Exercise important for dogs too
Carolyn L. Cheney
Board of Directors
You have decided to adopt a dog from the Central Aroostook Humane Society, and you are not sure what kind of dog or what size dog you want. We all know dogs require food and water, shelter, medical care and companionship. Exercise is another important component regarding the care of a dog.
There are many mixed breeds plus some purebreds usually at the shelter. If it is a young dog, generally you can tell the size it is going to be in adulthood by figuring out the dominant breed or breeds. If the dominant breed includes labs, retrievers, most terriers, boxers, standard poodles and Dobermans, these are high-energy dogs and require a lot of exercise. All puppies have lots of energy, so the new owners need to be prepared for that. A short-nosed dog generally doesn’t need a lot of exercise.
Dogs, like us humans, get bored and require mental stimulation, and often the answer is exercise — especially after this terribly long winter. It is recommended that dogs get 60 minutes of daily exercise, which I know is not the easiest thing with our long winters. When dogs are mentally stimulated from exercise, they are not so apt to be destructive when left alone in the house, and of course they will be happier.
This winter I have tried to do 20 minutes of walking in my house, going up the stairs and then down to the basement to throw wood in the wood furnace. My Henry follows me around but refuses to go to the basement. I have found out that many dogs will not go to a basement which I find interesting. This routine of ours is not the most physically challenging exercise or mentally stimulating, but I figure it is better than none.
Outdoor walking is wonderful for our dogs and us. It is great for exercise and it helps a dog become socialized. It is a good idea to try different routes so boredom doesn’t set in. It is most important to keep a dog on a leash. Even though a dog may be extremely well-trained, one can be startled or see another dog and take off. A dog fight is not a good form of exercise.
Most of us do not get sufficient exercise so exercising or playing with our dogs helps prevent weight gain, improve sleep, strengthen the cardiovascular system and enhance mental alertness for all.
For various reasons there are times we just can’t get the exercise in for us or the dogs. Doggie day care is a wonderful option for dogs. Take them in the morning and pick them up at night a couple of times of week, and usually they are very happy campers. Some kennels, if you wish, allow the dogs to play together in an area and they love it. My Henry loves to go to the kennels when we are away and when he comes home he sleeps like a baby for a day or two.
Please visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society at 26 Cross St., Presque Isle, and take home an exercise buddy and friend for life.
