How can I exercise my dog in an apartment? Here’s What to Expect

Exercise ideas for an apartment dog

If you are having trouble finding ways to exercise your dog because you live in an apartment, try these ideas.

The daily walk is crucial for all dogs, especially dogs that live indoors. Firstly, they have toileting needs. Many people that live in an apartment having facilities for their dog to relieve themselves such as potty pads or a grass toilet for dogs. However, it is nice for your dog to be able to relieve themselves out in nature when possible.

Going for a walk with a dog is more than just an opportunity to burn off some energy and get physical exercise. They also receive plenty of mental stimulation from the sights, sounds, and smells they come across. In addition, there is the opportunity to meet other people and dogs giving them social enrichment. Dogs are social animals by nature and this social contact is special to them.

If possible, take your dog somewhere they can be off-leash. If your dog doesn’t have good recall you can use a long line or retractable leash. Allow your dog to explore and set the pace and general direction of the walk. This is known as decompression walking because it allows your dog to decompress and destress.

Doggie daycare has become very popular with many dog owners and their dogs. Fifteen to twenty years ago, if you told someone you were taking your dog to daycare they would have laughed. Now it is a common and good option for many dogs and owners. Doggie daycare is not necessarily a good fit for all dogs and not all dogs are suitable for doggie daycare.

Doggie daycares vary in size and what they offer. many doggie daycares are overnight dog boarding facilities that also offer daycare. The number of dogs in the daycare varies greatly depending on the facility. This can vary from 50 dogs in total up to 200 even. Some facilities are purely an indoor-only set up while others may have outdoor areas also.

Another type of doggie daycare is smaller at-home services. This is where a dog lover may cater to a small number of dogs in their own home. This type of setup can be more relaxing for an anxious dog that would be too overwhelmed in a setting with a large group of dogs.

Ultimately, doggie daycares are a business and as in any industry, there are good operators and bad operators. If you are considering doggie daycare for your dog it is important to do your research. Most doggie daycares will have a trial day or half-day to assess your dog to make sure that they and your dog are a good fit for each other. To learn more about doggie daycare as an option for your dog, see here.

Simple (and free) ideas for exercising your dog indoors

Use the stairs. If you have carpeted stairs that aren’t prone to cause slipping, they can be a useful tool. Have one person sit at the top, and someone else at the bottom. Toss a ball up and down to encourage your dog to run between you two. They’ll sleep like a baby.

Go old fashioned. Grab a toy and get interactive. Run the object in circles around yourself, play a little tug-o-war, and don’t forget to let them succeed in catching their prize for a victory chew here and there. You don’t need to get too elaborate when it comes to letting your puppy exercise indoors.

Turn the tub into a waterpark. Small-to medium-sized dogs can benefit from some tub time. While providing constant supervision, add a good bit of water, so that pups can really move those legs and arms. However, you could just make a splash zone by tossing lots of toys and adding a few inches of water. If your dog is scared of water, encourage the experience by tossing in some floatable treats.

Make an obstacle course. It doesn’t take much space to make a course full of intriguing obstacles. Use boxes, clothing bins, and furniture to craft a weaving path filled with not so easy to get treats. Dogs will love jumping over the various items to eventually sniff out something tasty.

Hide and seek. Sometimes it takes a bit of practice to get this game down, but soon your dog will grow to love the exciting hunting game, looking for the one they love most. Keep hiding spots simple at first, so they don’t become discouraged.

Location, location, location. Look for a dog park in your area or schedule a playdate with a friend’s dog at their house (if they have a great yard). Maybe you don’t have a fenced-in yard, but do have great neighborhood streets. So invest in a solid leash, and start walking!

Bubbles! Our absolute favorite idea came from the Go Pet-Friendly blog—it was just too good not to list. Dogs typically love leaping into the air to catch things, like bubbles! Always be sure to use natural, non-toxic solutions to make your bubbles. Be sure to encourage just popping, not eating them.

Take a walk in the woods or the park, and get some needed exercise yourself. It won’t be long before you are both ready for a nap!

If your dog’s recall skills are up to speed, an off-leash exercise can be the quickest and easiest way to tire him out. Living in the city can make this difficult, but if you have access to a vehicle or transit, or are close to a park or forest, letting your dog run freely for 20-30 minutes will surely slow him down.

Bring your dog’s favorite toy or stick, and spend 20-30 minutes tossing and retrieving. Depending on your dog’s energy level, he may last less or more time.

Fetch is a great game that is easy to teach and is guaranteed to have your dog panting within minutes.

Swimming for dogs is a full body workout that can’t be beat! The combination of water resistance, muscle movements, and pure physical exertion can exhaust even the highest energy dogs. Swimming against a current makes this workout even more effective. If you have access to a slow moving river or stream, that is the best place to exercise your dog.

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