Aussies thrive on plenty of healthy exercise, and it's fun too!

 

Here is a little bit about how to safely and sensibly exercise your Aussie. This is a breed that does tend to need regular exercise, though some Aussies are considerably more active than others.  It may depend on your dog's age and bloodlines, but most will require some daily activity.  This can be a sniff walk for older dogs, but for younger or more active ones, a good hard run is called for.   With mine, I like to give them time each day to run in a huge fenced area.  We have a 2 acre fenced back yard so all mine have to do is walk out the back door.   They aren't on hard surfaces like asphalt or pavement, and they can stop and go as they choose.  We may play fetch with their favorite ball toy or I may sit back and let them race around with their dog friends.  I tend to avoid dog parks for the risk of unpleasant interactions with other dogs  (as well as the disease factor) but I also am blessed to have a circle of friends with dogs mine can play with, as well as plenty of room at home. 

  

Besides traditional stock work for which Aussies were bred, other things you can do to exercise your Aussie include training games such as hide and seek, agility training, frisbee, biking or jogging with your dog.  Be careful NOT to do any real jumping or hard running until the dog it at LEAST a year old. This includes some of the agility obstacles, jumping for ball or frisbee, biking or jogging especially on hard surfaces, and other similar activities. You can do running on grass but start slow with a pup or young dog, or even an out of shape dog.   In warm or hot weather, it's best to exercise early in the morning or later in the evening.  Carry water and watch your dog for signs of distress.  When in doubt stop or don't even go, if it's very hot and humid.  Many Aussies are so eager to please they will over do it.  This can be true even with a dog playing alone with a ball toy, as they like to "herd" them and may not stop in time.    I let my dogs play with these toys but only when I am supervising, just in case. 

 

 

Even doing obedience or trick training is a form of exercising as the dog is using it's brain. That can be as tiring as physical work, and it's also rewarding for both dog and human as it helps foster a good bond.  Please consider using positive methods over old style "yank 'em around on a choke chain" methods.  Your dog will learn better for it, and you will feel better about training.

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In the end, finding activities you and your dog enjoy will be a big part of the joy you share in each others' company.  Just keep it fun and free choice with growing dogs especially.