Experts recommend that dogs get daily exercise that engages both their minds and bodies. Adding dog park equipment does both
Dog park equipment such as hoops, tunnels, ramps and other agility products can provide more than just physical exercise for dogs.
Dog playground equipment is also great for mental exercise as well.
Let's face it. Dogs need activity. It's in their DNA.
Unfortunately, many times they are confined to a home alone for most of the day and don't get the activity they need.
Both physically and mentally.
A bored dog is not good.
They become frustrated and could exhibit destructive behavior. Or they can become sluggish and unhealthy.
Dog park equipment provides physical and mental exercises
_____
"A tired dog is a happy dog."
_____
PetMD recommends a dog should spend between 30 minutes to two hours of activity every day. Obviously certain breeds will need more exercise than others.
Terriers, retrievers, shepherds, hounds, collies and similar dogs need to move. Bulldogs, pugs and other flat-nosed dogs not so much.
Then there is the age factor. Exercise routines vary for puppies, middle-aged and senior dogs.
Just like humans, it is recommended that owners take their dogs to the veterinarian first to be sure they are fit and able to exercise. And to also find out the recommended amount of exercise.
And just like humans, dogs need variety in their exercise routine to keep their minds stimulated.
Adding a hurdle creates instant dog playground equipment for your dog park or doggie day care
Here are a few recommendations:
- Dog Park Equipment: find a park with dog playground equipment such as hoops, ramps, tunnels, hurdles, etc. If your dog is not competing, you don't really need professional agility-grade equipment. But look for sturdy, well-built commercial-grade equipment that is treated with slip-resistant coatings that are also urine-resistant. Learning to jump through a hoop is not only good exercise for the legs and heart, but learning a new skill is also great exercise for the brain too.
- Vary your Dog Parks: hopefully your town has more than one dog park or public off-leash areas where dogs are permitted to play. This way your dog gets to see different landscapes and meet different dogs.
- Vary your Paths: again, take your dog for a walk on different pathways, so they have new areas to see and smell.
- Hire a Dog Walker: many of us lead busy lives and then there are always the unexpected circumstances such as traffic delays, late meetings, etc. One solution to be sure your dog gets adequate exercise is to hire a dog walker. This way the dog walker can take your dog outside for a walk in the middle of the day.
- Doggie Day Care: many professionals will take their dogs to a daycare facility. There the dogs can mingle in a common area with other pups or get some walking exercise from the staff.
- Swimming: some dog parks have ponds, lakes and even beaches where dogs can run, jump and swim. Naturally, this is also great during those hot summer days.
- Toys: dogs love their toys don't they? Squeaky toys, chew toys, etc. Try puzzle toys where the dog has to dig around to find a treat. These toys seem to be growing in popularity.
- Treats: if you are going to be out of the house, one expert recommends maybe hiding treats around the house and let the dog go on a scavenger hunt.
- Play Hide and Seek: put some treats in your pocket and then hide. Call for the dog and have them find you. Could actually be fun for owners too.
- Schedule Play Dates: your neighbors' dogs need exercise too. Arrange for a playdate. Great opportunity for humans to mingle too.
Remember, if you do start an activity with your dog, be sure to start off slow with a warm-up walk and to end the session with a cool off period.
Always bring water and a portable doggie dish. There are drinking fountains at parks that also have spigots at the bottom for our canine friends as well.
Got a rambunctious dog? Many experts will tell you, once you get that dog out of the house and running around, that behavior is very likely to disappear when they get back home.
A dog will thank you for wearing them out
There's much truth to the adage, "A tired dog is a happy dog." (Another well-known version is, "A tired dog is a good dog." That would especially apply to situations where an owner comes home and finds the dog has torn up the couch, rug, remote controls and various pillows.).
(Here are some other great quotes about dogs).
According to a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association, there are 60 million households in the US that own a dog.
That's quite a few Fidos and Fifis laying around living rooms every day.
If your town doesn't have a dog park, talk to the local parks and recreation department about adding one.
If your town does provide a dog park, consider talking to the local officials about adding dog park equipment to give those dogs something to do, both physically and mentally.
Because here's another great quote, "There are no bad days when you come home to a dog's love."
Return the favor. Give your dog some outdoor time and variety to get their minds going and their bodies moving.