The problem with man’s best friend lies in the fact that because the dog is such a faithful companion, these animals that are actually meant to and are bred for work have settled into a sedentary lifestyle next to their tired and lazy masters and evolved into couch potatoes like their owners. Because dogs no longer must earn a living and are only pets nowadays, they do not get the proper amounts of exercise for which their bodies were designed. Their food comes free in a bowl and is given to them. In general, they lead sad, lonely, inactive, and even confined lives much, if not most, of the days. So dogs no longer have any purpose or outlet for their naturally high-energy organisms, and most of them do not have the luxury of going somewhere during the days for dog daycare or to a kennel to be properly exercised. Without such physical and mental stimulation, dogs develop behavioral problems from all of this pent-up and unspent nervous energy over time.
Making Certain A Dog Engages In Enough Exercise
It is not enough to simply provide a canine companion with access to an exercise yard. Dogs, like people, are lazy enough to not motivate themselves to run laps around the yard. In fact, they will not do anything more than wait for their owners to take them outside or let them back inside the house. What the animals really want is interactive exercise and play time with their owners as they could get at a dog daycare facility like Pet Peeves.
Not every type, size, and age of dog requires the same amounts and kinds of exercise either. Some examples of these differences are as follows:
- Great Danes, Doberman Pinschers, and German Shepherd dogs do not need to be exercised immediately following their meals. This can cause them to bloat.
- Shorter legged dogs do not need to be walked as much as their larger cousins do.
- Flat nosed or short nosed dog breeds experience difficulties in breathing if owners exercise them overly vigorously.
- Running and jogging activities are as hard on dogs as they are on their masters. Younger dogs have not fully formed their bones yet and should not be run. Larger dogs are also more likely to suffer from arthritis, ligament injuries, and hip dysplasia, which means that prolonged jogging or running is difficult for their bones and joints.
- Greyhounds and Whippets have bodies built for shorter distances, not longer distance runs.
Problems That Result from Lack of Exercise and Play
While there are problems that develop with any dogs if no one provides them with the exercise and play that their bodies require, it is fairly easy to help keep them happy, healthy, and out of trouble by helping them to get the daily exercise they require. This also gives them a great number of health benefits, such as:
- Eliminating, or at least reducing, the most common behavioral issues mentioned here, like excessive barking, digging, hyperactivity, and chewing things.
- Keeping the dogs agile, healthy, and limber longer.
- Reducing constipation issues and digestive problems.
- Building up self-confidence, trust, and calmness with fearful dogs.
- Maintaining a healthy weight for the dogs
- Helping dogs to feel tired and not restless when it is bedtime or the owner is relaxing.
Behavioral Issues Arising When Dog Do Not Get Enough Exercise
The truth is that dogs often act like young children. When they do not have something useful to do with their energy, they will get into something by themselves that owners will likely not enjoy. Among the most typical behavioral issues evident in dogs that lack sufficient playtime and exercise are the following:
- Search and destroy missions, such as raiding the garbage cans of neighbors and houses on the street.
- Destructive digging, chewing, or scratching up of furniture, carpets, and other valuable but perishable items.
- Wild and crazy unruliness, such as jumping on top of or knocking over people, and knocking down furniture.
- Activity at night, excitability and irritability, and especially hyperactivity.
- Excessive social play and predatory behaviors.
- Rough housing, aggressive play, and playful but still painful biting.
- Behaviors intended to get the attention of people, like whining and loud or continuous barking.
What Exercise is Best for the Dog?
Where dogs (and their owners also) are concerned, all exercises are not created equal. Because dogs are naturally more athletic than most of their owners, their human parents struggle to find enough exercise outlets for all of their significant natural energy levels. The good news is that there are a number of good and practical means of properly exercising these faithful and loyal animals so that owners are not exhausted from the physical exertion. A dog’s exercise needs will also vary based on their size, age, particular nature, and breed. Aerobic types of exercise will help most dogs, such as a half hour walk, or any physical exertion which makes them pant including tugging, fetching sticks or balls, swimming, or running around. It is smart to pick out exercise activities which are best suited for the particular dog’s natural interest and specific personality.
In Conclusion
The unfortunate reality is that many pet owners simply lack enough time to properly oversee that their animals’ exercise need are effectively and routinely met. This is why dog daycare and dog boarding services are so practical for many dog owners. A good kennel will also provide the same types of exercise services that dog boarding offers. Facilities like Pet Peeves in Lakewood and Golden take care of every type of dog ranging from Golden Retrievers to Greyhounds.
There is no reason to have a dog suffer from countless ailments that arise from them not receiving enough exercise and play time, such as being overweight or developing diabetes, or heart and circulatory diseases. Our caring specialists at Pet Peeves LLC in Golden will ensure that your dog receives the proper exercise and daily care which he or she needs. Bring your canine campanion to a good doggy daycare facility so that their golden years are not spent in sedentary and boring pursuits lying around the house waiting for the master to come home too tired and exhausted from work to play with them.
