It’s no secret that every dog needs regular exercise. Physical activity is important for us humans and our pets — moving our bodies improves strength, coordination, cardiovascular health, and even mental focus over time! If you’re looking to change up your dog’s daily exercise routine, we’ve got you covered.
Here are some of the best ways to exercise your dog both in the comfort of your own home and out in the surrounding world. Get out their excess energy and have some fun together!
There are many reasons you might not be able to get out and about with your dog. Maybe you’re working through leash reactivity, so walks at busy times just aren’t possible. Maybe you’re dealing with inclement weather or a particularly cold stretch of winter days. Maybe you’re injured or simply in a crunch for time. Whatever the reason, don’t worry — there are countless ways to make sure your dog gets enough exercise even without leaving your house!
Let’s take a look at some of our favorite at-home or “do anywhere” canine indoor exercise activities.
One of the best things about fun games like tug-of-war? They can be played in small spaces! Depending on the size of your dog, even most apartments have enough floor space for you to engage in casual indoor games where you compete for possession of a favorite toy.
If you’ve ever heard that tug will cause aggression in your dog, don’t worry. That’s a myth. Letting your pup engage in their natural canine instincts is actually great for both of you in the long run — and it can even deepen your bond. To make sure the game stays safe, keep a few quick tips in mind:
Hide and seek is especially great light physical exercise for rainy days. It's many dogs' favorite game. Here’s how to play:
A food search is essentially the hide and seek brain game we talked about above, but instead of hiding yourself or a toy, you hide part of your dog’s meal or some favorite treats. This is a super simple nose work game. Bonus if the food is smelly, so it’s easier for them to find at first.
Many pet companies sell puzzle toys specifically designed to provide mental and physical enrichment for your dog. You can take a look at our top enrichment toy picks in this article! These are great for moderate exercise.
You can also create DIY puzzle toys with objects you already have around the house. Consider hiding treats in a series of cardboard boxes, or setting up couch cushions to add an extra challenge to your hide and seek games. (More on indoor obstacle courses next.)
You’d be surprised at how many ways you can configure your living room to give your dog some novel exercise. Get creative and set up your own indoor agility course! Use things like coffee tables, couch cushions, and chairs to create a path for your dog to follow. Bonus if you have a hula hoop or other fun exercise equipment on hand. Guide your dog through the course with their favorite treats or toys, and encourage them with lots of praise when they conquer a new obstacle.
Then reconfigure your setup for a new twist!
If you have a staircase at home, you can give your dog some quick cardio and strength-building exercise by having them walk up and down it. You can do this in multiple fun ways:
You can also teach your dog to walk on a treadmill if you have one. Make sure to take the process slowly and ensure they're completely comfortable with it. A professional trainer will be able to guide you!
Note: Before starting any canine conditioning, it’s important to get in touch with your vet. A full physical exam will make sure your dog is ready for more intense exercise. Remember that stair work can use up a lot of your pup's energy.
Many obedience and “for fun” trick behaviors work your dog’s body along with their brain. Here are a few favorites to get some gentle exercise in!
If you are able to get out of the house, here are some go-to ways to exercise your dog in the great big world around us.
There’s a reason “taking the dog for a walk” is a classic daily activity! Neighborhood or park excursions give your pup the opportunity to stretch their legs, explore new scents, and be exposed to common stimuli. For the best exercise, go at your dog’s own pace and let them choose the path if it’s safe. This way they can sniff to their heart’s content!
You can also consider upping the ante by going for a hike on rougher terrain. Make sure your dog is prepared ahead of time — work up to more intense activity slowly so that you don’t cause injury or excess muscle fatigue.
And if you’re a runner yourself, most dogs will be happy to tag along! Keep in mind that your dog’s legs are shorter than yours and adjust your pace accordingly. Like all exercise, it’s important to keep tabs on your dog’s physical condition. Never force them to keep running if they want to slow down or stop (and remember that you’ll want to refine their loose-leash walk training ahead of time so you don’t get tripped).
Fetch might be the most quintessential dog game. It’s a great cooperative activity for you and your pup to enjoy together! You can switch up the repetitive “bring the toy immediately back” routine in a few fun ways:
Many dogs also love to swim. It’s a particularly great form of exercise for pets who are overweight, aging, or have medical conditions that make high-impact activities difficult.
Before taking your dog into the water:
Want to take your dog’s exercise regimen even further? Consider participating in organized dog sports! Activities like agility, rally, and even obedience competitions can provide great physical and mental stimulation for your pup.
You can look for a local training facility to try out a few classes or reach out to a professional who offers virtual sessions to get started.
A private dog park, like one of the thousands in Sniffspot's network of listings, can be a great place to safely exercise your dog. You'll have the entire area all to yourselves! Some Sniffspot hosts even provide amenities like agility equipment, maintained trails, durable toys, and more.
Before embarking on a new physical activity with your dog, there are a few things you should think about ahead of time. You can read more specifics in our dog exercise calculator (how much exercise your individual pup needs) and our comprehensive guide to canine exercise (an overview of everything you need to know).
Here’s the high level:
There is so much misinformation out there, we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community. We have all of our articles reviewed by qualified, positive-only trainers.
This is the trainer that reviewed this article:
Kelly Hayden, CBCC-KA
Owner & Lead Trainer - Ardent Dog - Certified Separation Anxiety Professional Trainer
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either his own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle (or worse, get bored of) them in just a few days?
You’ve been told that your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to stretch their legs, experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and spend time with you! Consistent physical activity will also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dog breeds have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being dangerous. Rottweilers are among them — as a large working breed, they’re often thought of as aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
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