When it comes to getting fresh air and exercise for your dog, you have plenty of options. However, some of the most popular choices might not be the best fit for every dog.

Dog Parks

Dog parks are a popular choice because they let your dog run off-leash. When visiting dog parks, consider the following:

• These areas are best if your dog is friendly and comfortable around other dogs.
• Advocate for your dog and remove them if there are concerning behaviors from others.       
• Only fully vaccinated puppies should go to dog parks.
• Your older dog should be current on vaccines.

Sniffari Leash Walk

A great way to exercise your dog is to go on a “sniffari.” Use an eight-to-10-foot leash and let your dog sniff around a quiet part of the neighborhood. Sniffing is relaxing and takes a lot of mental energy. A front clip harness can help with being pulled by an enthusiastic sniffer.

On a sniffari, think about how much time you have instead of how far you want to go. Distance does not matter with this kind of walk. If you have 30 minutes, walk one way for 15 minutes, then turn around and head home. You can go on a sniffari anywhere: your backyard, a trail, or even in the city. Adding some simple games, like the Up Down game every so often can help your dog stay focused even when there are distractions.

Daycare 

Daycare can be a good place to send your dog when you cannot give them time or attention during the day. Puppies, for example, need play and potty breaks during the day, so daycare can help with that if you find the right place. However, daycare can sometimes be overwhelming for dogs, with too much excitement and insufficient time to rest. It can also be stressful if your dog is not used to the noise and activity of a daycare environment. When looking for a daycare, check for:

• experienced and qualified staff,
• vaccine requirements,
• cleaning protocols,
• small playgroups with lots of supervision,
• extra activities for enrichment.

Rest Time at Daycare

When it comes to rest time, think about what that looks like at daycare:

• Are dogs put in crates? If so, can your dog relax in a crate away from home?
• Are kennels used? Has your dog been in a kennel before?
• Are dogs put in a room together to relax? Can your dog calm down around other dogs?

It might sound great to have your dog play hard for hours, so they come home tired, but this kind of play can be hard on their body and brain. Too much high-energy play can lead to stress and anxiety over time. Also, it is normal for dogs to “age out” of daycare. They may enjoy it as puppies or young dogs, but as they get older, they may prefer to relax at home. At that point, hiring a midday dog walker could be a better choice.

Training and Brain Games 

Training can be a great way to exercise your dog. Like sniffing, training takes a lot of mental energy and can tire a dog out even faster than play. There are many types of training. Basic obedience is usually the first thing we think of, but there are other types that you and your dog might enjoy and benefit from. You could teach your dog a new trick, play a fun game together, or try beginner-level sports matching your dog’s breed.

If your dog still struggles with loose leash walking, try other types of training to make it fun and challenging for their brain. Dogs that have trouble relaxing at home might need less physical exercise and more mental exercise to help them settle. Getting your dog to use their brain can make it easier for them to relax and rest.

Fetch

Fetch is a fun game for both dogs and people. But the running, quick turns, and high jumps can be hard on a dog’s body, especially if fetch is played often. Some dogs also find it hard to calm down after fetch, so it might not be the best game for dogs who struggle to relax after play.

If you want to play fetch with your dog, try setting some boundaries, such as:

• Start with a relaxation game before throwing the ball. “The Off Switch Game” from Control Unleashed is a good way to teach this.
• Throw the ball in the direction your dog is facing to avoid extra twists and turns.
• Stop the game while your dog can still relax—this might mean only two or three throws before putting the ball away.
• Limit fetch to once or twice a week to give your dog’s joints time to rest.