Puppy exercise and play

Training Puppy exercise and play

Exercise and play are essential to the growing puppy, to continue his education and socialization, to encourage a healthy heart and circulation, and to develop a robust skeletal structure and muscular health. In fact, all life functions depend on the challenge of beneficial exercise for healthy development and maintenance.

Puppy exercise and play

Play is important for the puppy so that he can learn about action and reaction, bond with the human family, and maintain a healthy outlook on life. However, some dogs will be willing to play until they drop, which brings potentially serious health implications to the musculoskeletal system and the heart. Too much boisterous play in hot weather is especially dangerous. Ball play can also be fast and "extreme," with a serious risk of injury and exhaustion. Even an adult dog, if ball-obsessed, will not learn the limits. Terriers, Collies, German Shepherds, and Labradors are especially known for this.

 It is important to teach children to know the limits, too. Playing with an energetic and fun-loving pup can be so absorbing that the danger signs are not heeded. Supervision is essential until a safe routine has been established.

Some sound guidelines:

Never allow a dog to play "fetch" with a stick. This is a common cause of severe injury or death from impalement, as the timing and landing of a stick can never be fully controlled. A dog can rush onto the end of a stick, with gaping mouth, just as the stick strikes the ground. The momentum of the dog can cause a deep penetration injury into the throat, neck, or chest.
 Apart from periods of play, regular exercise two or three times a day is fundamental to a dog's well-being.

Depending on the breed, the individual dog, and the mobility and circumstances of the owner, the distance and time can vary. For the sake of others, you should keep your dog on a leash in specified areas, pick up excrement, and not allow your dog to be a nuisance to other people or other dogs.
 In the countryside, it is worth being wary of livestock. Dogs, particularly if they are with a canine companion, are very attracted to running sheep. This can lead to sheep- mauling or killing, even in an otherwise well-behaved dog. Dogs may also chase other livestock, or can even be chased menacingly by cattle and horses, with attendant dangers to a human companion. It is also worth remembering that a dog can impulsively chase a cat, even across a busy road, if it is not on a leash.
 On a beach it is important to respect other people and to clean up after your dog. There may be special laws or restrictions for dogs on certain beaches. If you are near the sea or a flooded or frozen river, be careful not to allow the dog to fall into the water. Many owners have been killed in an attempt to rescue a dog, with the dog itself often surviving.

Training and resting time:

The pleasure of exercising a dog will be greatly enhanced by good training. When exercising a dog on a leash, a harness may be preferable to a collar, which can pull harshly on the dog's neck. Halters and similar restraints may help control a pulling dog, but they can snatch dangerously at his neck.
 All dogs require periods of quiet and rest during the day. At home, they should have a designated area where they feel secure, and children should be taught to respect their resting time.