How much exercise does an adult need?

[HerculesMomma]

I feel silly asking the question, but I really have no idea what the answer is. How much daily exercise does a Rottie need? Hercules is 2 1/2.

Also, how much does playing with your dog indoors factor into be included as exercise - or is indoor play not really exercise?

Last part of my question, I don't have a fence right now so Hercules is on a cable and steak in the ground (I'll go out with him if it's not too cold, otherwise I watch from inside) and he has a little running room, but I wouldn't call it exercise. But when I do finally get the fence installed, how much of playing outside can be factored into "exercise"?

[Judi W]

As far as physical exercise needs, truthfully, I don't consider hanging around in the yard even with a bit of play, exercise, but it is freedom for the dog and pleasurable. How much is needed to keep a dog fit really does vary with the individual and its energy level. Exercise is usually walks, jogs, trotting beside a bike, that sort of thing. Some dogs need more than others or they get fat and out of condition. Others seem to maintain condition on less but those are also the fit ones who can go further longer and take great joy out of it. Play in the house is mentally stimulating but unless you are living in a castle really not physically demanding. Most training is a combination of physical and mental exercise.

There, now aren't you totally confused?????

Conclusion. If your dog does not appear fit and tires easily and looks lazy then you need to up the physical exertion and that means hitting the bricks.

[Rott-Wiley]

I've been working my 2½ year old bitch 4 or 5 times a week trotting next to an electric scooter and it's done wonders for her. We go for 20 to 30 minutes (sometimes more) at about 4.5 m.p.h. which is a perfect speed for her because it is where she just starts to trot and gets that front reach to her stride.

But I can't say that any dog I've ever owned needed the exact same amount of exercise to stay fit. I think it's entirely up to the individual dog.

[Lookie]

We walk Harley along the dyke, for 2.5 kilometers (approx 3 miles). She is always up and down the slopes of the dyke, swimming, running ahead and running back to us, we figure she gets enough exercise.

That's not even including the two 20 minute walks to take the kids to school and back.

[HerculesMomma]

Naw, not totally confused, but maybe a bit perplexed :D I thought there would be some kind of guidelines similar to exercise for people - you know, 30 minutes a day at least 3 times a week etc. I didn't know it varied so much depending on the dog!

Hercules can seem to stand our walks no problem - usually they're anywhere from 20 minutes to 45 minutes. But I've been slacking a bit with the walks in the last two weeks and was thinking he could stand to loose a few pounds. So I was curious if I was neglecting him too much in the exercise department. We are only going for walks maybe 3 or 4 times a week, where prior to that if it wasn't everyday, I would do it every other day and then sometimes twice a day.

Bottom line, I got him fattened up pretty quick when I was feeding him beef and rice for his parasite (maybe I was feeding him too much too). With his kibble his weight has been holding steady but after he weighed in last week and looking at him I think he's at his fat max and could use to slim down a bit. I've already started to cut back on his kibble some, and I think on OB class night I will really limit his dinner. I was just curious how the exercise might play into it all. I guess until I get him down a bit on his weight I'll try and keep his activity level up and see if he's reponsive to that.

Thanks all! Oh, and I was curious about your scooter Rott-Wiley. I thought I read a message thread that you got a scooter so you could get back out there with your pooch - have you found that difficult to manage or has it been pretty easy to adjust to? I wouldn't do that with Hercules right now because he needs to learn some more leash manners I think, but with a bad disc in my back I can only handle low impact exercise - sounds like a scooter would be an interesting alternative to step up the pace a bit :)

[Carina43]

I'd think it's the same as with people...there's a minimum which will depend on the dog to keep him in decent healthy condition, and anything beyond that will just make him even fitter!
That's probably not much help huh. :o

I'm spoiled now because I have three dogs and a very large fenced area for them to play in, so they really can wear each other out...they can get going in a full out run. I still try taking at least one dog per day for at least a 20 minute walk/run though, for extra exercise, bonding, & keeping up on our leash manners.

When I was in the city & had a smaller yard, the dogs got a minimum 30 minute walk daily along with yard time. I also had a dog walker guy who would come by at lunch time weather permitting when I was really busy with work. He charged $14.00 for about a 30 minute walk. When I lived in Colorado I did lots more hiking too, and my then-Rottie got TONS of mountain day hikes, and weekly trips to one of several lakes & reservoirs where he could really run and swim until he was exhausted. :)

I would say time alone in a yard or tie-out does not count as exercise unless he's playing with another dog, or you're out there throwing a ball or something.
I think playing in the house counts as some exercise at least, better than nothing!
I used to bike a lot with my dearly-departed Nottweiler Phoebe. :) And I started doing last summer with Daphne; I plan to make it a much more regular thing this year.

Maybe once you start going to regular classes you'll meet someone with a compatible dog & you can arrange play dates for Hercules, if he's the sort that enjoys playing with other dogs. :)

[Rott-Wiley]

Originally Posted by HerculesMomma

Oh, and I was curious about your scooter Rott-Wiley. I thought I read a message thread that you got a scooter so you could get back out there with your pooch - have you found that difficult to manage or has it been pretty easy to adjust to? I wouldn't do that with Hercules right now because he needs to learn some more leash manners I think, but with a bad disc in my back I can only handle low impact exercise - sounds like a scooter would be an interesting alternative to step up the pace a bit :)

Well, not to get back out because I had always been walking and working with her but with the scooter she doesn't have to constantly wait for me. Walking next to the scooter at the proper speed is really great low impact exercise for her and her heeling has improved as a result of it. She has lost weight and generally has a much better attitude. We don't do formal heeling on our walks but she does maintain her position next to the scooter.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Julius gets at least two 30 minute walks per day with a few training sessions thrown in throughout the day. He also is in his fenced in area for a few hours every day depending on the weather. Usually Ryan or I will sit by the computer desk & watch him out the window. He'll usually just sit & hang out in the sun or maybe bounce around with a ball for a bit but not enough to consider it exercise.

We try & up the exercise on the weekends & do quite a few hikes. Usually at least an hour long hike every day with a bunch of walks thrown in. Once it gets a bit warmer we'll go to a deep stream & go swimming with Julius. He loves it & it's wonderful exercise (NO IMPACT!)

I agree though, it does depend on the dog. Julius seems to stay fit on two walks a day.

:)
Brooke

[SABELLESMOM]

Weather is a big factor, for us. Generally speaking we like to get 1.5-2 miles 1-2x daily, just walking. We add a few trot burts, and do some hiking when we get free time. Swimming is also an option. We like some variation to our routine of just walking. This summer, I want to try biking as well.

Dogs may differ a bit. Rotties are fairly hardy, athletes and enjoy getting out with you, anytime! To keep them in shape, generally? I'd think one or two 20-30 minute walks daily would do for the average pet.

[Rott-Wiley]

Here's a link to an article that says that dogs need exercise but they don't say how much. http://www.friendshiphospital.com/he...ogexercise.php It seems like I've read somewhere that they should receive at least 20 minutes 3 times a week but I can't remember where I saw that.

[Skip]

Along with normal, everyday playtime....On monday, wednesday, and friday Rocky does a 3-mile jog with me. He also gets about a 20-30 minute walk everyday. He still has plenty of energy to run around the house when we get home from our jogs, so I know he's not being over-worked.

[Shaw_2112]

I try to spend at least 1 to 1 1/2 daily doing different things with Harley, We usually do a 20 min training session then a 30 minute walk after, then just to make sure I've worn her out good we'll play a game of fetch or "chase" for about 15 -20 minutes before we go in for the night. I'm also careful about how much I feed her. She gets 2 cups of premium food twice a day. She's gained some weight since I adopted her from the shelter (70lbs to 85lbs) in 3 months but she still looks trim.

[HerculesMomma]

Wow, everyone must be fit as a fiddle! Thanks for all of your input. I've increased our walk time to be 45 minutes, but so far I've only managed to get it in once a day. Hopefully that will be sufficient. I had two days where I got called out of town on a business trip, but my cousin walked him for me. She was talking about how well behaved he was on a leash - I finally took him this morning and he was a monster for the first dozen houses! Go figure!

When the temp warms up a bit here in Michigan, I may look into taking him while on a bike ride or scooter. Maybe then I could work up the time/stamina to take him out twice a day. He's already been cut back to 1 to 1 1/2 cups of premium food a day depending on how long our training sessions are. I think the extra treats from training was helping keep the weight on.

Can't wait to try him out in my Aunts pool and see if he likes it. Their actually opening it this weekend! First I have to make sure he gets along okay with my Aunts old timer dog. That'll be interesting!

Thanks again everyone!