Practices for your Puppy!

Puppy Exercise in Saint Johns and Jacksonville FL

Exercise is important to all dogs, including puppies. If you’re a pet owner with a new puppy, it’s important to understand the value of exercise and how puppy exercise can impact your puppy’s health. Knowing when and how to exercise your puppy can help keep him or her healthy and happy.

Is Exercise Good For Your Puppy?

Yes, exercise is good for puppies. Puppies need to get exercise every day in order to develop strong bones and explore their world. Exercise also helps puppies and their owners develop a closer relationship, by bringing the puppy and owner together in happy activity.

Exercise Best Practices

Exercising a puppy is a little bit different from exercising a grown adult dog. Puppies who are pushed to exercise hard to build up endurance could injury a bone or muscle and do permanent damage to their body. In addition, unlike older dogs, very young puppies often do not understand structured exercise time. As a result, some exercise best practices and puppy training tips include:

• Let your puppy be the guide. If your puppy indicates that he or she is tired and would like to lay down instead of exercise, let your puppy do so.
• Give your puppy lots of “unstructured” play time. This includes time your puppy can spend playing around in the yard and inside your home. You may play with your puppy during this time, but don’t be afraid to have your puppy play on his own. Puppies need to learn to entertain themselves!
• Take your puppy for short walks. Puppy walking is fun, but should not be drawn out for longer than necessary. You can increase the walks a little bit at a time as your puppy ages, but watch your puppy for signs of fatigue or injury and bring him or her home when your puppy indicates it’s time.

Best Types of Exercise for Puppies in Jacksonville and Saint Johns

Puppies respond to a variety of different types of exercise and should be given a variety. Some of the most common types of exercise for puppies include:

• Self-directed play. Self-directed play is play time that your puppy controls and engages in spontaneously. Your puppy won’t need to be told to do self-directed play, but giving your puppy a big yard and a few toys will encourage this type of play.
• Play time together. Play with your puppy on a daily basis. Encourage your puppy to run and chase during this time.
• Structured walks. Structured walks help your puppy learn self-control. Take your puppy for walks on a regular basis. If your puppy has a hard time staying focused during walks, talk to an expert for puppy training tips.