Exercise is a vital component to keeping your dog slim, healthy and happy. Dogs love to walk or run and experience new sights and smells. The challenge is to find ways to make this fun and interesting for you and your dog. Here are a few ways to accomplish that.

1. A daily 30-45 minute walk can do wonders for you and your four-legged friend. Believe it or not, you can walk 2-3 ½ miles in that time. To make it more interesting, change your route up each time you walk. It is easy to create 4-6 different routes around your own neighborhood.


2. Teach your dog to walk on a treadmill. It is easier than you think. Reinforce her good behavior with a treat, and before you know it, she will be happily trotting along on the tread mill. This will require a collar and 4'-6' leash to secure your dog. Preston offers a wide variety of matching collars, leashes and harnesses in every theme imaginable. Never leave your dog unattended while on the treadmill.


3. Arrange a play time with a friend. Canines are very social and enjoy reoccurring visits with compatible canines. Set up a play date for several times a week. Not only is it a great opportunity for your pup to exercise, it will help develop positive social skills.


4. Play fetch with your dog. Not all dogs like to fetch, but some dogs approach "fetch" like an addiction. For those dogs that enjoy fetching a stick or tennis ball, this is a great way to burn off that nervous energy that may build up from sitting around the house all day. Doggles offers a wide selection of durable fetch toys. Please be mindful that a dog will play fetch until they physically cannot participate any further. Don't let it get to that point. Periodically give them time to rest and slow their heart beat down to a resting rate. 15 minutes of "fetch" twice a day is perfect.


5. You can also play "Treat Hunt" for those dogs that are more scent oriented. It's simple. Just hide treats in a confined safe area and let your dog search them out. The larger the geography the more exercise they will get. Be sure to use healthy treats for this exercise. Wagatha's Organic Biscuits are ideal for this exercise. You can also toss the treats and create more of a fetch type exercise.


6. For the more ambitious, dog related individual and team activities might be the ticket. You can involve you and your dog in lure coursing, sheep herding, tracking, fly ball, agility, ratting. Just "Google" these activities for more information for these activities in your area.

Please remember to always have an adequate amount of fresh water for your dog. Water Rover offers a wide selection of travel water bowls that are ideal for canine exercise. Also, be mindful of the temperature. Be cautious when exercising your dog in temperatures below 32° F or over 90° F. Over weight dogs or dogs with health issues should follow an exercise routine designed be a veterinarian.

Obviously, there are many ways to exercise your dog. These are just a few. But, I can't stress enough how important exercise is for your dog's health and wellbeing. If you exercise your dog consistently you will have a better behaved dog that you and your family will be proud of.