We all need exercise, even our dogs. Walking is one of the easiest forms of exercise that just about everyone can engage in. And it's great for your dogs as well. But more than just getting exercise, going for a walk is like reading a newspaper for your dog. All the smells, sounds and sights are exciting. So, not only does your dog get the physical stimulation of moving her joints, but also the mental stimulation coming into all those sensory receptacles.

I know it isn't always easy to plan time during your day to take a walk, especially with shorter days and a full time job. But while you're away at work and maybe getting exercise there, your dog is at home either sleeping or possibly engaging in destructive behavior that is her only outlet for the restless energy she needs to get rid of. If you can't always walk your dog, there are still a few possible options for helping her get that exercise she badly needs.

One possible solution is finding a doggy daycare facility near your home where you can drop her off on your way to work, maybe one day a week or even more. These facilities are great for dogs who like to play with other dogs. Most of these day cares also have agility equipment, dog beds for nap time, balls and other toys to play with and of course personnel watching over all the activity.

Another great way to get your dog her needed exercise is by finding someone to take her for a walk for you while you're at work. Of course you would want to check the credentials of anyone coming into your home or taking your dog from your yard for a walk, but it will definitely ease your mind to know that while you were at work, your dog was exercised.

One more option is finding someone in your area who has a dog compatible with your dog and plan a play date where possibly the owner of the other dog will take your dog for a day while you are at work. You can reciprocate by taking that friend's dog at some point for a day as well. The dogs can play, they are both supervised and you will both have happy, relaxed dogs at the end of the day.

On the other hand, you may have a small dog who also needs exercise but can't always keep up with you on your walks or go as far as you might want to go. Or maybe you like to go jogging and would like to take your little dog, but you know she wouldn't be able to keep up. There are pet strollers for just that purpose that sell for under $40, so you wouldn't even have to make a large investment and yet could take your little dog along with you either for a walk or a jog. If your dog is young enough to do some jogging with you, this is a great way to take her along, let her jog for awhile, then place her in the stroller as you continue on your jog. You are both getting the exercise you need and you get to spend quality time together.

So many times I see people out walking by themselves and yet I know they have dogs. This doesn't make much sense to me, since an exercised dog is a happy dog. I suppose it could be due to the possibility that their dog is not very well-behaved on a leash, but that is fixable with time, patience and consistency. Surely there is a dog trainer in town who would be happy to help with that issue.

It's so important to exercise ourselves and our dogs that I can't stress it enough. Lack of physical exercise is one major cause of destructive behavior in some dogs leading to anger, frustration and possibly re-homing or taken to a shelter by the owner. And of course lack of exercise is a contributing factor to health issues in humans as well as pets, such as obesity.

So take a few minutes a day to go for a walk with your dog. You might just find you will be feeling better yourself, both mentally and physically and you'll be wanting to walk for longer and longer periods of time, even if it's just on your days off from work. And trust me - your dog will thank you for it.