6 Ways Your Dog Is Telling You They Need More Exercise

Lauren Pescarus • September 24, 2020

6 Ways Your Dog Is Telling You They Need More Exercise

Dogs need so many things to stay healthy in body and mind, from the right food to the right socialization. The only problem is they won’t leave a note to let you know when they need something, they will tell you in other ways. For all of us who have come home to a tornado instead of a dog or a barking pooch who just won’t take no for an answer, we may not hear the message that more exercise is needed. Fortunately, we have compiled a list of six ways your dog may be telling you they need more opportunities to get out and run:

1. They are bouncing off the walls: It’s a typical scene for most pet owning professionals: when you come home from a long day at the office and just want dinner and some quiet time, Fido races straight for the leash. While making dinner, your dog is running in circles around the kitchen and jumping off the couch. Bedtime, instead of a quiet affair, turns into playing fetch from the bed. Just because you have used up your energy throughout the day doesn’t mean Fido is just as tired.

Pets who have families with busy daytimes often only get a short walk twice a day for bathroom necessities, but in reality, need time to let off some steam. If your dog is a hyper basket-case when you come home, you might need to take up post rush-hour jogging or hire a professional to help them burn off the energy.

2. They start to pack on the pounds: If your vet has started to give you some side eye when weighing in your dog or your pup starts to become more bulk than fur, you might have a growing weight problem on your paws. Pet obesity is becoming a major problem for many Americans and is responsible for many serious health issues in pets. Lack of exercise, coupled with a calorie dense diet, equals a hefty problem for your furry best friend.

If you notice your dog is starting to gain more than they should, speak with your vet to reduce their calorie intake and start them on an exercise regime. Often, moderate daily exercise can do wonders for an extra fluffy pooch.

3. You’re greeted with a trail of destruction: Some pets are inventive in how they spend their excess energy and it often involves your possessions. Left alone during the day without mental or physical stimulation can lead Fido to exploring the insides of your couch or to see if they can take apart your doors. Even dogs who are normally excellently behaved will turn to destructive means to fill in the long hours you are away, and they are more likely to do so if they are intelligent.

If you come home to torn apart possessions or other signs of destruction, your dog may be hinting that they need a healthier way to entertain themselves. After all, worn out dogs are the best-behaved dogs.

4. They love to talk…to everyone: Bored dogs who are missing stimulation may also be extra talkative. Their non-stop barking can take place all day and all night, and may be an effort to get a reaction from you or their surroundings. Excessive barking often affects not just you but also your neighbors, and can lead to poor feelings all around. This behavior is often seen in dogs who feel alone and neglected, often without enough mental stimulation.

During exercise, your pet is not just letting off physical energy but also mental and emotional energy as well. A long walk or run allows their minds the enrichment a healthy dog needs and can stop them from inventing other ways to stay engaged, like unnecessary barking.

5. They refuse to focus on training: Often we avoid going for outings with our pets if they have bad manners: pulling on the leash, not paying attention to commands, or being aggressive to passersby on the street. As a result, our dogs do not get the training experience that would stop these behaviors. Unfortunately, it’s a circular pattern. Your dog will both continue to have bad leash manners and not be able to burn off the extra energy that stops them from calming down unless you take them out for walks.

An overly energetic dog is similar to an energetic toddler; they often need to run it out before they can listen to directions. You might be surprised that, after a quick jog to release the energy, your dog is ready to get down to the business of training once they don’t have running on the brain.

6. They stop being themselves: Different from dogs being overweight and arthritic, dogs who don’t have an adequate outlet for their energy sometimes become withdrawn and depressed. This comes from being unable to interact with the outside world or have mental enrichment, and often looks as though the dog has a form of depression.

The only answer to a listless and bored dog, once medical causes have been ruled out, is to get them some outside time and possibly a playdate. A new environment that offers problem solving and other enrichment opportunities can change your pup’s glum expression in a moment.

Exercise is a major part of any healthy and happy dog’s life. While human family members are often exhausted by the time they finish their day, a dog is just waiting at home to go on an adventure. They need chances to spend extra energy to be the excellent companion you know they can be: through mental enrichment, social exposure, and regular physical exercise.

If you feel that you aren’t able to live up to your dog’s energy potential, contact your friendly neighborhood dog walking service. Denver Dog Joggers offers many exercise services to get you and your pooch off on the right paw to have a peaceful evening.

By Lauren Pescarus

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The Run Down

Fido Needs Exercise Too!

By Tamara Gilmore • September 24, 2020

Dog benefit greatly from daily exercise. Each dog is an individual, so their abilities will dictate the intensity level of their fitness sessions. Our Dog Runners and Dog Walkers are eager to cater to your dog's service needs. We offer dog walking and dog running services in Denver.