Tips to Add Exercise with Your Dog to a Busy Schedule
Responsible dog ownership includes providing your pet with plenty of exercise. Here, tips for adding exercise with your dog into an already busy schedule is discussed.
After a long day of work, nothing sounds better than cuddling on the couch with your dog. However, making sure your dog receives enough exercise is very important so that you can share many years of cuddling together. How to fit exercise into your busy schedule, including dog training games, dog puzzle toys, and use of an activity tracker, are reviewed.
Plan Your Schedule Ahead of Time
As the adage goes, if you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail. The first step to fitting exercise with your dog into a busy schedule is to create a plan. Identify pockets of your day that can be spent with your pet, and days where exercise is impossible. For your busiest days, consider brain games for your pet, such as a dog puzzle toy.
Know Your Dog’s Exercise Needs
A helpful piece of data when planning your schedule is understanding your dog’s exercise needs. A useful guide can be found here. An activity tracker, such as the Actijoy Health and Activity Tracker, can give you personalized insight into your dog’s habits and behaviors while helping you ensure your pet’s unique exercise needs are met.
Consider Day Care or a Dog Walker
If the dog tracker shows that your pet is not able to receive enough exercise with your busy schedule, consider hiring a dog walker or dropping your pet off at doggy daycare. The monthly cost is well worth the health benefits, such as increased lifespan and decreased risk of chronic illness.
Add Enrichment to Your Dog’s Day
Look for simple ways to add enrichment to your dog’s day. For instance, feed your dog his or her meals with a dog puzzle toy or KONG. If your dog loves to sniff, play “hide and go treat” by hiding treats or kibble around the house and encouraging your dog to sniff out the tasty morsels. You can sneak exercise into your dog’s playtime by throwing a toy downstairs and requiring your pet to go up and down the steps multiple times. Dog training games are also a great way to add exercise to your dog’s day. For instance, train your dog new tricks to provide both mental and physical stimulation.
Exercise is important for your dog, and by following these tips, you can keep your pet both healthy and happy!
Health & Activity Tracker
