Exercise My Dog

No Time to Exercise Your Dog

Sometimes, with the hectic nature of our schedules (work, business, kids, partners, school, friends, parents, hobbies-ha! who has time?…) we find it hard some days to work in time for our canine companions. This should not be the case, but I live in reality. I know we don’t always have time for a walk or game of catch. However, with some creativity, we can often find ways to give the pooch a little exercise time. Remember, a dog who is not sufficiently engaged in physical activity is far more likely to present behavioral challenges. Here are five ideas for getting your dog out.

Use a Doggie Day Dare - This has become a popular solution for making sure your dog has social and exercise time. These are getting more and more popular and can be found in many cities now. Doggie day cares are not cheap solutions, but these can be a good solution. Make sure you research the place to know that they give quality care.

Consider a dog walker - This is not as expensive as a day care solution, but like the day care, a dog walker is not just exercising your dog, but giving him or her some face time, with other people and/or dogs. If you are not at home, you may have to give your dog walker access to your house so they can get your dog, so again, you have to check out the service before signing up.

Have a neighbor spend time with your dog - If you have a neighbor that is a dog lover (or better yet, has a dog of their own), ask if he or she might occasionally play with your dog in the yard or take yours on a walk when they walk their own. You may have to reciprocate with checking their mail when they’re gone or maybe mowing their lawn one week, but your dog is worth it.

Have a friend or family member spend time with your dog - Ask–you might be surprised. We asked our brother-in-law–a social recluse if there ever was one–to keep our dog for a couple of weeks and he positively enjoyed the company and now comes over from time to time to play with Bronx. Who knew? Here’s another tact to try: I got my brother to walk our dog many days one summer so he could walk down this one block where several “honey’s” lived. My dog wasn’t complaining.

Have your kids play with the dog - Younger children don’t always have the wherewithal to walk a dog safely. But one thing kids and dogs know is playtime. Their playtime doesn’t have to be anything special or organized, just time for kids and dog to stretch their legs. Yes, playing Fetch is infinitely easier if the dog is actually trained to drop the ball upon retrieving. But even if he is not trained, kids and dogs will make up their own rules. As long as they get him running around the yard for 20 minutes, everyone is getting some exercise–and will sleep better!

Top Ten Dogs for Lazy Owners

First thing you should know…this title is tongue in cheek. If you don’t want to put the work in, you really shouldn’t get a dog. But too many times, people decide that they wanted a cutesy, wootsie, little dog to love and then spend a ton of time and money picking out a perfect pooch. Then, these people proceed to ignore the dog after a couple of months when the novelty wears off and they realize that a dog is work.

I want to shake those people and scream: “A dog is not a lawn ornament or a household decoration!” In addition to the basics… ( …more)

Make Yourself Get Out And Walk The Dog

You don’t want to go out and walk the dog. It’s too cold, it’s too warm, you had a long day, you are tired, you’d rather relax, and so on and on.

You really do want the dog to get some exercise and work off that energy, but you don’t really want to exercise. You do, but you don’t. At least not right now. Maybe later.

(So you let the dog out in the backyard to get “some exercise”. But unless you have a dog that runs and jumps on his own for 20 minutes—and if you do, please find him a talent agent—she may be getting some sun and fresh air, but she’s not exercise. )

Well, now is the time to get up, get out, and walk that dog. Right now! In fact, if you are feeling it, just turn off your monitor right now and go for a 20 minute walk!

But if you are having a really hard time getting into the habit of exercising your dog regularly, start small. Really, really small.

Just Move
If you set goals that are very easy to reach, you are inclined to reach them. If you read anything about setting goals, you will often find advice for making these goals small and when you hit your mark, build on that success.

So I tried this little experiment with a new dog owner who rescued a dog a local shelter. I outlined this plan for her to follow for one week.

Day 1 . Find a pair of comfortable walking shoes put them by the door.
Day 2. Find the leash and collar and put them by the door.
Day 3. Put on shoes and warm coat. Stand on the porch.
Day 4. Put on shoes and coat, leash dog. Walk to the corner.
Day 5. Walk for 5 minutes. Give yourself 15 to get ready, walk and come back. Keep it short for now. It’s important to just get out.
Day 6. Walk for 5 minutes.
Day 7. Walk for 5 minutes, longer if you’re feeling it.

Didn’t make your goal today? Don’t beat yourself up, try again tomorrow.

It may sound silly, but if you are really having a hard time, small steps can give you the push you need to send you. And it was so simple she completed it Days 1 through 5, and Day 7. Day 6 she said she was just too tired.

This super simple plan accomplished a couple of things. One, you make it easier to go out when you have your stuff in one set place. She now keeps her walking shoes and leash by the door. Two, she got started. That is success in itself. Once you start you see what works and adjust. My walker here would walk after work, a time she was always tired. I told her to keep with it for a while and she would probably find she was working off her after-work stress. Or, since she was an earlier riser (always an amazing personality trait to me), get up 15 minutes earlier and walk the dog.

Now this super simple plan is for those who are not walking the dog at all! The idea is to work up to longer times that are healthy for the dog. But right now we’re keeping it simple.

What about the next week? Not as great. I’ll write about that in new post about Make Your Exercise Plan Hard to Quit.