Difference between mental and physical exercise for puppies; 

Physical exercise for dogs involves bodily activity like walking or running. This is what most people think of when exercise is mentioned. Mental exercise on the other hand, engages their brain through activities like problem-solving puzzles, training commands, or hide-and-seek, essentially challenging their cognitive abilities rather than their muscles. Both types of exercise are crucial for a dog's overall wellbeing and should be incorporated into their routine. 

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Key points about physical exercise for dogs:

• Focuses on movement: Activities like walking, running, swimming, playing fetch, or agility courses that use their muscles and increase their heart rate. 

• Benefits: Improves joint health, muscle strength, stamina, and can help maintain a healthy weight. 

Key points about mental exercise for dogs:

• Focuses on brain stimulation: Activities like learning new tricks, playing puzzle games with hidden treats, interactive toys, or scent work that require problem-solving and concentration.

• Benefits: Enhances cognitive function, reduces boredom-related behaviors, improves focus, and can help with anxiety management. 

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Rule of Thumb for physical exercise with puppies; 

Veterinary researchers recommend that puppies can go for walks for about five minutes multiplied by every month of their age, once or  twice a day, depending on speed of walk and how much time you have available. The best surfaces are flat ground, grass, and packed sand to give traction. The best time to take your puppy or adult dog for a walk is at least an hour after a meal. The time to digest food is crucial to absorbing the vitamins and nutrients in the meal and avoiding bloat and twisted stomach. ​​​

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When can your puppy join you for runs and longer hikes?

Hold off on jogging or running with your puppy on a leash until it’s mature. For large breeds that is around 12 to 18 months. A puppy’s growing bones and ligaments need to mature and develop correctly without too much strain being put on them. The soft plates on bones need time to harden. Too much sustained vigorous exercise before this age may lead to musculoskeletal malformations later on, especially if you’re constantly running on hard surfaces, such as sidewalks or blacktops. If you do choose to take your puppy along on a run, remember to start slowly and build up their tolerance to physical activity over time. ​​

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