Exercise

[MaryAnn]

I would like to hear what others out there do with their dogs to exercise them. We, as pet parents, know dogs need daily exercise.... I am open to new ideas, so please share what you do with your beloved dog.

[ShardaBaker]

I walk my dogs as well as jog with them.

We also play fetch and a bit of hide and seek sometimes.

[jude09]

hello i'm moving this topic into a more suitable location, i hope you don't mind MaryAnn...


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My dog likes to run so we jog a lot (he really forces me to speed up) and we play fetch as well.

[Tracey Burns]

My dogs love to go across the Chase, we keep on the lead until it is nice and open and then let them off and they just run round and round. Sometimes they chase each other, sometimes they chase the birds or even flies but they absolutely love to just be able to run freely. We also play fetch but find that they get too easily distracted out on the fields and they play this much better in the house.

[MaryAnn]

Jude... No I do not mind at all that you moved this to a more suitable location. Thanks for doing so.

Glad to hear that a lot of folks are walking and jogging, as well as playing fetch with their dogs. Does anyone do Agility or anything else????

[Tracey Burns]

We have just started taking Molly and Izzy to obedience classes and depending on how Molly get on (our border collie with fear aggression), they also do agility classes and we would love to get Molly involved in this.

[MaryAnn]

How are your Agility classes going? Glad to hear someone else out there is involved in Agility. A great way to exercise and bond with your dog. I mention the word Agility and my gal is ready to hit the course.

[LynnDM]

My poodle is not getting any exercise right now because of a knee problem, but I have a swimming pool which I use in the summer months and he gets to swim in it all the time. If you don't have a pool, I know that there are places that cater to dogs and for a reasonable amount your dog can swim and get excellent exercise; especially the older ones who have arthritic problems. I , also, bought a doggie treadmill for rainy days and when I can't get out with him. However, many people forget about the mental exercise. Especially now when he can't go for walks I have worked on mental exercise. Teaching new tricks is an exercise. Lately, I have been giving him his treats in very small pieces which I hide in open areas while he waits in another room. Then call him to me and ask him to "find" or "search'. There are many other ways to stimulate animals besides fetch although labs and beagles, etc seem to thrive on it.

[MaryAnn]

LynnDM.....Sorry to hear about your knee problem. I hope you heal soon. You are so correct in that YES!!!! there are many, many different ways to exercise other than Walking, Running, and Fetch, etc...

Not only do we have to exercise our dogs physically, but mentally as well. My little Schnauzer has to work for each and every treat she receives...either by performing a trick, a command, and activity, or whatever I decide. You are nicer than I am when you hide tiny treats for your dog in open areas....I am a little tougher and hide tiny treats in secluded spots....she has to "Track" for them. She loves it. At Easter... I hid treats in plastic eggs around the house and she not only had to locate it but work her best to open it. She did!

Another thing that keeps their mind sharp is take 3 plastic cups and poke a pin hole in the bottom of each and place a treat under one of them and shuffle them (like the Shell Game)... have the dog Paw the correct one - if their correct they get the treat - if not, no problem - just do it again. Dogs seem to love this game.

Also...I take just an empty box (shoe box works) and place a treat inside, and my dog has to work at it and get it out anyway she can. It's harder on wood floors (like we have), but she perserves.

Thanks for sharing your ideas.

[LynnDM]

Thanks for all your new ideas. I will definitely try them. Someone once told me,"Never give your dog a treat without making him work for it. I usually just make him sit or twirl, roll over, hi five, etc. Now, I have new ideas. Thanks for them. Mine is not much of a tracker, but he is learning.
By the way, the knee problem is Kodi's, not mine. He has a luxating patella. I am told these operations have excellent results. Thanks again for sharing your new ideas.