For many of us, booking a holiday in the UK means exploring the great outdoors with our pooches – whether that is hiking up Snowdonia, enjoying long walks on sandy beaches, or enjoying a dip in the country’s most beautiful lakes.
And, whilst your dog will no doubt love all the attention and exercise they get on their staycation, it might be considerably more than they are used to. Therefore, it is really important you are aware of how much exercise is safe for your dog, as well as things to consider before you head out together, and signs to look out for, to know when your dog is struggling.
We have teamed up with Dr Emma Scales-Theobold, PhD Veterinary Medicine and Science, to answer all of your burning questions; and if you are wondering what dog-friendly workouts you and your pooch can enjoy together, then we can help with that, too! These tips easily apply to exercising with your canine companion while staying in one of our dog-friendly holiday cottages. Paw through our full range by clicking the button below.
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How much exercise does a dog need?
Dr Emma says the amount of exercise your dog needs depends on a range of factors, including their age, weight, breed, and stamina, as well as the weather on that particular day, and the type of exercise you plan on doing together.
Dogs typically enjoy around 30 minutes to an hour of exercise a day, but if your dog has a high stamina, they could exercise for much longer, such as going on a hike. At the other end of the spectrum, if your pooch is elderly, injured, or it is a particularly hot day, you should not exercise them for as long.
If you are still questioning how much exercise your dog needs, then you also need to consider their size. Small and toy dogs will not be able to do as much as larger dogs due to their little legs. However, if you have a larger dog, you might want them to do more strenuous exercise – such as several intense rounds of fetch – to tire them out quicker.
If you have a puppy, it is important to know that their joints are still developing, and their growth plates have not closed yet, so you need to be very careful when it comes to exercising with them until they are at least a year old. However, you could carry them around with you so they can get the mental stimulation of exercise, without the stress on their joints.
The same goes for pooches over the age of eight, as they are more likely to be at risk of joint issues such as osteoarthritis and other degenerative conditions, which makes their risk of injury higher.
Things to consider before exercising with your dog
If you are ready to take your dog out for a run or long hike, there are a couple of things to take into consideration, which Emma has explained below.
Training commands
Having your dog understand basic commands before exercising will make it safer and more fun for you both. Teaching your dog good recall will be hugely beneficial, as it will give you the confidence to know that if your dog accidentally gets loose, they will return to you; and it also means you could consider letting your dog off their lead for some of the exercises.
Making sure your dog can walk well at the heel will help with running exercises and is particularly important for medium and large-sized dogs, as they could potentially bowl you over if they decide to bolt – especially if you use a running lead, which attaches around your waist. Similarly, training your dog to walk at heel next to an object such as a bike, means you can go cycling with them, and know they will stay close without cutting in front of you.
Weather conditions
Exercising in hot weather can be particularly dangerous for dogs – especially if they are elderly, overweight, have long or thick fur, or are short-muzzled (brachycephalic), as they will struggle with cooling down.
You should also take precautions when exercising with your dog in cold, icy, or snowy conditions, as either one of you could trip and injure yourselves. Wet conditions may also make the ground slippery or cause low visibility; and if there are strong winds we would not recommend exercising with your dog, as they might not be able to hear key commands, which could put both of you in danger.
How long after exercise can a dog eat?
This is another key question many dog owners ask, and again, it depends on a couple of factors: namely what your dog prefers, as well as the exercise he or she will be doing.
If you are exercising together in the morning, giving them breakfast can equip them with the energy they need – just make sure you feed them at least 30 minutes before you head out, to reduce the risk of them being sick. If your dog’s breed is prone to bloating, then we would recommend at least two hours before allowing your dog to exercise after eating.
The benefit of feeding your dog after exercising is that it can help to build up their appetite – particularly helpful if your pooch is known to be a fussy eater! However, if they eat too quickly, they could bloat, so if you are going to feed them after, wait until at least an hour after they have played, to give their body a chance to settle.
Giving your dog their food in a puzzle feeder can encourage them to eat slower, whilst still giving them the nutrients they need.
Can you over-exercise a dog? Symptoms of injuries to look out for
As Dr Emma highlights, dogs are good at hiding pain and discomfort, particularly if they are having fun; so, it may not be initially easy to spot if they are feeling tired or achy. That is why it is extremely important you know the signs to look out for: are they slowing down, or panting excessively? If so, it means they are tired. You should also monitor their recovery time after exercising, to see if it is taking them longer than usual.
Over-exercising your dog can put undue stress and strain on their joints and muscles, which puts them at risk of gaining an acute injury, or long-term joint issues. Over-exercising can also cause back injuries, respiratory, and cardiovascular problems, and is particularly dangerous for elderly, overweight, and short-muzzled dogs.
Sit, stay and lie down in a holiday cottage
So, now you know how to exercise with your dog safely while on holiday, why not try these exercises with you pup pal? They can easily be done at home or in your holiday cottage before heading out into the big wide world.
Why not browse our range of dog-friendly accommodation, so you can enjoy spending quality time together? From dog-friendly cottages in Penzance to pet-approved properties in the Highlands, wherever you want to staycation, we've got you covered!
Emma Scales-Theobald PhD MSc
A canine behaviour and nutrition consultant who provides regular expert advice to Canine Cottages on the subjects of canine health and behaviour. She holds a PhD in Veterinary Medicine and Science from the University of Surrey, as well as an MSc in Animal Behaviour from the University of Exeter.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.