posted 05-18-2003 01:20 AM         

Just letting your dog out to the backyard is not enough and does not give the exercise the dog needs. And again a brief daily walk sometimes is not enough either. Then how do you decide how much exercise your dog needs? The type of exercise you choose for your dog should depend on the age, weight, health and breed of the dog. Is your dog eating a lot? If it is, is it eating out of boredom? Is your dog a hunter or a retriever who likes to run or is it a small breed who likes to sit on the couch? These are some of the questions you have to ask before you provide your dog the proper daily workout.

If your dog is old, you have to encourage your dog to exercise, like walking. If your dog is pregnant you should never over exercise her. Daily exercise is recommended unless there is a medical problem. You should consult your veterinarian before you decide on a fitness program for your pet. Healthy dogs need interaction with other dogs and people. Dog parks are great for this and some of them allow the dogs to play and walk unleashed. You should check the regularities of the parks around your area.

Most dogs enjoy games of catch which is a good exercise for your dog. But you should be careful about using soft objects or tennis balls to avoid harming the dog's teeth.

Long walks in the woods, parks or on the beach will also make your pet happy. Jogging or biking is great way to spend time with each other and it is beneficial for both of you to build strong muscles. There are some things that you should be careful about during these activities

- Avoid jogging or biking with your dog if it has any pre-existing health problems.

- Take notice if the dog seems to be tired.

- Take water along for your dog, too.

- On hot summer days, you should go out early in the morning or late evening when it is cooler.

Dogs enjoy playing with Frisbees on land or in water. Also you can play a simple game with a rope. You can get a rope and let your dog take one end and you the other, then you both pull away.

Swimming also is an enjoyable activity for your dog.

Exercising with your dog creates a human-dog bond. It is a great way to show that you care about your dog and make it happy. Tired dogs are the happiest ones.