What Are The Benefits of Exercise?
They physical and mental benefits of exercise are:
Physical Benefits
Helps to keep dogs healthy, agile and limber
Helps to strengthen the heart and lungs
Helps to build muscle and tones muscle
Helps to improve coordination and stabilises the joints
Helps to reduce digestive problems and constipation
Helps dogs feel sleepy, rather than restless, at bedtime or when the owner is relaxing
Helps the body and metabolic system to function properly
Helps to keep dogs’ weight under control
Engages the mind
Mental Benefits
Bored dogs are unhappy dogs – dogs need something to do.
Releases endorphins in the brain (particularly if the dog is trotting for any length of time), creating a feeling of overall well-being.
Helps timid or fearful dogs build confidence and trust
Socialisation
Helps the dog to focus better, and hence the dog is easier to train
Exercise can help with the pain of arthritis, dysplasia and other mild to moderate conditions.
Exercise helps the dog to release energy that would otherwise be acted out as grumpiness, aggression, nervousness or insomnia.
Too much confinement can result in stress, which dogs can turn into shoe chewing and anxious behaviour with company.
The dog will rest and sleep better, which in turn leads to good attitude.
Lack of Exercise
A lack of exercise will contribute to behaviour problems in dogs due to frustration and boredom – if you don’t give them something constructive to do with their energy, they’ll find something to do on their own. Some of the most common behaviour problems seen in dogs who don’t get enough exercise and play are:
Destructive chewing, digging or scratching
Tail chasing
Investigative behaviours, like raiding the rubbish bins
Self-harming
Separation anxiety
Hyperactivity, excitability and night-time activity
Unruliness, knocking over furniture and jumping up on people
Excessive predatory and social play
Play biting and rough play
Attention-getting behaviours like barking and whining
Toileting in the house
Developing compulsive habits like excessive licking
Aggression, fear or over excitement
Obesity, with associated health risks
Pulling on the lead due to over excitement