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Is my pointer getting enough exercise?
I have a lot of questions, we have two cats and this is our first dog to have as a couple so this is new to me.
We just rescued a dog from the pound. He is a pointer and they are guessing he is 2 years old. He is not fixed yet but we are DEFIANTLY getting him fixed ASAP. He is so sweet and patient. Great with my cats, great with my toddler, great with us, and when he sees another dog or even a duck at the park he is not bothered at all. He also has yet to bark, have an accident in the house, or chew anything up. He is awesome and we love him already. He wags his tail and seems happy and loves to lay his head in our lap and just get attention inside.
I read up on his breed and have some probably silly concerns. Pointers are supposed to be a very active and needs tons of exercise. We don't have a back yard and have been taking him outside for activity's and really working hard to give him a very active lifestyle. He likes walks and of course and he likes smelling and tracking but he gets tired FAST and is not into running or really being really active We tried getting him to play tennis ball but he did not seem into it and I figure we will come up with games he likes in due time. I know it will take time for him to come to his own but he seems so happy to just be petted and cuddle in the house with us. I'm glad and this is great but I want him to be healthy and I feel like he is not excising enough. He likes to sleep and follow my son around the house.
Yesterday after dinner we took him to the park behind our house and he would only run with DH for very short bursts. It took DH a lot of coaxing to get him to run but once he did his tail was up and high. But like I said it was a short run and DH was only jogging, not fast at all. LOL, DH is a gamer not an athlete.
After a small walk he is panting and ready to go home. It is not anywhere near as much exercise as I read that his breed needs.He has two sessions of real outside walking exercise a day (one AM after breakfast and one PM after dinner). He does not really want to do more but slowly walk and not for long. How long a day would you want to exercise a breed like this? Is a very slow walk enough because I figured it was not but I follow his pace.
I also know that this is the type of breed who loves to relax with family (which he does) but also needs to use their minds. Any games (fetch etc...) to try. He does not seem to know fetch yet but was eying a Frisbee at the park so I may buy one and try it. maybe if we could find something like that it would help him be more active.
Also how many potty breaks. Besides the two walks he gets I take him out to use the bathroom first thing in the morning and before bed. I also will take him out after my sons nap in the afternoon if he acts like he needs to go. He is never had an accident so I'm assuming this is good and he rarely goes the second we get outside and so I guess he is not holding it to bad since he sniffs around a bit first.
I also need to teach him to sit and stay. But if you let go of his leash he does noyt go anywhere so I'm assuming someone trained him to do that or he just wants to stay near us. It is so hard to say with a rescue.
Re: Is my pointer getting enough exercise?
Each dog is different in their needs. While there might be some similarity based on breed there is a lot of variation. If he is happy and not being destructive/anxious/misbehaving I wouldn't worry. As for the potty schedule my guys rarely tell me they need to go out and we just go out on a schedule instead of waiting for them to tell me.
When did you adopt him? It takes a while for a dog to settle into their new home so they might not be very active or engage in play for a while. If you want some advice on fetch/toys just page me. I'm also pretty active in disc as well
If he is food motivated you can do recall games. You and your husband stand apart in the yard/field. Start fairly close with one of you holding him while the other person makes a lot of noise and gets him excited. Then clap, make a noise and start running away and reward with food when he comes to you. We play this game a lot when my little border collie needs to burn off some energy.
Good luck with him, he sounds like a doll.
Poe: Here we go once again with the "I was a wild stray..." story. Blah blah blah *eye roll*
Blog: The Misadventures of Jackson and Poe
I second setsail with you'll know if he isn't getting enough exercise. Collins is a GSP/Jack-Russell mix and oh BOY can I tell when she's got too much energy. I've lost a couple pairs of shoes and more trim in the house than I care to admit. But if I take her on an extra long walk (or have DH these days), play some epic games of fetch (she has a ball fetish) or take her to doggie daycare, she sleeps for a day or so and is happy as a clam.
It'll take time for him to get adjusted and for you to learn his cues. DH hasn't learned to tell when Collins has too much energy so when I'm gone I tend to lose a shoe or some trim (last week is a prime example). When we walk Collins we don't go fast (cuz I can't) but we let her sniff like CRAZY which helps her mental stimulation.
If he's food motivated we use a tug-a-jug and a kong wobble sometimes to do some mental activities. DH and I LOVE to play recall tag when we're alone in the dog park to practice their recall.
Ditto pp's. Our GSP is 7, & he didn't slow down till he was about 4. When he was younger (& more hyperactive), during the week he was going to the dog park for an hour each morning w/DH, & then would go for a 45min-hr long walk w/me every night (DH worked nights, I worked days). DH was also home during the day so Coop was let out once or twice a day.
Now that he's older (::sniff::) he's good w/a 20min walk in the morning & then a 30-45min walk at night after work...but if its raining or something (::cough:: like me hitting the snooze button one too many times
) he's fine. DH comes home most days @ lunch & lets him out, but DH also travels a lot, & when he's gone I leave @ 715am & don't get home till usually 515pm & Cooper is fine all that time alone. He's a little crazy when I get home, but I think he's just excited/happy to see me. When DH is OOT Cooper & I take a 20min walk in the am & a 45-hr long walk at night.
But we're very busy/active people...we're always doing something...We have a cabin in the northwoods & Coop runs around up there like a total idiot all.day.long. Swimming, or snowshoeing.....doing...stuff Lol. I couldn't even describe how he spends his time up there other then to say by the end of a wknd he's exhausted! If we stay longer than 2 days, once we get finally home he sleeps for days!! Its so awesome!
Anyway, I totally agree about giving your pooch time to adjust to you, your home, your life...& just how to be a dog outside of a shelter. It can take awhile for them to figure out who they are...esp who they are in a "real" life that they've never experienced before.
HTH! GL!!
Thanks everyone! We just got him last week so he is very new to our family. He is a fantastic dog and I think I'm a bit shocked about how easy going he is. I thought we were going to have to up our outside time but since we are outside so much anyways it looks like that is enough for him. Since he is not destructive or over hyper I will assume he is getting enough exercise and watch his ques in case they change as he gets used to us and our home.
And I will for sure try those games. We are about to take him to the park behind our house and he seems to love it there!