Dog Exercise Ideas

Tired of the same old dog walk? I bet your dog is too. Here are some dog exercise ideas that can help put the fun back into exercising your dog. Before I share dog exercise ideas with you, here are some dog exercising tips...

Your dog won't tell you when he has become overheated or hurt during exercise. Why? Survival. It is a weakness to quit. So it's your job as guardian to stop long before he has had too much. The goal is not about whether your dog is the best athlete. It is that you and your dog are enjoying your relationship while doing these exercises.

Exercise for a dog, especially a husky, equates reward. Here's the deal, a healthy dog left free to roam will cover 20 to 30 MILES PER DAY. Of course this doesn't mean you should run your dog 30 miles a day if they have been camping out on the couch for a good portion of their life. I'm not suggesting you leave your dog to roam free either. But those numbers really put things into perspective when it comes to dog exercise ideas and the physical well being of our dogs.

What to look for if your dog has had enough...

1. Your husky starts becoming disinterested or is lagging behind.

2. He is limping or favoring a part of his body. His gate (the way he runs) may start to look different or awkward to you (it does not have to be a dramatic difference).

3. His tail starts to hang low and he holds his ears back.

Tips for keeping your dog healthy during exercise...

1. Offer your dog water, even during cold weather exercise.

2. Feed meals 4 hours before exercise or 30 minutes after exercise. That means if you exercise your dog, you either need to feed him small meals throughout the day, or a main meal 4 hours BEFORE the exercise. The best solution is to bring your dogs meal with you (plus some extra) and just feed small amounts throughout the day. This is also a good way to reward your dog during training.

3. Check your dogs pads once in awhile, and bring a little tube of super-glue along for cut pads. Or better yet, bring along a first aid kit.

4. Make sure you bring plenty of water for your dog to drink (and don't forget the bowl) because you might not find drinkable water on the trail. There might BE water on the trail, but it might be contaminated, dogs can get giardia too.

5. As with any exercise you are teaching, give your dog a chance to learn the skill. If you are asking your dog to pull you via a sled, bike, or skis, that takes awhile to get it right.

6. Only do a mile or two every other day during the first few weeks. That might not be enough for your level of endurance, or it might be boring for you. Don't try to get your personal exercise in during the same time you train your dog. At least don't expect that right away. There will be plenty of time for exercising together.

Finally, while trying these dog exercise ideas, remember that mental stimulation is exhausting for your dog. Even if your dog plays with other dogs on a daily basis, learning a new skill such as agility or mushing is very tiring for your dog (but remember, they won't tell you that). Keep your dog motivated by stopping while it's still fun!

Get this book Ski Spot Run: The Enchanting World of Skijoring and Related Dog-Powered Sports for fun ways to hang with your husky!

Here are more dog exercise ideas...

Check out the books below. I know there is a hiking book with dog friendly trails near you!

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