Small dogs are often perceived as those who do not need exercise and are happy to spend their days on the couch. However, the reality is different – every dog needs physical activity adapted to its health, condition and age. Do you have a small dog? See how to take care of his mobility needs.
Matching the activity to the dog's abilities
Not every dog will be a fan of several-hour walks where it explores all corners. The needs of dogs can be different, and as owners, we must understand it.
Start planning your training by looking at your pet’s condition and wellness. Older dogs will be less willing to play intensively than their younger colleagues. The same can be true for smaller animals. It does not mean that we should completely give up any activity. It is worth thinking about consulting a specialist – during a routine check-up, talk to the vet about the possibilities of your dog. If in doubt, you can also make an appointment with a canine physiotherapist.
Small dogs need exercise too
It is recognized that a dog needs an average of 30 minutes to an hour of physical activity a day. The recommended training time varies depending on the breed, age and animal’s size. How to keep small dogs active? Their needs will be slightly different.
Small doesn’t mean less fit! It is a deeply rooted stereotype among owners who often treat small pets as couch dogs and provide them with too little activity. Some dogs of small breeds and crossbreeds often need a lot of exercise, attention and developing their instincts. A good example is small hunting dogs, whose nature is to chase after a target or check every hole in the forest. If you are planning to buy or adopt a dog friend, first read about the type of breed or talk to the guardians at the shelter.
What activity for small dogs select?
You don’t have to limit yourself to choosing one type of activity. Test different games and see what your friend likes the most. What kind of training can you try? Here are our suggestions.
Get to know the area
A walk is more than just taking care of physiological matters! Remember that going out is to satisfy the needs for exploration, socialization, and physical and mental exhaustion. Thanks to walks, your dog gets to know the environment, builds a bond with you and learns to react to different situations.
Your friend’s short legs don’t necessarily mean that it doesn’t have the strength and desire to walk a little further than around the block 😉 Go for a little while exploring the area. Maybe there is an interesting park or a piece of forest near you?
A fetch time!
At home or in the park? Retrieving can be a good exercise in all conditions. It is founded on basic canine instincts – quick chase, catching the victim and bringing it to the place. By teaching your dog to fetch, you strengthen your bond and pay attention to possible gaps in communication. Depending on the dog’s abilities, retrieval training excesses energy and improves concentration.
What to fetch? There is a significant issue for smaller dogs. It is crucial to choose a suitable toy – too large will cause problems for the animal, which can be a source of frustration. From here it is not far from behavioural problems.
Watch what your friend likes. Soft stuffed animals or hard-to-chew toys? At Wikopet, we are prepared for any eventuality! Our toys take different shapes, and the materials used for their production are completely safe for dogs.
Swimming? Why not!
Maybe it’s time to try a whole new activity. Teach your dog to swim! In the summer, it’s a refreshing activity that will tire your friend out and help him stay fit. Although it requires thorough preparation, warm-up and getting used to the water, it can be a lot of fun.
Swimming will also work well for small dogs that have a lot of energy and are in good condition. However, it is important not to overload the dog and monitor its activity in the water. If you are afraid of open water, you can start your water training by swimming in controlled conditions. In some cities, there are rehab centres that offer classes in the dog pool.
Sniffing in the comfort of home
Aren’t you interested in walking? It does not matter! You can develop your dog’s sense of smell at home with the help of a scent mat. Just hide a few flavours in it that will stimulate your little friend’s senses. Sniffing mats allow you to constantly change the intensity of stimuli, which provides your dog with variety. By using different rewards, their quantity and the difficulty level of the mat, the fun becomes always satisfying for the dog. In addition, learning to use the mat means learning independence. Short little noses will sniff too!
Agility - general development training
Have you ever heard of the term agility? It is a general development sport for dogs. It primarily improves communication between animals and humans. This discipline requires the dog to complete an obstacle course within a certain time. What’s important, the dog cannot be led on a leash or have a collar. The task of the caretaker is to guide the dog only using commands.
Agility requires the animal to be extremely dexterous due to the wide variety of obstacles. The smallness of the dog is not a problem – all you need is interest and willingness to train.
Rest - an important element of training
Rest is a basic element of training and any physical activity! Don’t forget about it. Make sure that your dog finds time to regenerate after an intense day. Provide a pet with peace and a comfortable place where it can lie down comfortably and spend its free time. If the pet is particularly active and its training is frequent, think carefully about the choice of bed. We recommend orthopaedic beds made of special foam that relieves joints.
Why involve a small dog in physical activity?
Properly selected physical activities will allow your dog to enjoy good condition and physical fitness for longer. It’s up to you and your encouragement to train, what form your friend will be in. Remember that activity and satisfaction of needs is also the key to the animal’s happiness. The result of spending time actively is also learning to be independent and rest.