Exercising Your Dog in 2025: Vet-Recommended Options for All Temperaments
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🐕 Exercising Your Dog in 2025: Vet-Recommended Options for All Temperaments 🎾
By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc
Exercise is essential for your dog’s physical and mental health—but the best way to stay active depends on your dog’s age, personality, and comfort with other dogs. In this 2025 guide, we explore a variety of vet-approved exercise options that go beyond the usual walk around the block. 🐾
🏞️ Dog Parks
Dog parks are popular—but not for every dog. These off-leash spaces work best for:
- 🐾 Dogs who are social and well-mannered around others
- 💉 Fully vaccinated puppies and current adults
Tips for success:
- 🛑 Watch for rough or unsafe play—advocate for your dog by leaving if needed
- 📅 Choose quieter hours if your dog prefers smaller groups
👃 Sniffari Leash Walks
Sniffaris are mentally enriching walks where sniffing—not distance—is the goal. Use:
- 🔗 An 8–10 foot leash
- 🦺 A front-clip harness to reduce pulling
Benefits of sniffaris:
- 🧠 Mentally tiring
- 🧘 Calming and stress-reducing
- 🌆 Great for any environment—even your backyard or a quiet city block
💡 Tip: Focus on time, not distance. Walk 15 minutes out and 15 minutes back, letting your dog explore at their pace. 🐕
🏫 Daycare
Dog daycare is ideal for:
- 🐶 Puppies needing play and potty breaks
- 👩💼 Busy pet parents needing daytime help
That said, daycare isn’t for every dog. Too much excitement or noise can lead to:
- 😩 Overstimulation or anxiety
- 😴 Inadequate rest periods
Look for:
- ✅ Small playgroups and qualified staff
- 🧼 Cleanliness and vaccination protocols
- 🧠 Enrichment, not just rough play
Older dogs may "age out" of daycare. If they prefer peace, a midday dog walker may be a better fit. 🧍♂️
🎓 Training & Brain Games
Mental exercise can be even more tiring than physical activity. Options include:
- 📚 Obedience training
- 🧠 Trick training
- 🎯 Focus games like “touch” or “find it”
- 🐶 Beginner-level dog sports (rally, nosework)
Great for dogs who:
- 🏠 Struggle to settle at home
- 🚶 Pull on leash or become overstimulated on walks
🎾 Fetch
Fetch can be a great outlet—but only if done safely. Risks include:
- 🦴 Joint strain from jumping or sharp turns
- 😵 Over-arousal that makes it hard to relax after play
Vet Tips for Safe Fetch:
- 🧘 Play a relaxation game first (like “Off Switch Game”)
- 🎯 Throw the ball in your dog’s direction—no twisting!
- ⏳ Stop after just a few throws—don’t overdo it
- 📅 Limit fetch to once or twice a week
📋 Summary: Exercise Options Based on Your Dog
| Activity | Best For | Use Caution If... |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Park | Friendly, social dogs | Your dog is anxious or overstimulated by others |
| Sniffari | All dogs, especially seniors | Dog is highly reactive—start in quiet areas |
| Daycare | Puppies, young dogs | Older or noise-sensitive dogs |
| Training | All dogs, especially high-energy | Use positive reinforcement only |
| Fetch | Dogs with strong retrieval drive | Joint issues or high arousal levels |
📝 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston
Not every dog enjoys every form of exercise. Your job is to discover what Need help building the perfect exercise plan for your pup? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app 📱 to speak with veterinary and training experts. We’ll help you find the right rhythm for your dog’s energy and lifestyle! 🐾🎾
