Many dog owners struggle to give their dogs enough exercise. Bored dogs who are full of energy are more likely to engage in nuisance behaviors like jumping, chewing, barking, digging, and pulling on leash. Here is a variety of ideas to help you find the right form of physical exercise for your dog. Note that depending on your dog’s personality and favorite activities, some of these - like fetching a ball - can wind your dog up rather than sating and calming him. You may choose to avoid certain activities for that reason, or follow them with a more calming activity like a decompression walk, tricks training, or chewing on a bone. Make sure to balance physical exercise with mental enrichment.
One other note of caution is that if your dog is not yet full grown, you should be careful with activities that are high impact or cause repetitive stress, as this can lead to growth plate injuries. If you want to take your dog for long bouts of exercise like jogging or running beside a bicycle, make sure to follow a conditioning plan and increase intensity over time, just as you would with a human athlete.
Running toy play
Fetch: chasing a tossed toy (often a ball), then bringing it back to you to toss again. Try a Chuck It to add distance to your throws.
If your dog doesn’t pick up the ball, try training a retrieve separate from playtime.
If your dog picks up the ball but doesn’t bring it toward you, try:
Play in a hallway or other corridor that encourages him to come back toward you because he doesn’t have anywhere else to go. Then use a treat or second ball to reward him.
After he picks up the ball, run in the other direction so he chases you. Reward with a treat or second ball when he catches up.
Attach a string to the ball and use it to gently reel your dog in. Reward with a treat or second ball when he reaches you.
If your dog brings the ball back but doesn’t drop it, try “2 ball fetch”:
1. Throw the first ball.
2. When your dog comes back, bring out the second ball and get him excited about it.
3. As soon as he drops the first ball, throw the second one as a reward.
4. Pick up the ball he dropped, and repeat.
If your dog brings the ball back but really wants to play tug instead of having you throw it again, try using a ball on a tug rope so that you can tug easily. Teach them to drop it separate from playtime. Examples of balls on a tug rope are the Nero Ball, Beanie Braided Fleece Ball Tug, Kong Squeaker Ball with Throw Rope, Fling Thing Tennis Ball Toy
Fetch on an incline: To make it more physically challenging, play on a slope. (Don’t use stairs, as that’s a major tripping/falling hazard when your dog is excited.)
Disc/frisbee: Same as fetch, but using a disc. Your dog may prefer this over a ball. Practice tossing the disc so it stays low to the ground, or even rolls along the ground, to discourage wild jumps into the air that may cause injury.
Toss a toy and run away: It doesn’t matter whether your dog picks up the toy - just get him sprinting after it, then sprinting back after you! Yes, you’ll be getting exercise as well, but your dog will be covering at least twice as much ground as you.
Toss a Lotus Ball or other treat-filled toy: If your dog doesn’t care about toys but enjoys treats, you can teach him how to get a treat out of a Lotus Ball, and get him chasing that.
Laser pointer: Some people like to have their dog chase a laser pointer like cats do, but this should be used with extreme caution as dogs are prone to developing compulsive behaviors associated with chasing lights and shadows. Most veterinarians and behaviorists advice against playing with laser pointers.
Tugging toy play
Go ahead and play tug, but make sure to practice drop it, teach your dog to sit politely instead of jumping up for and snatching at the toy, and only play with dog toys and not random objects.
If your dog has only a little interest in toys and you want to encourage him to play, try:
Use special “high value” toys like ones that incorporate real rabbit fur or real sheepskin.
Put a toy on a string and have it “run away” from your pup, then let him catch it and have it “try to get away.” This stimulates predatory behavior, which is natural for most dogs.
Give only very gentle tugs, and let your dog quickly “win.” Fuss over him when he wins the toy.
Flirt pole: A flirt pole is a like a giant cat toy or fishing pole for dogs. It allows you to whip a toy along the ground for your dog to chase and tug with. You can purchase a designated flirt pole (small dogs, big dogs) or create your own by purchasing a lunge whip at the feed store and attaching any toy dog to the end.
Spring pole: For serious tuggers! If your dog loves to play tug so much that he doesn’t even need a human on the other end of the toy, you can hang a metal spring from a tree or other solid object and attach a strong line and toy at the end. Your dog can tug and tug against the metal spring.
Indoor activities
Hide and seek: Hide from your dog while he is distracted, waiting in a stay, or being held by another family member. Then call him and let him run around and try to find you! This works well with multiple family members hiding and taking turns calling the dog.
Recall round robin: Make a big circle with family members and take turns calling your dog back and forth.
Toss treats or kibble: Let your dog chase down each piece as you toss them first to one side, then the other.
Indoor agility: Set up an obstacle course using furniture, cardboard boxes, and blankets! Try having your dog go under, over, through, between, and around various items. For example, he might go between the couch and wall, then under a draped blanket, then around a bar stool, then over a broomstick propped horizontally on books, then through a cardboard box tunnel!
Backyard activities
Backyard agility: As above, you can create your own obstacles that your dog will go under, over, through, between, and around. You can use items you already have, like broomsticks, flower pots, and deck chairs. If you like creating things, you can find tutorials online for creating PVC jumps and weave poles and wooden dog walks and a-frames. See a video with more ideas here. Or you can purchase a home agility kit online.
Digging: If your dog loves to dig up your veggies and flower beds, consider creating a designated digging area for him! You can use a plastic pool or create a wooden frame and fill it with play sand. To help him learn to dig only in that area, bury toys and chews for him to find.
Pool: Swimming is a great form of exercise. To help your dog get comfortable with the pool, practice getting in and out at the shallow end before you expect him to actually swim. If even that is scary, or you have a small dog, practice with a small plastic children’s pool first.
Outings
Swimming: You can find areas to let your dog paddle around or swim at Putah Creek by downtown Winters, Lake Berryessa, or travel farther out to a dog-friendly beach.
Hiking: Whether on or off leash, a hike in a natural area with lots of new scents beats a walk through the neighborhood any day. Check out Rockville Hills Regional Park, Browns Valley Open Space Preserve, Lagoon Valley and Pena Adobe, Rush Ranch Open Space, and Grasslands Regional Park.
Park: Even dogs who have trouble with coming when called can play at a grassy, open park if they are on a long line.
Jogging or running: If you’re just as much of an athlete as your dog, you can go jogging or running together, or have your dog run alongside your bicycle. (It’s recommended to use a Springer or similar dog attachment for your bike so that they can’t veer in front of you.)
Bikejoring, pulling scooter, carting: A strong, fit dog can pull your bicycle (called bikejoring), scooter, or a cart for exercise. This requires foundational training to start, stop, turn left and right, and ignore distractions.
Playmates
Dog park: The dog park is what many people immediately think of when they want their dog to have a romp and play. This can be a good outlet, but should be used with caution. Because there is no screening of who goes into the dog park, and not all owners are vigilant or knowledgeable, there can be lots of bullying or even fighting. In addition, the entrance to the park can be overwhelming, with everyone mobbing newcomers. The dog park should only be used for dogs who are already friendly and stable in a variety of social situations. Small dogs should not mix with unknown large dogs for safety. Here is more information on making outings to the dog park successful.
Play dates: Prearranged play dates make an excellent alternative to the free-for-all of the dog park. Set up one on one dates for dogs that your dog has already met and gets along with, or ones you think will be a good match. If you don’t know anyone among your friends, family, or neighbors, try searching for like-minded folks on NextDoor or local Facebook groups.
Group walks: For dogs that aren’t into play but do like to hang out with their doggy friends, arrange to go on a walk together, in the neighborhood or at a park.
Dog sports
There are many, many organized dog sports to dabble in, and multiple organizations that host competitions. You’ll want to ask around to find what is local to you. These are just a few of the sports that emphasize physical exertion on the dog’s part:
Agility: An obstacle course with jumps, tunnels, a-frame, weave poles, and more.
Lure coursing: The dogs chase after a “lure” (usually a white plastic bag) that is animated via a wire, and runs away like a small prey animal.
Weight pulling: Strong dogs pull a weighed-down cart or sled.