With the current lockdown situation we all find ourselves in, it can be difficult to make sure our dogs are getting the required exercise they need. The right amount of exercise will depend on the breed, age and capability of your dog, which will vary as every dog’s needs is individual but it’s worth bearing in mind the recommended length of time.
It’s important for your dog to still get their daily walk, not only for their physical health but their mental wellbeing too. If you’re unsure how long of a walk your pooch needs, check out this dog walking calculator. Until lockdown restrictions are lifted by the government, you are only allowed to take your dog out once a day and as part of your own daily exercise, unless you live in a household with others, who can take it in turns to walk the dog.
So while these government guidelines are still in place, you may be left wondering how you can maintain your dog’s fitness levels. In this post, we look at ways you can make sure your dog is getting enough exercise.
Change your dog walking route
A good way to keep your dog entertained in this situation is to change up your usual dog walking route every few days. By doing this, your dog gets to explore new paths, sights and scents. You can also take a different direction than you usually would and walk a little further to discover new walking routes, which will help to keep things interesting for your furry friend, as well as keeping them from feeling bored or frustrated.
Encourage playtime and learn new tricks
With the majority of people being at home more than usual, now is a great time to make the most of playtime with your pooch! Chances are your dog is going to love having more time to play and bond with you, so get those dog toys out for a game of catch or fetch which will be fun for the both of you. If you’ve been wanting to teach your dog some new tricks, now is the time to do it. There are plenty of tutorials online to help you and don’t forget to give them a treat when they do a good job.
Set up your own agility course
If you manage to master some cool new tricks with your dog, then consider setting up a mini agility training course in the space you have, whether that’s a garden, backyard or even in your living room (provided there’s enough space!). Agility is a great form of exercise for clever dogs with lots of energy. You can set up various obstacles such as tunnels, hurdles or weaving. You can easily do this with household items that you have laying around already, such as cushions, football cones, laundry baskets and PVC pipes.
These are just some ways that you can make sure your dog is getting plenty of exercise. If you have any tips or advice to maintain dog’s exercise, we’d love to hear them in the comments below.
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