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Not everybody has the luxury of a dog friendly park nearby, or a safe neighbourhood where they can walk their dog. However, dogs still need exercise. Because they are totally reliant on us to meet their needs, we have to somehow find a way to provide them with that exercise.
Here are my top 8 ideas for exercising your dog indoors.
1. Piggy in the middle. You’ve probably played this game yourself, where one person stands between two others, and the two outside people toss a ball to each other. The idea of the game is for the person in the middle to grab the ball and then the thrower becomes the one who has to try and grab the ball. You can play this with your dog – but you do need a friend to help. Roll or toss a ball to each other, and let your dog try and catch it. He’ll be running from you to your friend and back again. Every now and again, let him catch it so he stays interested in the game and keen to play.
2. Play fetch. It’s not hard to roll a ball for your dog, and have him retrieve it. This is particularly fun if you have a long hallway. Your dog could play this game for hours.
3. Buy or make a hurdle, and train your dog to jump over it. You can have a lot of fun with this. You can leave him in a sit-stay, and then call him over the hurdle towards you. You can have him by your side and send him onwards over the hurdle. If you have the space for two hurdles, you can create a bigger variety of exercises for him. Similarly, you can construct a set of weave poles, and train him to weave.
4. If your budget allows, buy a dog treadmill. These aren’t unlike a human treadmill, but have sides on them to stop your dog falling off. They’re not cheap, but if your dog is a working breed and has lots of energy to burn off, they may be worth the investment.
5. Don’t forget to exercise your dog’s mind. If he isn’t able to enjoy the sights and smells of the world around him, then he may become bored, and a bored dog is often a destructive dog. You can keep him mentally active by running through your obedience exercises in your home. Heelwork, sit, drop and stays can all be taught without the need for lots of space. Again, if you have a long hallway, it’s a great opportunity to train a reliable recall.
6. Trick training – this is another facet of dog obedience, but it’s a lot of fun. You can teach your dog to beg, roll over, play dead and even shut a cupboard door, and you’ll both have great fun doing it.
7. Hide and seek. If your dog is very reliable when he’s told to stay, you can go and hide somewhere in your home. Call him, and let him try and find you. A variation on this game is if you hide a treat, such as a cookie or a hot dog, and ask him to find it. With this game, just make sure if he doesn’t happen to locate it, that you go and get it yourself. Otherwise it won’t be long before you notice a bad smell coming from your hiding spot!
8. Arrange a play date with another dog. This is often easier if your dog is a small breed, but a play date with a friendly dog will not only give him physical exercise, but will meet his social needs too.
Exercise is important for your dog’s physical and mental well being. Playing and exercising together is great for your relationship. Even if you don’t have access to the great outdoors, make the effort to burn up your dog’s excess physical and mental energy and you’ll both be much happier.
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6 comments:
"Find it" is such an awesome game for dogs who love toys. We play this with Fred and it's so cute to see him figure it all out. For food-motivated dogs, those food puzzles are good. Or, I just stick food inside used plastic containers, like for ice cream, or butter, and see who can get the lid off first...
These tips are so helpful. So, so helpful!! Thank you!
#3: If you don't have a hurdle, use your boyfriend/fiance/significant other!
I make my fiance stand on all fours in the middle of the hallway - his head touches one side of the hall, butt on the other.
I throw the toy down the hall, and Merlot runs and JUMPS over him. Moses just waddles under the bridge!
; - D
great post! don't forget Giant Shirtball. Wrap up a treat or fave toy in tons and tons of old tees or towels and let your doxie goto town digging at it.
http://kalyxcornucopia.blogspot.com/2009/07/confessions-of-rawhide-junkie.html
With winter setting in here in Canada, these tips are what keep me sane when going for walks becomes less and less appealing!
I don't think dogs need exercise. If you let your dog to move freely for a fixed time a day then a dedicated time for exercise isn't needed.
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