There are two realities in a dog owner’s life – our animals need lots of exercise, and yet we are often too busy to give them the time that they need. If you find yourself subject to a hectic schedule but you feel guilty about your pooch’s activity level, you may need to get creative.
Here are some ideas on how to exercise your dog – and keep your sanity.
Start Your Day Together: No matter the discipline which you are trying to incorporate into your day, study after study shows that your success rate will be much higher if you get it done before the craziness hits.
If you set your alarm for 15 minutes earlier and walk with your dog, not only will she get some coveted human time, but you will both start your day with exercise.
Invest in Some New Toys: Find toys which they can chase, such as an off-balance ball with treats inside, or hang a few tennis balls from the ceiling for them to bat around. Get creative, but find a way to inspire movement while you are gone.
Give Them Room to Roam: Fence in the backyard and install a doggy door. The ability to go outside and run around is invaluable to a dog, especially if they are kept in close quarters in the house.
Learn to Multi-Task: Of course you know how to multi-task – now bring your dog along. If you need to walk to the mailbox, take the dog. If you need to talk to your mom, step outside and throw the ball to your dog while talking. Instead of checking email on your desktop, check on your phone while at the dog park. <li>
Exercise Before Settling In: When you get home, make it a plan to walk the dog before doing anything else – before checking the mail, before kicking off your shoes (except to change into sneakers) and before deciding what to cook. Once you are comfortable in the evening, it becomes much more difficult to get up and take your dog for a walk. Or if you choose, just have a tug of war with him, or chase him around the yard.
Bring Your Dog on Weekend Outings: If you are headed to the beach on your day off, consider checking out one of the area’s dog beaches. If you are meeting a friend for lunch, consider walking to one of our area restaurants which allows dogs on their patio. Check out the dog policy at local attractions, and take your dog along for a field trip. Of course, this all assumes that your dog is well-behaved – so be sure they have proper obedience training and skills.
Ask a Friend: If you have a friend who walks every day, ask if they can pick up your dog a few times a week. As long as your pooch is compliant on a leash, your friend may enjoy the company, and both will benefit from the relationship.
Look into Doggy Daycare / Playcare: Doggy daycare may not be a daily occurrence. But having a place to run and play with other dogs on a regular basis might be a fantastic option for both you and your pet. Not only will your dog get the exercise he needs, but he will also learn better socialization skills and, at Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training, will benefit from the loving attention of expert dog trainers.
You may not have a lot of spare time to exercise your dog, but canines are loving companions who are happy to follow you anywhere. So take a few extra minutes, grab the leash, and incorporate your best friend into your life in the small moments.
You’ll both be better for it, both mentally and physically.
