Active Dogs Are Natural
Are You Providing Enough Activity

Do you have active dogs and are they getting enough activity? For many of us, our dog is family, one of our children. Unfortunately some of those children are not getting enough dog activity and end up chewing and tearing up half the house! The problem lies not with the dog but with the dog parents. When a dog parent takes on an active dog that requires daily exercise and running and jumping but doesn't get it, the consequences are just beginning.

It's so important when you are considering bringing a new dog into your home, it's important to consider the activity level of that dog. If you are a couch potato, then a very active breed of dog that doesn't have access to a nice large backyard and you're not willing to take them to the park everyday, your new dog will be miserable. When the dog is miserable, then so are you!

A mismatched pet parent and active dog just doesn't make anybody happy. Many people mistakenly believe that a dog only needs a quick walk up and down the block everyday but that just doesn't cut it. They must be able to truly run, jump and just have fun each and every day.

Often new owners believe they will be able to change their own bad habits but as with all diets and exercise plans, the pet parent tends to start slacking off on walking and pretty soon the whole program is thrown out the window and then the active dog becomes an inactive dog.

I want to be clear in explaining that the amount of daily activity that a dog requires is not just about exercising. When I said it was natural for a dog to be active, I was trying to show the importance of a dog's “spirit”.

Have you ever been out in a wide open space or on a farm and watched a dog? It is such a joyous sight. They will run and jump and bark and just get crazy. It's more than just exercise it's who they are and a walk on a leash around the block just doesn't cut it.

If you are unable to provide an active dog with the proper level of activity, you still have a couple of options. First, do you have a nice, big fenced in back yard? This is a perfect, safe place for a dog to run free and play. Be sure to add some fun toys for them to add to their playtime fun.

If you are an older adult or perhaps have mobility limitations, you should choose a dog that has lower daily activity requirements. A small dog like a Chihuahua or a Poodle can be quite active and run like a maniac around your home in a little burst of energy.

As soon as they run out of steam, they will crawl right back up on your lap or their favorite sleeping spot and fall back asleep for several hours. It's also important to note that a small dog like this doesn't require a large space to be able to run and jump.

People who are really active and like to spend their time outdoors are ideal for an active dog. They are perfect for a dog who needs to go to the park after work for a run or long hikes on the weekends. Plus, they are great companions for their pet parents.

Larger dogs are also more physically active. Generally the working or hunting dogs fall into this category and are always busy and full of energy. They can include Doberman, German Shepherd and Greyhound all of which are build for high mobility and agility.

On the opposite end of this are the extremely large dogs such as the St. Bernard and Bull Mastiff. These big guys can easily outweigh their owners but are low activity dogs. They spend most of their time sleeping at their owners feet.

Obviously there is a great deal more to consider before making your dog choice but considering the dog activity is definitely a top consideration. When you make the effort to go through all of the dog choice considerations, you will end up with a great dog match and both of you will end up with a loving, lasting relationship.

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