Do you have a dog? You must understand that your pet needs exercise to support physical and mental health. But how can you, as a dog owner, ensure your dog receives adequate exercise? Look for these signals that suggest your pet needs to move more.
Changing your dog's schedule can improve his health and prevent future problems. This way, you can meet all your dog's needs, improve their quality of life, and keep them around you.
In this blog post, we'll discuss the seven signs suggesting your dog needs to be more active. So keep reading to discover these must-know signs about your dog exercise. So, let's get started!
The Importance of Exercise for Dogs
Your dog must exercise regularly, which is vital for overall health. It assists in maintaining the right weight so your dog does not develop complications such as diabetes and joint illness.
This also helps your dog exercise and shed the energy that might make it stubborn when at home. Spending time with your pet during walks or playtime enhances your interaction with it.
Like any other pet, a dog must be taken for a walk or run in the morning or evening to stay active throughout the day. The amount may differ depending on the pet's age, breed, and state of health.
Meeting your dog's activity requirements will make them happy, healthy companions with whom you can enjoy spending time.
Recognizing When Your Dog Needs More Physical Activity
Let's now discuss seven signs that your dog needs to play more or go for a walk more often and what you can do about it.
1. Weight Gain
A sedentary lifestyle is another cause of obesity in dogs. When your pet is not active enough to burn those calories, the excess is stored as fat, and your pet becomes overweight.
Symptoms:
• Having to carry more body mass and losing mobility
• Fatigue and weakness during the walk
• Accumulation of fat in the external layers of the abdominal and chest walls
Example: If your once very active dog gets out of breath after short walks or has difficulty going up stairs or getting on the couch, this may signal that it needs to exercise more to prevent obesity.
2. Destructive Behavior
Lack of exercise and brain exercise lead dogs to engage in destructive activities to eradicate boredom and build energy.
Symptoms:
• Chewing items such as furniture, shoes, or any other item within the child's reach
• Burrowing in the yard
• Excessive barking/whining
Example: If you return home to find your shoes destroyed or discover that your carefully cultivated garden beds have become your dog's digging ground, you must provide your dog with more exercise and playtime.
3. Hyperactivity and Restlessness
This is evident in a hyperactive dog that cannot just lay down or sit still; it will be very fidgety.
Symptoms:
• It is also a sign that one cannot take a break or be calm. For instance, one cannot sit still
• This is done while pacing back and forth
• Excessive licking of people or furniture
Example: If your dog is always coming to you for attention, running around the house, and having difficulty settling down even after hours, it is most likely that it requires more exercise to help expel that energy.
4. Depression and Anxiety
Sadly, dogs can also suffer from mental disorders just like humans do when they are not well taken with their needs, such as exercise.
Symptoms:
• Fatigue and social apathy
• Over-grooming or over-licking
• Anxiety when left alone
Example: If a dog does not like to play or feels sad when left alone, it must be taken for a walk or mentally challenged to make it happy and reduce stress.
5. Frequent Health Issues
Lack of exercise in dogs can lead to some health complications, thus increasing the frequency of their vet visits.
Symptoms:
• Continuous sicknesses and diseases
• Arthritis
• Gastro problems such as constipation
Example: If your dog has recurrent minor sickness or problems getting up and moving around, it needs more exercise to keep fit and healthy.
6. Pulling on the Leash
If a dog has excess energy while walking, it may pull on the Leash beyond the owner's control.
Symptoms:
• Pulling the Leash all the time
• The problem in managing the dog when on a walk
• This is manifested as overexcitement when seeing other dogs or animals.
Example: If your walks are characterized by constant stopping and starting or your dog pulls you towards everything that catches its attention, your dog may require exercise to understand how to walk on a leash.
7. Increased Aggression
Inactivity also increases aggression in some dogs because they become bored and frustrated and take out that aggression on other animals or people.
Symptoms:
• Barking at other dogs or people or even growling and snapping
• This implies protection over objects such as toys and food
• Increased territorial aggression
Example: If your dog suddenly becomes aggressive to strangers or other animals or starts guarding specific parts of the house even more, it might need more exercise and socialization.
Take Action Now: Give Your Dog the Gift of Exercise!
Understanding the symptoms that your dog requires more exercise and ensuring that it is active again is one way to ensure it has a better life.
Do not wait until you need hospitalization—begin including more playtime and lengthy walks in your schedule now.
It is always essential to ensure that your dog has had their fair share of exercises because a dog that has been exercised is always well-behaved.
Take that Leash, step outside, and give your pet the worthy gift of exercise – they will not regret it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much exercise does my dog need daily?
Ans. The amount of exercise that your dog requires depends on factors such as age, breed, and health. In most cases, a daily recommended amount of exercise ranges from 30 minutes to 2 hours with breaks in between.
Q. What are some excellent exercises for dogs?
Ans. Some fun activities that can be done with the dog include walking, jogging, racing, playing catch, pulling games, and hurdle racing. Select the activities appropriate for the dog's age, breed, and physical and mental exercise interest.
Q. How can I make walks more enjoyable for my dog?
Ans. To make walks more enjoyable, change the direction, go to new places, and include play sessions or sessions where the dog is trained. Reward with treats and praises to ensure that the dog develops good habits during the session and that it is enjoyable.
Q. Can indoor activities help my dog stay fit?
Ans. Yes! A stimulating toy, games such as hide-and-seek, and training sessions, among others, can be done indoors to enhance the pets' mental and physical health. These are especially useful during the rainy season or when one cannot go out to exercise.