Is my dog stressed because they do not have enough exercise?

Question

Jessica Wheatcraft · Answer

Is my dog stressed because they do not have enough exercise, that's very possible. I would be curious as to the behaviors that you are seeing that. You are perceiving as your dog being stressed because that's going to help us better understand how your dog is responding to exercise. And whether the question of if the exercise is long enough in terms of meeting, your dogs needs, or maybe it's the type of exercise that has to be the Bigger question here. So in general, if you have a dog who comes home after exercise and they are relaxed and they can rest and or sleep the majority of the time afterwards. Then you're likely meeting your dogs needs, and there aren't typically going to be signs of stress on the other side if you are perhaps not exercising or dog for long enough which is again hugely dependent on an individual dog. But I would say In general, a young adult dog is probably not going to get their needs met by 20 minute. Walk around the block, they're going to need some type of exercise, that is longer allowing them to move their bodies more freely. So it could be the type of exercise that you're doing. And the other piece to keep in mind, is that your type of exercise might actually be overstimulating to your dog. I see a lot of dogs that go and play fetch for, you know, 45 minutes, straight or play really hard with other dogs, for a long period of time. They come. Home. They appear to be physically exhausted for about 20 or 30 minutes and then they're up and they're ready to go again. So if you find that, then I would be looking at the type of exercise that you are providing for your dog, assuming that it's likely to overstimulating for them and focusing on exercise that maybe has a little bit about play. But then perhaps has a lot more time where your dog could move freely and sniff and engage in more relaxing behaviors which will therefore decrease their stress.

Brie Blakeman · Answer

So the question is, is my dog stressed because they do not have enough exercise. So while exercise is very important, it's only one piece of the pie dogs, really, really benefit from mental enrichment that meets. One of their six canine Corps needs, those are sniffing dissecting chewing chasing digging and social contact. So these are species specific needs that really need to be expressed. And providing productive outlets for your dog to do. Those activities is more likely to lower their anxiety or stress levels than physical exercise alone, taking a dog on a walk, doesn't really count as physical exercise. Anyways, and the world is pretty complicated and stressful for some dogs who are prone to anxiety. So, I recommend investing in some food dispensing puzzle toys that meet one of those six core needs.

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"Is my dog stressed because they do not have enough exercise?"