Exercise

[hide98]

At our SPCA, there are 5 BC/GSD mix puppies, and my family has decided to get a dog, I am just wondering if I would be able to give the dog enough exercise as I know both of these breeds need a fair amount of exercise. I am willing to walk/jog for 30-45 minutes in the morning with it and it would be home from 8-12:30ish, and I would come home check on it and play for about 15-30 minutes. It would then be home from 1:20-3:20ish, when I would come home. I would play/train for all together 1-2 hours each evening and go for another 30-45 minute walk, would this be an adequate amount of exercise for this kind of dog? Thank you!

 

[jess2416]

It seems so as long as you give as much mental stimulation as well as physical stimulation

but someone more experienced might be able to give you a better idea

 

[hide98]

Thanks!
Does anybody have any good mental exercises, Kongs of course, and fetch and hiding things, any other ones, any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Red_ACD_for_me]

Being the owner of a herding breed they can be great athletes as far as frisbee and ball games. My Caiza would fetch a ball all day if someone kept throwing it. It sounds to me that you make a wonderful owner for this mix and kudos for you adopting one

 

[tessa_s212]

Thanks!
Does anybody have any good mental exercises, Kongs of course, and fetch and hiding things, any other ones, any help is greatly appreciated!

Quite simply: a job. They need a job. And many owners lean towards dog sports such as agility, obedience, flyball, disc dog, dock diving, etc etc. But if you are not interested in such sports, mental stimulation is still very necessary for these types of dogs, as well as physical activity. Your best bet is to find a place where your new dog could be let offleash for long play sessions where he could really stretch his legs. (But of course, training must come before play. Can' t have a dog offleash if it doesn't have a reliable recall.)

 

[milos_mommy]

it sounds like you definately can provide enough physical exercise, but mental stimulation is VERY important, especially with such intelligent herding breeds, but it seems like you surely have enough time for that.

check out the dog sports section for ideas on different dog sports.

 

[hide98]

We have a gorgeous huge dogpark where barely anyone goes, the only problem is it's kind of out of town, and I could probably only take my dog there on weekends as I am only 15 and can't drive. I'm interested in "disc dog" but I doubt there are any competitive leagues around here. Thank you all for your answers.

P.S. I might be getting my dog this weekend.

 

[bialinger]

Might I suggest dog scootering? It's fun and exercises them really well, physically and mentally. It gives them a "job" and they have to learn commands and listen to you, which stimulates them and increases your bond.

www.dogscooter.com Check it out!