Monday, March 25, 2024
HomeNewsHow Much Exercise Do German Shepherds Need

How Much Exercise Do German Shepherds Need

Can Your German Shepherd Exercise By Themself

How much exercise does a German Shepherd need

Some dogs may exercise intermittently if they have other dogs to play with. Generally, though, no dogs will exercise by themselves because they want company and someone to play with.

If you dont exercise your German Shepherd, they will be prone to plenty of destructive behavior. Worse, their physical and mental condition will decline drastically.

They will probably age quicker and can become aggressive.

You will want to avoid the negative outcomes of relying on your German Shepherd to exercise itself.

If you try to get away with inactivity-both you and your pet will suffer the consequences of poor behavior and an increase in vets bills as the dog ages.

You may even find yourself at the receiving end of legal bills should your pet escape its confines and attack someone.

Please do not rely on your German Shepherd to exercise itself. If you cannot provide your pet with the physical activity it needs to remain healthyconsider finding a new home for it.

Things To Watch Out For

There are several things to watch out for when it comes to running long distance with a German Shepherd, and not all of them have to do with the dog itself. Below are some of these things to be aware of.

Signs of Overexertion

There are signals to look for that can indicate a problem with overexertion. Some of these are your dog missing cues and commands, excessive panting or heavy breathing, extreme thirst, lagging behind, and a reluctance to run.

German Shepherds are also at risk for various muscle and joint injuries. If you are being careful and not pushing your dog too hard, this can help lessen the risk of injury, but it can still happen. Hip dysplasia is one of the more common injuries for German Shepherds, which is where the hip socket gets loose and causes damage.

Signs of hip dysplasia are limping or hooping, favoring one leg, hesitating when exercising or going up stairs, difficulty standing, and sensitivity or even aggression around the hip.

Typically this will develop if not taken care of in puppy-hood, but even adult dogs need to be careful. Developing safe running habits, with breaks and by being careful can go a long way in preventing this from occurring.

The Terrain

The Weather

German Shepherds are double-coated dogs. This means that they have two layers of fur that helps protect them and keep them insulated in the winter, but can make them prone to overheating in the summer.

How To Keep German Shepherds Stimulated That Live In Small Spaces

The biggest problem for keeping a German Shepherd in a small home or apartment is stimulation, whether physical or mental. There is no doubt, you will have to do extra work to make it work. Luckily, I have some new ideas for you to try

To keep German Shepherds stimulated that live in small spaces or apartments, there are other useful events such as barn hunts and Schutzhundthat are gaining in popularity. These allow your dog to explore more of the outdoors after being indoors for a while and are great for both mental and physical stimulation.

Barn hunts are an organized sport that utilizes a dogs natural abilities and turns them into a fun game. First, a maze and obstacle course is built out of hay bales. Aerated tubes are hidden through the maze, and pet rats are placed in the tubes. By all accounts, the rats are safe from the dogs, and the aim is for the dogs to find the rats.

There are timed events with different divisions, and even special needs dogs can often find an event to compete in. This is a wonderful activity that will stimulate your German Shepherd, no matter how little space he lives in. The Barn Hunt Association has details of upcoming events and states the following:

Barn Hunt provides their first true opportunity for responsible breeders to test proper working traits in their dogs. Barn Hunt is also open to any dog of any breed or mix who wishes to play the game and can fit through an 18 wide by bale-height tall tunnel.

Also Check: What Age Can A German Shepherd Get Pregnant

Include Doggy Squats For Healthy Hips

Have you heard of doggie squats for exercise?

Dog squats help build strength in the large leg muscles.

They also can help an aging Shepherd maintain their strength to keep them more mobile and prevent hip issues later in life. And in younger Shepherds that help give your dog the power to take on physical challenges.

Dog squats are like human squats.

How to do Doggy Squats with your German Shepherd

  • Have your dog follow your sit command.
  • Then, have them stand.
  • Use treats to entice them to keep repeating the action.
  • After two weeks, increase the reps in healthy dogs .
  • Have your dog start with 2 sets of 5 squats and add on more squats gradually from there.

Practice doggy squats in different areas so your dog doesnt get bored with the training. Use a variety of tasty treats to keep them interested and motivated.

Caring For Your German Shepherd

How Much Exercise Does A German Shepherd Need?

German Shepherds are fantastic dogs and its easy to see why they are such a popular breed. However their size and strength means they arent suited to all families and need a lot of space to burn off their energy. Youll need to make sure you have a lot of time to spend with these dogs and you are committed to providing for their exercise needs every day.

Don’t Miss: Shepherd Beagle Mix Info

Mental Stimulation And Enrichment

All dogs need an outlet for their minds. If they are not provided the opportunity to challenge their minds they will come up with their own ways to achieve this. This usually manifests itself in bad behavior such as excessive barking, digging, escaping and other destructive behaviors. Read Mental stimulation and mind enrichment for dogs to learn about the 6 types or categories of mind stimulation a mental enrichment and some great ideas to provide this.

Some ways to provide mental stimulation and enrichment include

Do German Shepherds Get Tired Quickly

Possible reasons can include being too hot, illness, boredom, a poor diet or its age. Its important to consider that dogs will naturally sleep for over 12-14 hours each day. The best way for you to be certain why your German Shepherd is always tired would be to consult with a vet.

Recommended Reading: Why Are German Shepherds Police Dogs

How Old Is The Longest Living German Shepherd

The longest living German Shepherds are recorded as having survived to 18 years old, and perhaps even older. There are lots of ways German Shepherd Dog owners can add years to their dogs life through proper diet, exercise and veterinary care. The short answer to the question, How long do German Shepherd Dogs live? is 11 years.

Laws Regarding Missing Pets

HOW MUCH EXERCISE DOES A GERMAN SHEPHERD NEED?

1. It is against the law to keep any animal that you find.2. Pets are generally considered property and it is illegal to take and keep someone elseâs property.3. You must call your local animal control unit and file a FOUND AN ANIMAL report for any dog or cat you find.4. To reclaim your lost dog, cat or other pet from the animal shelter you must pay a release fee.5. If your dog or cat is unregistered, you will have to register your pet before you can take it home.

Don’t Miss: House Training German Shepherd Puppy

Training: How To Train A German Shepherd

Theres a reason German Shepherds are used by the police and its not just their loyalty. They make excellent rescue and tracking dogs because theyre highly intelligent and respond well to mental stimulation and training.

German Shepherds are often happiest when they know whats expected of them with clear boundaries and a routine thats ever-changing and fun, you should find your German Shepherd a delight to train. If youre looking for a breed thatll perform well in agility classes, a German Shepherd may be just the one.

That said, if youre happy to provide the minimum training required but dont like the idea of regular games and exercise, its probably best that you consider a different breed.

Daily German Shepherd Exercise Routines

A daily German Shepherd exercise routine is a must for your high-energy breed!

But theres more to exercise than just keeping your dog moving. A daily exercise routine not only keeps them fit and healthy but also helps give them better behavior

And you know how important it is to have a well-mannered dog!

This guide has everything you need to start and keep your dog on the right track for a healthy life.

Recommended Reading: Who Would Win In A Fight German Shepherd Or Pitbull

Vets Claim That Every Dog And Especially Larger Breeds Like The German Shepherd Require Numerous Little Strolls Spread Out Throughout The Day

This is essential for their development and growth. These can even be 10-minute walks in circles in the back yard. The matter of fact is that dogs need to exercise their joints and muscles in order to stay healthy, let alone fit.

Many fitness coaches say, that exercising with a friend is a better way to get great results. So, if youve got a dog theres really no better way to get going!

How Much Exercise Does A Senior German Shepherd Need

How Much Exercise Does A German Shepherd Need? ~ DogPerDay ...

As your German Shepherd ages, they wont need as much exercise as they once did. Its important to monitor how much they are getting and to make sure they arent overdoing it.

If you use the PitPat app, well set an age appropriate exercise goal for your dog that decreases as they age. You can also set your own goals manually in case they have higher or lower exercise needs.

Recommended Reading: German Shepherd Puppy Ears Stand Up

Can Your Gsd Exercise Alone & How Do I Do That

Your GSD can learn to exercise alone provided youve socialized him or her properly and given them enough things to otherwise keep busy. Providing your dog with plenty of toys and both mental and physical challenges will encourage them to exercise and burn off energy even when youre not around.

Start by training your dog with something like a flirt pole, so that they learn how to run back and forth by themselves. Depending on how agile your dog is, you might consider putting together an obstacle course or other kind of structured designated play area.

Over time, you may even be able to train your dog to work through a regular exercise routine the way that the German Shepherd Man did:

If you have more than one dog, then you could teach them to play keep away with one another by having them share a toy. While you shouldnt ever get another dog just to keep your first one company, this can be a great way to have them exercise alone if you already have a couple of GSDs.

Playing A Frisbee Game Can Be An Excellent Workout

Frisbee is an extra fun activity for dogs because they love it.You can do it in the park you jog in.

Here is a guide on how to get started this game with your GSD.

  • BUY 2 dogs discs because human frisbee are different and they can injure your Dog because it will catch them with his mouth.
  • There are two types of discs . These are available at most of pets stores.
  • Let your Dog get excited about the disc by playing gently with the disc and let the Dog always win.
  • To begin, Start with throwing the frisbee slow to let your Dog understand how to catch it.
  • It may take 50 to 100 times before your Dog starts to grab it in the air.
  • After sometimes when your Dog will understand how to catch the disc in the air, he will not let the disc touch the ground and will catch it in the air and this is the moment you were waiting for.

Now you have another exercise to do with your Dog and have fun.

Also Check: Is A Belgian Malinois A German Shepherd

Exercise For An Older Gsd

German Shepherd becomes less active and comparatively slow as it grows older. It is still important for it to maintain energy and mobility and manage its weight.

Exercise for an older dog must be limited as these dogs may develop arthritis and over-exercising makes them tired. Finally, a German Shepherd needs at least 30-45 minutes of exercise to keep up their high energy levels and strong stamina.

  • Tags

Hill Running With Your German Shepherd

How much Exercise does My German Shepherd Need

Begin by exploring hill running only 2 times a week with plenty of rest in between hill runs to recover. Only use gently sloping hills and check the hills arent slippery with water, snow, ice, or pebbles and rocks.

You can gradually increase their routine to 3 to 4 times a week with longer sprints to keep their hearts in tip-top shape.

Recommended Reading: How To Get A German Shepherd’s Ears Up

Running Biking Or Skating With Your Dog

The faster your dog is moving the more energy they will release. Try running, biking or skating with your dog to really get them moving. As the German Shepherd has good levels of stamina and can go for long distances, they can make great running partners. Just be sure to build up the distance and intensity of the activity over time to prevent causing injury to your dog. Read Running with your dog for more on this.

How To Exercise Your German Shepherd Other Than Walking

Aside from walking, there are many other ways to exercise your German Shepherd:

  • Let your GSD pull you.

A great way to exercise your GSD is to have him pull you along on something. Maybe you can have your dog pull you along on a bike or skateboard which is an efficient way of exercising your pet. Just be sure to ditch the collar and let your dog wear his harness instead.

  • Play fetch with your pet.

Another way of getting your GSD to do lots of running within a short period of time is playing fetch. Fetch is the best and easiest way of wearing out your dog really fast. He will have to do plenty of sprints with almost no rest in between. This will also help strengthen the relationship you have with your pet. It will get your dog used to working with you side by side. It will also make your dog used to responding to you. You might find it hard to teach your GSD to play fetch initially yet the rewards will all be worth it.

  • Start some puzzle games.

One more way to wear out your German Shepherd mentally is getting him to play with some puzzle toys. Most of the toys you can buy have been designed in such a way that they will make your GSD figure out how he can get to his treats inside. You might want to get one that is somewhat more challenging. Getting something too easy might not really wear out your dog at all.

  • Go swimming.
  • Give him toys that will wear him out.
  • Training can do the trick.
  • Play tug of war.

You May Like: Are German Shepherds Easy To Potty Train

German Shepherd Exercise Routine

The German Shepherd is energetic, strong and has bucket loads of stamina. Ideally, you need to find activities that can burn energy in a short period of time and use these skills. This can include high-intensity games and strength training is recommended to keep their muscles in peak condition. By keeping the muscles strong they will support the joints and tendons preventing injury.

Providing the right type of toys for German Shepherd is also a great way to provide exercise and mental stimulation for them. For the best type of toys for German Shepherds see here.

These are some of the recommended activities and exercise ideas to play with your German Shepherd.

How Much Exercise Does Your German Shepherd Need

How much exercise German Shepherds need

German Shepherds are active dogs that will require a great deal of exercise. Just as humans, they need to do physical activity and cognitive work to stay healthy and happy. Thus, if you have a GSD or consider adopting one, its essential to know how much exercise such an energetic dog breed needs!

Most German Shepherds should ideally get at least 2 hours of exercise per day. It should include daily walks , purposeful activity , and mental stimulation . To figure out how much exercise your dog needs, you also have to consider his age, health, and energy level.

Bred to perform multiple tasks and work with humans all day long, the GSD is an excellent companion for active people. With proper conditioning, training, and preparation, this energetic breed can be the ultimate partner for running, hiking, and other sports.

However, there are many things you should know to exercise your German Shepherd properly.

Also Check: Underweight German Shepherd

Last Thoughts About How Much Exercise Does Your German Shepherd Need

Finally, anywhere between 1 and 2 hours of walking, purposeful activity, and mental stimulation per day is ideal to keep your dog in good shape.

This general guideline relates to a healthy adult German Shepherd. Each dog will have different exercise requirements according to his age, physical conditions, and energy level.

I hope my article has helped you to find out what your GSD needs to stay healthy and happy. Now its time for you to unleash him, go out there, and spend your energy together.

Good Workout & Dont Forget To Have Fun!

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular