People and pets can boost their physical and emotional health through exercise. But exercise isn’t one-size-fits-all. Dog exercise needs to be tailored to each dog’s needs, health status/life stage, breed tendencies, personality, and preferences. And finding activities to enjoy together is key to strengthening your bodies, minds and bond. If you’ve found yourself googling “how to exercise my dog,” read on for exciting exercise ideas.
Finding the Right Exercise for Your Dog
It doesn’t matter if an activity is the best exercise for dogs if it doesn’t work for your dog. The key to finding the best exercise for your dog is to understand their personality, energy level, limitations, age, body condition, joint health, and any medical conditions. Then, choose exercise activities that are both enjoyable and beneficial for them.
Understanding Your Dog’s Personality: The Key to Effective Exercise
Many factors influence a dog’s personality, and they all play a role in what kind of exercise is the best fit.(1)
Breed
Breed is one of the strongest determinants that can influence personality, behavioral tendencies, activity preference, and exercise needs.(1) When you first start deciding how to exercise your dog, consider what level of mental and physical stimulation is right for their breed. Some dogs do well with several short walks per day, while others need substantially more physical and mental enrichment as they tend to have higher exercise needs:
- Toy breeds have lots of energy but often lack endurance. Short bursts are best for them.
- Herding, hunting and sporting dogs thrive in activities that push their limits and satisfy their working-dog instincts.
- Breeds like Portuguese Water Dogs, Retrievers and Poodles may be especially drawn to water activities.
Some breeds and body types are predisposed to orthopedic, airway, or heat-related challenges that can affect exercise tolerance due to pain or other reasons. Start slowly and carefully supervise your pet for any concerns or challenges.
Individual Factors
Fitness and energy level are important considerations regardless of breed. A dog new to exercise will not have the same stamina and abilities as one who maintains a high activity level. The length and challenge level of exercises should match your dog’s needs.
Temperament can influence dogs’ energy level as well. Some dogs may like to work out at home or venture out one-on-one with their owner. And outgoing pups may prefer dog parks or doggie daycare centers.
Energy levels and temperament may evolve as dogs age, though, so revamp their exercise routine as needed. Your veterinarian can help you decide what is appropriate exercise for your individual dog as they age.
Beyond the Walk: A Variety of Dog Exercise Activities to Explore
When it comes to dog exercise ideas, almost nothing is as classic as walking with your dog. But walks can get repetitive and aren’t always the right fit for every dog, owner and environment. Fortunately, activities like indoor games, mental stimulation and alternative forms of exercise can make a dog workout more fun and engaging.
Indoor Activities
Especially in bad weather, you’ll appreciate options to exercise your dog inside. Some indoor exercises for dogs are:
- Running. In a safe, uncluttered area with good footing, some dogs may enjoy short bursts of movement indoors, such as sprinting down the hallway. You can also consider adding an indoor agility or obstacle course.
- Climbing stairs. Please note that stair exercises are not appropriate for every dog, especially puppies, senior dogs, dogs with joint disease, back problems, or breeds predisposed to orthopedic issues. However, if your dog can safely get up and down a staircase, this can be a terrific physical challenge. Encourage your dog by placing small treats at the top and bottom of the stairs, or have a partner work with you and take turns calling your dog from a few feet away from the top and bottom of the steps. It's also good to keep a close eye on them, so they don’t get overly excited and potentially cause injury to themselves by rushing too quickly up and down the stairs.
- Fetching and chasing. While this is mostly done as an outdoor activity, it can be modified in a dog-friendly space within the home. Throw a soft toy or ball for your dog to retrieve. Consider flirt poles, which are long sticks with an item of interest dangling at the end. Just make sure to avoid repeated sharp turns or high-impact jumping in dogs with joint disease or limited conditioning for their overall safety and health.
- Playing games. Engage your dog’s senses by playing hide and seek as a family member or friend hides in another room from your pup, who is then released to locate the missing person. You can also hide a small treat or favorite toy instead. You can even make a game out of training your dog to return their toys to a bin.
- Feeding and foraging. Offer a food puzzle to make dining more mentally stimulating and physically engaging. Or hide some kibble or treats, then have your dog sniff them out.
- Training. Whether it’s a basic obedience command to sit or stand “up” and go “down” or a trick like “spin,” training will get dogs moving, keep their brains active and reinforce preferred behaviors.
- Exercising together. Do you love yoga or have a favorite aerobic routine? Encourage your dog to do the moves alongside you.
- Walking on a treadmill. Not all dogs are comfortable with treadmill exercise, and sessions should always be closely supervised and introduced gradually. A treadmill is a great alternative to outdoor walks that supports weight management and fitness. Consult a veterinary rehab specialist for advice, and consider investing in a canine treadmill or train your four-legged friend to use yours.(2)
- Swimming. Swimming can be a low-impact option for some dogs when done safely and with close supervision. Controlled settings such as canine rehabilitation pools are often more appropriate than home tubs.
Note: If you use treats for any of these activities, keep in mind that your dog’s daily treat allowance should be no more than 10% of their total daily caloric intake. You don’t want to offset the physical activity your dog is getting by feeding too many treats. Ask your veterinarian for advice on how many treats are appropriate for your dog. You can even try using one of their meals to act as a motivator as well if your pup is responsive to this.
Outdoor Alternatives
For dogs who prefer to be outside, there are plenty of ways to keep it fresh, like:
- Running off leash in your fenced-in yard. Incorporate toys or balls for fetching, add an outdoor agility or obstacle course, or blow some pet-safe bubbles for your dog to chase.
- Visiting dog parks. Dog parks may work well for some social, healthy dogs, but they are not a good fit for every dog, especially those that are fearful, easily overstimulated, or uncomfortable around unfamiliar dogs. If your dog enjoys having canine playmates and is healthy, then it should be OK to take them to an enclosed dog park to race around with other dogs.
- Training. Teach your pet some outdoor-focused tricks or commands, such as returning to or staying by your side.
- Hiking. When you and your dog hike, you’re not only both getting a great workout but also benefiting from time in the great outdoors. Find a beginner trail that welcomes dogs, and start slowly.
- Splashing around. Outdoor swims have an added bonus of helping your dog cool off. Begin in shallower areas where you have more control, and use a canine lifejacket for new swimmers (this applies to pools as well as other bodies of water). Frolicking through sprinklers is another great way for you both to beat the heat while being active.
- Taking a decompression walk. Transform what walking with your dog looks like by letting your dog take the lead, expanding their world and providing mental stimulation as they sniff around, listen to new sounds and take in their surroundings.(3)
For any off-leash activities, make sure your dog has a strong recall and that you are obeying all local leash laws in your area. This is especially important if your dog swims off-leash in an outdoor body of water.
Tailoring Exercise to Specific Needs: A Guide for Different Dogs
The best ways to exercise your dog cater to their unique needs:
- Senior dogs. Senior dogs may have arthritis, reduced stamina, or muscle loss, so exercise plans should be individualized and adjusted gradually. Your veterinarian should assess them, and then they can recommend appropriate activities to start gradually. Some good exercises for dogs who are older include shorter walks, low-intensity hikes and water activities.
- Puppies. Coordination is not their strong suit, and their skeletal system isn’t fully mature, so stick to shorter, more frequent exercise sessions and softer surfaces like grass or dirt. Puppies also need a lot of rest. Avoid forced endurance exercise, repetitive stair work, and high-impact jumping while growth plates are still developing.
- Dogs with anxiety. Dog sporting activities have been shown to improve generalized anxiety.4 Some structured activities and enrichment programs may also help certain anxious dogs build confidence, but exercise plans should be individualized and paired with behavioral support when needed. Follow your furry friend’s lead and make sure to reward them for trying.
- Dogs with limited mobility. Swimming or using an underwater treadmill are low-impact activities that are easy on joints. And mental stimulation like food puzzles exercise the mind.
- Dogs with chronic conditions. Dogs with chronic conditions should have exercise recommendations tailored to their diagnosis, current stability, and veterinary guidance. For example, dogs with heart failure may experience slowed disease progression and better quality of life by taking part in a structured, controlled exercise program.(5)
- Dogs who are picky about exercise. Try out indoor and outdoor alternatives to walks, and use plenty of positive reinforcement when your dog tries one out.
An activity tracker, like the Petivity® Smart GPS + Activity Tracker for Dogs, can help you monitor patterns in your dog’s activity and support conversations with your veterinarian about whether adjustments may be helpful. It provides valuable data for assessing your dog’s energy level and adjusting their exercise routine accordingly by using real-time GPS location tracking and built-in activity monitoring in a waterproof, lightweight, durable design that fits onto their collar or harness. By connecting to the Petivity Dog Tracker app, you’ll see details on your dog’s location and daily activities such as resting, walking, running or playing. You can even set goals and track activity progress as well as weight over time.
Making Exercise Fun: Strengthening Your Bond
Exercise with your dog is an enjoyable and rewarding experience that strengthens your bond and promotes overall well-being. While finding activities is easier if you’re both at similar fitness and activity levels, a mismatch doesn’t mean you and your dog are incompatible exercise buddies. If you feel you can’t keep up with your dog’s energy and can’t imagine how to work out with your dog, consider activities like fetch or dog agility to challenge your dog while you take it easy. Or if your dog has physical limitations but you’re especially athletic, they may still be able to join you in a properly fitted carrier or bike attachment if they are comfortable with it and can do so safely.
Unsurprisingly, exercise helps pets maintain a healthy weight through movement and when you do this alongside your buddy it can strengthen the bond between the two of you(6) And a dog and human workout, in turn, keeps owners more active and accountable in meeting their exercise targets and health goals.(7) In fact, people who exercise with a dog tend to get more physical activity than those who don’t(6) and experience stress relief, reduced loneliness and isolation, and improved quality of life and sleep.(7-10) All of which, in turn, make you more likely to continue exercising.
Monitoring Your Dog’s Exercise: What to Watch For
Dogs may not always show obvious signs of exhaustion, illness, or injury right away. You may have to play detective by looking for signs of(3):
Overexertion
- Heavy panting
- Lagging behind
- Slowed pace
Overheating
- Anxiety
- Bright Red Gums
- Collapse
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Drooling
- Excessive panting
- Reduced responsiveness
- Staggered walking
- Sticky, discolored or dry gums
- Weakness
Reactions to Extreme Cold
- Altered mental state
- Collapse
- Frostbite
- Injuries to paws from ice or slipping
- Muscle stiffness
- Shivering
- Slowed breathing
- Weakness
Injury or Illness
- Altered gait or stance
- Difficulty breathing
- Disorientation
- Gum, tongue or skin discoloration
- Trouble walking
Some of these signs can indicate a medical emergency. Stop exercising immediately and contact a veterinarian right away if your dog is showing concerning symptoms.
Want to be more proactive about your dog's health and well-being? Explore our blog for expert advice and insights that can help you stay one step ahead of potential health concerns.