Typical Exercises for a Pitbull

If you are a self-proclaimed couch potato, a pit bull may not be the pet for you. These dogs are energetic and require vigorous exercise on a daily basis to stay physically and mentally healthy. Pit bulls love to be part of the action and are ideal pets for people who want an exercise companion. As with humans, pit bulls should be conditioned, but if they are healthy they can tolerate and enjoy vigorous forms of exercise.

  1. Leashed Activities

    • Give your pit bull a chance to get out of the house every day. Like other energetic dog breeds, pit bulls benefit from daily walks in more ways than one. Walks provide a change in environment that can stimulate your pit bull mentally while it gets the exercise it needs to burn off extra energy. If you enjoy hiking, take your pit bull along. It will enjoy the new experience and the quality time with you. You can also take your pit bull jogging. Start with shorter distances and work your way up. As your pit bull builds endurance, jogging can help you both get physical exercise and burn excess energy.

    Games

    • A 15-minute game of Frisbee or tug-of-war can also help your pit bull get exercise every day. Not only are these games physically demanding, they give your pit bull an outlet for its instinct to chase, chew and shake. When pit bulls get bored, they will find a way to entertain themselves, which can include chasing your cat around the house, chewing on your furniture or shaking the stuffing out of your pillows. Structured play time is good for bonding, physical exercise and mental stimulation that will prevent your pit bull from developing destructive habits.

    Training

    • Training can provide both physical and mental exercise. Learning new tricks will keep your pit bull's mind sharp while reinforcing any basic obedience commands it already knows. You can enroll your pit bull in canine sports, which will provide a mental and physical challenge. Look for training facilities in your area. You can choose from rally, disc dog, weight pull, agility and dock diving. Your intelligent pit bull is capable of learning any of these, but you should ask a professional trainer to help you get started.

    Indoor Exercise

    • If the weather is bad or your schedule suddenly became a nightmare, consider teaching your pit bull to exercise indoors. Believe it or not, pit bulls can be trained to walk on a treadmill. Start at a very low setting, and provide your pit bull with treats and praise for walking on the treadmill. The dog may be nervous at first, and your encouragement will help it learn not to fear the equipment. Always supervise and monitor your pit bull while it is on the treadmill to avoid injury.

    Mental Exercise

    • Pit bulls are intelligent dogs, and mental exercises are just as important as physical exercises. When you aren't walking, playing or training, provide your pit bull with ways to entertain itself. Bones, chews and toys can help your pit bull exercise its mind, relieve stress and release instinctive desires. You also can give your pit bull puzzle toys, such as Kongs, that require it to work to release a treat from the toy. These things will prevent your pit bull from getting bored and taking out its extra energy on your belongings.