Mini Schnauzer Dog Exercise Regimen

A dog exercise regimen will help keep your Miniature Schnauzer in tip-top shape from head to tail! AND........

Preventing dog obesity is whole lot easier than correcting it!

It’s true! Our dogs are getting fat! And that’s not good. Did you know that an overweight dog is more likely to suffer from arthritis, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, pancreatitis and the list goes on..... not to mention it contributes to an earlier death for dogs.

So, it’s time to cut the fat and get healthy! It’s a simple matter of reducing calories and increasing activity. But of course, that’s easier said than done.

How do you tell if your Schnauzer is fat?

Here are some ways to determine if your Miniature Schnauzer needs to drop a few pounds. Take an overhead view of your Miniature Schnauzer. There should be no bulging at your Miniature Schnauzer's waist line. Next, run your hands over your Miniature Schnauzer’s ribs. Can you feel them? If your Miniature Schnauzer’s ribs are difficult to feel, a diet is probably in order for your dog.

dog health tip: As a point of reference, most Miniature Schnauzers are between 12 to 14 inches tall; weighing 11 to 20 pounds (depending on the Schnauzer's size and bone structure, of course). AKC Miniature Schnauzer Breed Standard

Also, don’t forget to perform your weekly Miniature Schnauzer dog checkup. Keeping a watchful eye on your Miniature Schnauzer's overall health, including any weight changes, is the best way to prevent your Miniature Schnauzer dog from ever getting fat!

Miniature Schnauzer Dog Exercise Regimen

There are plenty of ways to incorporate good daily physical exercise routines or workouts for your Miniature Schnauzer. Here are just a few:

• Walk- A daily walk is the perfect dog exercise for your Miniature Schnauzer. Whether it’s a brisk walk around your neighborhood or at a nearby dog park, your Miniature Schnauzer will love it. Get at least 2 good walks in per day with your Miniature Schnauzer.

  dog health tip: During the summer months - early morning and late evening hours are the best times to walk your Miniature Schnauzer and avoid over heating your dog and the threat of heat strokes. Miniature Schnauzer Summer Dog Care and Precautions

  If you can’t walk your Miniature Schnauzer that often, think about enlisting the help of a dog walking service for your Miniature Schnauzer.

• Dog Parks - Besides having great trails and off leash runs, dog parks offer the opportunity for your Miniature Schnauzer to socialize with other dogs and people. It's a fun way to add some dog exercise in your Miniature Schnauzer's routine.

• Treadmill – Some people have taught their dogs to walk on treadmills. Yep! They even sell dog treadmills. If you can teach your Miniature Schnauzer how to do this, great! Just make sure the treadmill is set on a very slow speed. Don’t overdo it. And I can’t stress this enough - SUPERVISE! And never ever strap or leash your Miniature Schnauzer dog to the treadmill! That's a no-no and an accident waiting to happen.
  
  
  
• Agility- Another great dog exercise for your Miniature Schnauzer is agility. You can get an agility set and have some backyard fun with your Miniature Schnauzer. Not only is dog agility training good physical exercise for your Miniature Schnauzer dog, it also provides your Miniature Schnauzer with the mental stimulation he needs. Dog agility is quickly becoming one of the best dog sports of today.

  There are plenty of affordable agility sets and agility training videos & books; and/or you can enroll your Miniature Schnauzer in a dog agility training class. I bet you'll find out that your Miniature Schnauzer really likes agility, and in fact, is actually quite good at agility!
  
  

• Swimming - Swimming is also a great low impact dog exercise for your Miniature Schnauzer. Again, supervision is a must! Make sure to closely supervise your Miniature Schnauzer while your dog is swimming. Your Miniature Schnauzer could tire easy and have difficulty exiting the pool. It's a good idea to have your Miniature Schnauzer wear a dog life vest while in the pool or swimming anywhere.

• Snow Play - There's no reason for your Miniature Schnauzer to gain weight during the winter months, either (like most humans do). The Miniature Schnauzer breed loves the cold weather and good romp around the snow will tire your Miniature Schnauzer out and help build his leg muscles!
  
  
• Play Activities & Tricks - Play exercise and Miniature Schnauzer trick training games, like hide-n-seek, offer both mental and physical exercise for your Miniature Schnauzer dog.

  A good game of fetch is always fun for your Miniature Schnauzer OR get creative and try some of our very own fun fitness ideas below:

  Since Miniature Schnauzers were originally bred to hunt down vermin, hang up a few squirrel and bird feeders in your backyard and then watch the fun. Your Miniature Schnauzer will get lots of exercise chasing away those vermins.

  OR, simply turn on your water hose and have your Miniature Schnauzer tire himself out from chasing the water spray. Simply make back and forth motions with the water from one side of the yard to the other.

There are lots of fun activities for you to get your Miniature Schnauzer up and moving. So, there's not any reason to have a fat Miniature Schnauzer.

Miniature Schnauzer Exercise Tips

A few final thoughts about your Miniature Schnauzer's dog exercise regimen:

1. Always ask your Miniature Schnauzer's Veterinarian before beginning any fitness program with your Miniature Schnauzer dog. Your Miniature Schnauzer's vet is the best person to consult, as each individual dog will have specific needs based on their current age, weight, and overall physical health.

2. Dog Exercise = Big Benefits - Exercising your Miniature Schnauzer provides an outlet for your dog to release energy. Dogs who lack in exercise usually compensate in more destructive behavior or overeating out of boredom.

3. Always take along plenty of fresh water on your outings for your Miniature Schnauzer. This is easy to do with great products like this dog travel drink dispenser by Handi Drink.

4. Don’t overdo it. Your dog’s exercise routine should be fun for both you and your Miniature Schnauzer. The key is for your Miniature Schnauzer to get and remain fit, have fun, and be healthy.

5. Cut back on the treats. Don't forget to reduce your Miniature Schnauzer's caloric intake. An easy way to do this without your Miniature Schnauzer dog feeling deprived, is to substitute regular 'store bought treats' with fresh vegetables, like green beans!

At the end of the day you’ll have a tired but happy Miniature Schnauzer.

dog exercise tip: Finish off the week with a nice relaxing dog massage!

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