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10 Ways To Exercise Your Dog Indoors

Just like us, our dogs need exercise to stay healthy and to burn off energy. There might be various reasons you’re stuck inside, like a pandemic requiring quarantine, maybe you live in an apartment, or it’s the cold winter months of the year. Whatever the reason, it can be hard to get your dog outside at times.

How Much Exercise Does a Dog Need

Exercise Dog Indoors

The recommended amount of exercise from a veterinarian is between 30 minutes to an hour. Depending on the breed of dog, age, and any pre-existing health concerns this number could vary.

If you have a Bulldog or a Mastiff, a walk around the block might be enough for them. If you have a Border Collie or a Heeler, they can easily go for one or two hours. Just be mindful and watch how your dog is responding to the exercises. In most cases, they will tell you when they have had enough.

Dog Indoor Activities

Even though you might be stuck inside there are a few ways that you can still get your dog some exercise. Most of the activities listed below don’t require much equipment and are a great way to wear out that new puppy.

Agility Couse

Depending on how much space you have in your living quarters, this could be a great way to strengthen your dog physically and also mentally. Having a set of weave poles in the hallway could be an easy setup.

Get Them A Friend

This could be taken in two different ways. One, have a puppy date with a friend or neighbor to let your dog play and run with another dog or two adding another dog to the family. Either way, this is a great way to get them to exercise but it can help them grow socially with both dogs and people.

Fetch

A classic activity that has been a part of a dog’s life for centuries. Having a limited space could have some challenges but even the smallest amount of movement can make a difference. Use soft cotton like fetch toys to save your house from dents and scratches.

Hide Treats

Hiding treats around the house and having your dog use their nose to find them is a great physical and mental activity for your dog. Start with something easy like hiding a treat underneath a cup, making your dog push the cup over to find the treat.

Puzzle Chew Toys

Chew toys are an easy way to get your dog to use some energy and contain them in a small area. You can challenge them a bit more and get a puzzle chew toy. These chew toys have treats that fall out once your dog performs a certain action.

Obstacle Course

Like the agility course, this could be limited to your space but there are options with the furniture you have. Such as army crawling under the coffee table or tunnel under a blanket with chairs. There have been internet challenges of blocking the hallway with household items to see if your dog can get through without knocking anything over.

Training

Basic training is not only a good exercise but it can help strengthen the bond between you and your dog. Dogs that know the basic commands like sit, stay, and heel are crucial for taking your dog into public spaces with other people.

Treadmill

This might be the hardest one on the list but could be very effective. Training your dog to use the treadmill will have some challenges but you would have the full potential to give your dog an exercise routine. Depending on the size of your dog, you could use a human treadmill or you may have to purchase one specifically made for your dog.

Tug of War

This activity will only be an option depending on your dog’s personality. Most dogs love to play tug of war. If you are playing tug of war with your dog, keep in mind of your dog’s teeth and how hard you are pulling. You want to keep constant pressure without lifting your dog off the ground.

Up and Down Stairs

If there are stairs in your house you can have your dog go up and down them with you. Keeping a steady pace and mindful of your dog’s safety. This is a quick way to get your dog panting. Just like us, it is hard working going up and down stairs constantly.

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