22.09.2017

Dog Behaviour and Exercise Requirements of Dogs

How much walking would you recommend for my dog?
Usually a lot more than you think.
For a healthy dog, of every breed, I would be recommending two walks per day. The length of each walk would then vary. As a general rule, a large adult dog, 2 X 1 hr, medium sized adult 2 X 45 minutes and an adult small breed 2 X 20/30 minutes.
*Now, I know a look of shock will be on some of your faces with the above numbers, it’s important to look to those times as times to aim for, but that with pent-up energy behavioural issues will be made worse.
There is more stimulation (meeting new dogs and different sights, smells etc.) when you break up the day with two walks and this approach also burns more energy than a single big, less intense one.
The walk with the leader is primal bonding time where you demonstrate you have what it takes to confidently lead ‘out in the big wide world’. You are going off ‘on the hunt’.
Throwing a ball or Frisbee does not calm the mind of the dog, these activities hype the dog up and we want a calm natural energy. Most certainly you can do these activities but they should not make up the bulk of any exercise regime with your dog.