebody tell me how they exercise their dog in a very restricted space?

Right my puppy is only 5 weeks old (his adult weight will be about 5 kg – 11 lbs) but we spend about 2 weeks a month on our sailboat. This summer we’ll be sailing to Italy and Greece so I would like to have some ideas on how to exercise him when we cannot go on ground.

I was thinking of swimming and walking him around the deck (it gives us about 72 feet) not much of a walk but if we go around a few times.

[jude09]

Hello Tarky! Wow you have a very lucky dog there just sailing around on a boat.

But don't you think 5 weeks old is a bit too early to be separated from the litter? Also,
might I suggest that you get the necessary shots for your puppy first before you
let him travel if you haven't done so yet Tarky.

Yes, walking your dog is very important Tarky and it should be in your daily activities
at least twice a day. A game of fetch or hide and seek is also a great idea Tarky but
for the hide and seek game you hide from your dog and you call him instead this also
to help him learn to come to you when he's called.

[Sarah]

Hi Jude nice to see you. Tarky wrote in another post that her baby is an orphan because the mom died. All the pups died except this one. She has managed to keep this one thriving very well, by the time they go sailing the pup will be older.

Tarky, for a small dog like that, playing with them often is good enough until you get on solid ground. Walking around the deck would be excellent. playing ball in the cabin would be great as well, as swimming.

But I have one question, don't you think that larger fish would think he would be "food" if you swim him in the ocean?

I don't know much about sailing, so you would be the best person to know this.

[Tarky]

Don't worry Sarah, I'll be by his side all the time and by this summer he'll be somewhat bigger.
He has not received any shots yet, today he is going for deworming and next week we will start with the shots, so for the time bieng when he goes out he is travels in my arms.

[Sarah]

Tarky you sound like an awesome pet owner. I know your baby will be fine, and I promise I will try and not worry, about him swimming in the ocean.

[jude09]

Oh my! I see, I'm very sorry for your loss Tarky.

Hahaha..I got a bit scared when Sarah mentioned that bigger fish might
think of your puppy as food but I'm glad that you will be swimming with him.

But I also fear that you puppy might love swimming all too much and just
dive in the ocean when he feels like it. I'm sorry I just get too paranoid
with the ocean and boats.

[MaryAnn]

It sounds like you will have plenty of space. There are a lot of things you can do to stimulate both your puppy's physical and mental well-being. For example.....Hide his treats and make him find it around deck. Also, you can teach him Tricks. You can do Freestyle Dance with your puppy. Teach him to jump through Hoops, Weave through your legs, etc.....Play Fetch, Hide-and-Seek (finding you as well as, finding objects with a scent on them, such as those used in Tracking). There are endless things you can do.... you just have to get creative. Have Fun!!!!!!