Why have your pup in Doggie Daycare?

The following tip has been adapted from the article, The Many Benefits of Exercise and Play from Your Dog newsletter (published by Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine):

Daily exercise sessions can greatly benefit your dog.

Exercise needs vary depending on the breed, age and individual traits of the dog. But it’s a good idea to play catch, Frisbee or other games, and exercise your dog for at least 30-minutes each day.

• Sufficient exercise helps reduce or eliminate common behaviors such as digging, excessive barking, chewing and hyperactivity. Dogs need physical and mental stimulation each day.
• Exercise helps prevent boredom and channels the dog’s energy in a productive, acceptable direction.
• Exercise helps keep pets healthy, agile and limber.
• It reduces the incidence of digestive problems and constipation.
• It helps prevent depression.
• It’s a good way to help a timid or fearful dog build confidence and trust.
• Exercise promotes healthy rest. A well-exercised dog will be sleepy instead of restless when it’s time to relax or go to bed.
• And exercise is key to weight control.

It gives a dog the chance to just be a dog. In many ways, especially around the house, we expect dogs to be like little people, and to behave accordingly. But sometimes it’s good to let them cut loose and go a little crazy. They need to sniff, run, roll around, bark, wrestle, be silly, and do the things that dogs do.

It relieves feelings of guilt. Seeing your dog lay around the house all day with nothing to do makes a lot of people feel guilty. And it should! Giving your dog an hour of real mental stimulation and exercise, not just a walk around the block, can do wonders for those feelings.