Exercise is an essential element in your puppy's development, both physically and mentally. While it is important to monitor your dog's dietary habits and provide the proper medical attention, it is equally imperative to provide your dog with adequate exercise.
This is especially important if your dog is confined during the day, while you are at work or school. An allotted time should be set aside each day for exercise. Your puppy can be taken outdoors for exercise after meals; a housebroken dog will be accustomed to this arrangement and can gain some exercise time while taking care of his "business."
If you choose to leash train your puppy, familiarize your puppy with a collar or harness and leash as soon as possible. You might even allow your puppy to wear the collar a few days before attaching the leash. If you take your puppy on a long walk through the park or playground, keep it on the leash; the leash should be long enough to allow your dog sufficient room to run and jump. Also, make sure that your puppy is wearing a tag or collar which identifies its name and address in case it were to become separated from you.
Always allow your puppy some warm-up time before engaging in heavy play. Since most puppies are enthusiastic about exercise, you should provide ample time for activity and exertion. This enables a dog to look its best by staying in shape, and is a great form of stress or tension release.
