Dogs give us joyful companionship and, in exchange, they rely on us to keep them happy, healthy, and safe. One essential component of this responsibility is consistent physical activity—but one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to exercise and dogs. Further, inappropriate exercise can lead to serious consequences, including injury, pain, or life-threatening conditions such as heat stroke.

To help you understand your dog’s unique needs, the OC Working Dogs team has compiled a list of factors you should consider before you grab your dog’s leash or throw their ball.

Your dog’s age

Like humans, canine activity requirements evolve with age—including exercise type, intensity level, frequency, and duration. Puppies require short playful bursts and moderate supervised exercise to develop their muscles and coordination and should never be subjected to prolonged or forced exercise, such as long runs or repetitive jumping. Adult dogs benefit from a mix of aerobic exercises and strength training. Senior dogs often need shorter sessions of gentler or low-impact activities to maintain flexibility without straining aging joints or aggravating degenerative conditions such as arthritis or intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).

Your dog’s breed and structure

Different breeds have distinct energy levels and exercise requirements. Herding and sporting breeds generally demand vigorous activity to burn off their excess energy and prevent boredom-based misbehavior, while less active breeds, such as hounds and toy dogs, may be satisfied with shorter, more leisurely activities.

Additionally, dogs who are brachycephalic (i.e., flat-faced, such as pugs) or chondrodystrophic (i.e., those with short legs and a long back, such as Basset hounds) have exercise-related risks associated with their structure that include heat stroke and back injuries, respectively. 

Your dog’s personality

Understanding your dog’s unique personality, energy level, and interests is key to providing the right amount of the right exercise. Hyperactive dogs may need more intense activities throughout the day to keep them out of trouble, while laid-back companions likely prefer a calm morning or evening stroll around the neighborhood. You also can increase your dog’s participation by catering the activity to their interests. For example, some dogs revel in thoroughly sniffing every tree and mailbox, prey driven dogs may prefer to chase a flirt pole, and retrievers may seek out every stick or ball for you to throw.

Your dog’s health 

Before instituting any new exercise routine, consult with your veterinarian, especially if your dog has existing health issues, is growing, or is a senior. Developing dogs need gentle exercises to protect their maturing bones and joints until their growth plates close. Dogs with orthopedic injuries or joint problems (e.g., arthritis) generally benefit from low-impact activities like swimming and should avoid concussive or repetitive actions, while those with respiratory conditions are better suited to short, easy walks. Always follow your veterinarian’s recommendations and prioritize your dog’s health when planning their exercise regimen.

Exercise options for every dog

Your dog’s exercise needs will change throughout their life, but one aspect remains the same —consistency is critical to ensuring your dog benefits both physically and emotionally. Regular physical activity not only gives your dog an outlet for their energy but can also improve their behavior and prevent obesity and its associated health problems.

While we recommend consulting your veterinarian before initiating any new activities, here’s a list of potential exercises to inspire you and help you and your dog get moving at any fitness level: 

  • Low impact exercises 
    • Walking — Leash walks are a classic and gentle exercise suitable for all ages, breeds, and energy levels.
    • Swimming — Swimming is an ideal joint-friendly, full-body workout. Always supervise your dog while swimming and ensure they wear a life jacket. 
    • Underwater treadmill walking — Hydrotherapy is a great veterinary-supervised option for senior dogs and those recovering from orthopedic surgery. 
    • Nosework (i.e., scentwork) — Modeled after professional scent detection training, nosework is a low-impact activity that provides immense mental stimulation.

  • Moderate impact exercises
    • Jogging — On-leash running or free running in a safe area is ideal for high-energy breeds and active adult dogs.
    • Fetch — Fetch hones agility and provides mental stimulation, but ensure sessions are limited to prevent repetitive use injuries.
  • High-impact activities for active dogs and owners
    • Agility training —  Agility engages the dog’s body and mind and is perfect for busy dogs who need a job.
    • Disc dog — This sport is great for agile dogs with a passion for catching and retrieving flying discs. 
    • Canine freestyle (i.e., dog dancing) — This less common but challenging sport combines obedience, tricks, and body awareness and is a physically demanding and mentally stimulating workout.

Understanding your dog’s exercise requirements and tailoring their routine to meet their individual needs fosters a stronger bond, protects and promotes their health, and helps ensure a greater quality of life. Whether your dog prefers light activity or full-throttle thrills, finding the right balance ensures your canine companion is not only physically fit but also mentally and emotionally fulfilled.

Are you interested in expanding your dog’s skills and abilities? So are we! OC Working Dogs provides a variety of training classes and services to help every dog become a well-behaved and multi-talented companion. Contact us to join the fun.