Active Dog Month! All About Dog Exercise

It’s Active Dog Month, which means it’s time to celebrate by getting energetic with your pooch! And with good reason – did you know more than 30% of dogs in New Zealand are overweight?

Obesity can cause diabetes in dogs (among other health issues), whereas dogs that are active are less at risk. Is your pup’s fitness regime up to scratch?

Active Dog Month is all about keeping active with our dogs so we help both them and us stay fit and healthy. It’s a win-win situation for pets and people alike.

Not that we don’t have ample space in our hearts for cats too… They just don’t knead 😉 as much attention when it comes to exercise.

Let’s explore what Active Dog Month advocates for.

What is Active Dog Month?

Active Dog Month was started by Natasha Thomson, blogger and creator of Om Shanti Pups.

She and her pooch were having cabin fever after a long Alaskan winter. After being cooped up, they wanted to get out and active. Natasha decided to mark the occasion by naming and celebrating it. And that’s how Active Dog Month came about.

We Kiwis may be celebrating a beautiful autumn rather than spring during this auspicious month, but hey, it’s just as important to keep canine fitness on the go as temperatures start to cool.

How do dogs help us stay active?

Dogs keep us active in more ways than meets the eye. Have you thought about how your dog helps you wake up on time? And how he or she keeps us on our toes as we play throughout the day? Let alone walkies, which most dogs need at least once a day.

And how about the way your dog gets you chatting to other dog parents you’ve never even met. Our dogs keep us fit and social. In fact, many friendships have started over a meeting of dogs. There are even lots of happy couples whose dogs are Cupid.  

Sound good? Turns out owning dogs has loads of other health benefits too. For example, they help keep us stress-free, lower our blood pressure and keep cholesterol down. Read why sleeping with your dog in your bed has health benefits.

Importance of exercise for dogs

We’re all too familiar with the benefits of a great workout as people. So, it’s only natural it’d be good for our pups too. Staying active plays a central role in dog health by providing physical and mental benefits.

Does exercise make dogs happy?

The key to a calm and happy dog is tiring them out through good play and exercise. For instance, a cooped-up pooch is more likely to chew and scratch furniture, shoes etc or jump on you.

Dogs love us unconditionally, but when they eat our stuff and put muddy paws on our work clothes, we see this as bad behaviour. It’s important to keep in mind that undesirable dog behaviour often stems from something we’re doing (or not doing) as pet parents.

Physical activity can alleviate stress, boredom, and aggression in dogs. Read about the best puppy games to play then say goodbye zoomies and hello to cuddly calm puppy.

Plus, dog exercise can be wonderful bonding time for you and your canine buddy – which is good for you too. Pets improve our mental and physical health in many ways, so get close.

An active lifestyle reaps endless rewards for dogs of all ages, both now and into their future.

Physical benefits of exercise for your dogs

Aside from obesity, other weight-related problems in dogs include:

• High blood pressure
• Cancers
• Heart disease
• Damage to ligaments, joints, and bones
• Respiratory complications
• Reduced energy
• Shortened lifespan

As loving pet parents, we can prevent our pooch from suffering any of the above through the right amount of regular activity.

How much exercise does a dog need?

So how much exercise does your dog need exactly? The general rule of thumb is roughly 30 minutes to two hours each day.
Of course, this can be tail-ored to your pup’s size, breed, age and overall health.

Active Dog Month: dogs have individual needs

Dogs essentially all have the same genes. But they’ve been bred to have different temperaments and, with that, different fitness needs. Some need more exercise than others…

Breed	Collies and Retrievers were bred for herding and hunting. This is all about stamina, endurance, and a natural appetite for heaps of exercise. On the flipside, French Bulldogs and Pugs don’t need as much. Where does your dog ‘sit’ with this?
Size	Dog size also affects how much activity your pooch needs. For example, Chihuahuas and Poodles don’t need as much of a workout as Great Danes and Dalmatians.
Personality	Plus, there’s your dog’s individual personality. Just like us, some dogs need and love more exercise than others at the same age.
Age	A dog’s age does play a big role. That’s why puppies don’t need as much exercise as grown-up dogs. When they’re little, too much stress on joints and muscles can be a negative.

As Off The Leash shares, “the old rule with puppy exercise is they should only walk for five minutes for every month of age.” This means a puppy who’s three months old can do a 15-minute walk and at six months of age should be walking 30 minutes. On the other end of the scale, just like people, older dogs don’t need as much exercise (on average).

Having said all this, there’s no hard and fast rule about age. Your eight-year-old Jack Russell could very well need more exercise than your eight-year-old Great Dane.

You know your dog best – take their breed, energy level, health, fitness and preferences all into account. As well as you’re vet’s advice. Here’s a dog exercise calculator to help guide the way.

Want more details on different breeds? Read this article on top dog breeds in New Zealand.

How to keep your dog active  

Daily walks with your dog is the most common way to keep you both active. For many of us, a walk is also the most accessible and convenient outing for our weekly work/leisure routine.

Dog walking is great because it burns up calories, gets the heart pumping and costs you nothing but time. Just remember to bring your DIY dog walking kit along.

Then for those of us who like to build more muscle per minute, running with your dog is a great workout.
Of course, your dog’s physical activity doesn’t need to come from walks and runs alone. It might suit you better to throw a frisbee or kick a ball in your own backyard. Even heading up and down stairs in moderation can be good for a canine. Another great way to shift some kilos around (on them, not you) is having a doggy playdate.

And while your pup is still young, here are some puppy training tips. Because learning basic commands helps puppy burn mental and physical energy.

Dog swimming

If you get your dog used to swimming from when they’re puppies, swimming is a great fitness activity. Not only does it boost circulation and healthy breathing, there’s less stress on bones and more specifically joints thanks to buoyancy.

Is swimming good for dogs with hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is a common health issue that many dogs experience. It’s the result of an abnormal hip socket and ball joint, which makes it hard for a dog to put weight on their hindquarters.

Dogs who have hip dysplasia still need to stay active. Swimming is a good way to cater to their fitness needs without putting stress on their hips.

Of course, the benefits of swimming are not limited to hip dysplasia. Because swimming isn’t weight bearing, it’s also good for dogs with any musculoskeletal issues. And of course, senior dogs too.

Just ensure you keep a watchful eye over your pooch while they’re in the water. And while we’re on safety, read how to keep your dog safe at the beach.

Dog insurance in New Zealand

Regardless of whether your pup climbs mountains or strolls in parks, pet insurance is a must. While humans have two legs, dogs have four, which can mean they’re double as likely to get into trouble at some point. Whether it’s non-routine vet visits or hospitalisation, their important health needs shouldn’t be a financial burden if you have dog insurance.