When your young dog was a small puppy, it probably wasn’t too hard to keep them active. You could unleash them in a room of toys and watch them bound around excitedly. Now that you have an older puppy or young dog, you may be wondering how to keep your older puppy active. Given the tendency of adult dogs to be overweight, you definitely don’t want your dog to become too lazy.
The following are tips for how to keep a puppy active as they grow into an adult.
Use puzzle feeders
Puzzle feeders require your older puppy or young dog to work for their food or treats. Some of these puzzle toys, such as treat-dispensing balls, require your pet to move the object to get the reward. Building physical activity into your pet’s feeding routine is certainly one way to make them be more active! The other plus to puzzle feeders is that they’re a great form of mental enrichment.
Switch up your puppy’s toys
Your older puppy may have a favorite toy that they never seem to get bored with, but they likely have a pile of other toys that they mostly ignore. You can rotate which toys are available to encourage your puppy to interact with the toys more regularly.
Incorporate daily walks into your routine
Daily walks are good both for you and your young dog. Your dog will also have the opportunity to see and sniff so many things that they’re not regularly exposed to in the home or yard. Remember that one walk per day is better than nothing. Short daily walks are also better for your dog than one really long weekend walk.
Play tug-of-war or fetch
Choose active games with your dog! A lot of young adult dogs will continue to enjoy tug-of-war and fetch, especially if they’re receiving yummy rewards during the game. Make sure to let your dog win sometimes so they don’t get frustrated.
Try a training class
There are fun training classes, like agility or dock diving, that can get your dog up and moving. If you’re thinking about participating in a high-intensity class, it’s a good idea to get the activity approved by your veterinarian. Dogs with certain orthopedic conditions or other health issues may not do well in these courses.
