subject: The Importance Of Exercise For Your Dog [print this page] Providing exercise for your dog can bring many benefits. A well-exercised dog is not only physically fit, but mentally active as well. Exercise routines have mental health, training and physical health advantages for your dog. It can help solve your dogs behavior problems and boost his or her lifespan.
One of the primary keys to healthy dogs is regular exercise. When they are active, they can be much more alert, attentive and content. Fit dogs also get better sleep which results to more energy and better socialization skills. Lack of exercise in dogs can lead to many serious illnesses like obesity and heart problems. Regular exercise will give your dog a toned heart that can cope very well with the ideal body weight.
Dog exercise also promotes metal stimulation. Outdoor training or just a simple walk in the park will make your dogs mind stimulated due to a change in environment, sounds, smells and other things in the surroundings. Your dog can acquire so many experiences if he or she exercises outside on a regular basis, such as getting acquainted with the scents, appearances, colors, etc. of other dogs and pets. Such experiences are very essential to help your dog develop socialization skills. If your dog lacks exercise, it can lead to boredom, anxiety and other behavioral problems such as fear or aggression. Moreover, lack of exercise in dogs can result to hyperactivity, excess barking, and even biting.
Dogs are naturally active beings, so they absolutely love running and playing around in wide open spaces. Ideally, you should give your dog at least three short walks a day, one of which must be dedicated for several minutes of dynamic physical activity. Dogs are not meant to remain inactive and grow fat. A fit dog will live much longer than an overweight one.
Exercise can also have a big impact on your dogs trainability. In fact, getting enough exercise makes dog training easier. Why is that so? During exercise, your dogs ability to focus can be increased. Exercise can act as an outlet for your dog to release his energy. Dogs that get enough exercise cant be easily distracted and they dont get bored during training.
Exercising with your dog is more importantly a good bonding activity. It is one way to show that you love and care about your dog. The best way to connect with your dog is through exercise. To a dog, exercise means happiness. Simply put, if you provide exercise, your dog can actually pay attention to you.
