With the arrival of a new dog in your life, you’ll be faced with some big decisions. One of the most important? How to keep that puppy healthy and happy.
If you’ve ever owned a dog before, you know what an important role exercise plays in the health of your pup. After all, they’re animals! They need to run around, jump over things and bite things from time to time—all things that might not be possible inside your house (or even on your property).
So how do you ensure that your new pup gets enough exercise, what are the benefits of regular exercise, and what options do you have for exercise?
Why Exercise is Important for Your Pup’s Health
Exercise is a very important part of raising a happy and healthy dog. It can help with the following:
- Keeping your pup fit can lead to increased energy levels and overall happiness
- Preventing obesity
- Strengthening muscles, bones, and joints
Exercise also increases blood flow to the heart and brain, helping with your dog’s mental health. Additionally, regular exercise can help with joint health by keeping dogs fit enough to avoid common problems like arthritis later in life.
The Best Ways to Exercise Your New Puppy and What You Can Avoid
Here are some of our favorite ideas to get your puppy outside and have fun:
- Going for a swim
- Take a walk or run around your neighborhood
- Going on a hike
- Playing fetch or another age-appropriate game
While it may seem like all puppies love playing outside and running around with their furry friends (and sometimes even with their owners), there are some guidelines that should be followed when taking a pup out for some fresh air and exercise. Here’s what you need to know:
- Avoid exercising during hot weather since it could cause heat stroke.
- Avoid playing in crowded areas or off-leash until your puppy has good recall skills.
- Avoid overdoing it. It’s tempting to want your puppy to run and play as much as possible, but this can lead to overexertion and injury.
Different Styles of Exercise for Your Puppy – Agility Training
Agility courses use jumps, tunnels, and other obstacles designed specifically for well-focused dogs–and there are lots of competitions available across the nation where you can compete against other people who share your love for agility with their own pets!
The only downside here is that these courses aren’t always free–some charge usage fees. If you think your pup might be a good candidate for agility training, check out this YouTube video that dives into what you need to know.
Exercise is an important part of raising a happy and healthy dog. It helps keep your puppy healthy by strengthening the muscles and bones and helps them maintain a healthy weight, but it’s also important not to overdo it and have fun while doing it.
For more information about adjusting to life with your new pup and how you can make sure you are a well-prepared pawrent, check out our blog.
