While it must be noted that each breed, as well as each individual dog because if individual issues like physical health and age, is going to need different amounts of exercise to stay healthy, unfortunately most dogs do not get enough exercise. Veterinarians recommend that most healthy dogs walk several miles with their owners every day, in order to gain socialization and bonding as well as the most basic amounts of exercise. When we say basic, it is because this sow and leisurely walking is only the bare minimum with regards to the exercise most dogs need. The main issue at hand is that owners are completely and totally responsible for their dog’s care, they depend on you for food, exercise, simulation and nearly everything else in their lives. We have taken animals that once were responsible for themselves and their own offspring and turned them into beings that are completely dependent on us. Most of us would argue that they are perfectly happy with this situation, but we are failing to consider that they have the same bodies that they did when they were in the wild. Their bodies are built to run and hunt, covering distances quickly in order to catch and kill food in order to keep them alive. They are built to burn calories in great numbers in order to survive, while also providing them with bursts of energy that can take down slower animals. Dogs can move at a slow pace for many miles without becoming overly tired, reserving energy that can be used in quick bursts to hunt when they find prey. We may have changed the ways that their brains process information so that they do not want to run away, and we also have changed their bodies somewhat through breeding characteristics that made them less able to effectively hunt, but inside every dog is still a wolf that has far more energy than we do. Even though we convince ourselves that they are happy living in our house, they show signs of distress every day (which we fail to recognize.) If your dog whines or barks incessantly, if they destroy toys or furniture, if they act aggressively or are withdrawn and gaining weight, they probably need more exercise than your daily walks are giving them. You took on this responsibility, and while you make excuses about “not having time” or “being too tired to walk” your dog is sitting in your house suffering. In a nutshell, not providing them with enough exercise is abuse.
Daily walks provide the ability for a dog to get out of the confinement of the house and explore the world a little bit. We spend all day at work or going to the grocery store, while our dogs sit in their confined spaces waiting for us to come home. We are the only simulation the dog has, and many people end up ignoring the dog because they feel the need to do other “more important” things than spending time with them. The walk that you provide your dog allows them to be mentally stimulated, but in order for them to use the amounts of energy they were born to use we must do more than walking with them. They need to run fast in short bursts until they are tired. They need to climb hills and move over uneven terrain. They need to jump and swim. Many people do not realize that the majority of mobility, arthritis and spine issues that our dogs have come from a lack of proper exercise over their lifetime. Walking does very little to build up their back leg muscles, and only running targets those muscles effectively. A lifetime of leisurely walks around the block with you does almost nothing for their rear legs. The result is a shorter, more painful life. In order to fully use the muscles they were born to use, we must run with them at faster speeds, allowing them to sprint at a pace much faster than walking. This can be accomplished at dog parks or open fields, but in order flor it to be effective we almost always have to have the dog off the leash. Humans are simply not as fast as dogs, and we are holding them back when they are on a leash. The other alternative is treadmill workouts, where the dog can move at the speed they choose for extended periods of time. Veterinarians suggest 30 minutes of high intensity exercise for dogs every few days. This means raising their heart rate the way that running does, and keeping it elevated for several minutes at a time. This is how they burn calories, build stronger hearts and lungs, and keep in the shape that will help them live longer and happier lives.
You are in charge of every aspect of your dog’s life. The amount of exercise they get is your responsibility. They need exercise as much as they need food in order to stay healthy. Do everything you can to give them what they need.
