This is Max! My baby! He is 10 years old now!
This was his puppy stage. Just look at him, how adorable he was…
Now that he has grown up, he has become so muscular and an active playful buddy of mine!
He is super protective, very very friendly and a cheerful and loving soul!
Through this article, I will take you through his journey from being a puppy to adult, mentioning specifically about all the exercises and activities that he enjoyed thoroughly which helped him to be physically fit and joyful.
To give you a brief idea…
While he was a pup, say from 2 to 6 months, I limited his exercise hours from 10 to 30 mins once in the morning and once in the evening. When he was about 8 months to 2 years of age, I extended the active hours to 60 mins twice a day and past 8 years of his age, I cut it down to 30 mins per day!
Let’s now continue with the details of the exercises and their benefits…
How much exercise do Rottweilers need?
The amount of time spent on exercise by Rottweilers will depend on their age and also to a certain extent their individual temperament.
While a puppy Rottweiler will be exhausted with a 10 mins exercise at a stretch, young Rottweiler can handle activity upto 1 to 2 hours and as they age above 8 years, they will tend to be less active and demand more amount of rest.
Exercises also vary in nature according to their age. For example, while a puppy rott will suffice with half a kilometre walk or a 10 mins swimming, the active age from 2 to 6 years will need longer walks of 1 to 1.5 kilometres, jumping and fetching a ball or stick in the garden or park, running for 5 to 10 mins, etc.
Can you take your Rottweiler to long walks?
Yes, you can definitely take your Rottweiler to long walks provided they are from 3 to 6 years of age and do not have any health problems.
Excessive stress on the legs in the infant stage of Rottweilers can lead to joint problems in the later years and also they are prone to heating up quite easily which can lead to sudden strokes or heart problems.
And as they start to age, longer walks can increase the chances of strokes and also affect their respiratory system.
But, in their active years, which is generally from 2.5 to 6.5 years, they can handle longer walks of upto 2 kilometres with a few breaks in between.
Remember not to over exercise them! If they want to rest in between walks, do let them sit for sometime on the grass, make them drink water and start again. This will gradually increase their stamina and enable them to take in more activity over time.
Another thing to note is that Rottweilers will enjoy walks when you pretend that you want them to pull you. They will be more actively engaged in the walking session thinking it to be their job or duty!
Can long walks/over exercising be harmful for your Rottweiler?
As I have mentioned earlier, the initial and the final years can spark a few health problems in your rott due to over exercising which are as follows:
1. Too much pressure in the hind legs while long walks, jumping and running can lead to joint pain, thinning of the legs and hip joint problems.
2. Longer hours of walk and exercise can lead to over heating of their body thus resulting in strokes.
3. They generally have shorter snouts, thus over walking them might result in breathlessness and other respiratory problems.
What exercises/activities can you make your Rottweiler do?
Rottweilers are actually a very active breed and they like to be involved in some activity for a part of the day.
Here are a few exercises/activities that your rott is sure to enjoy:
1.) Swimming:
As Rottweilers are prone to heating up easily, so swimming in the summer months is what they enjoy the most. A swimming session in the pool for 30 mins is sure to make them cheerful and overjoyed.
2.) Walks or strolls:
Lazy walks in the dog park or the walks for the morning refreshment, when accompanied by you, they just love it being your companion while enjoying the fresh air around.
3.) Jumping:
In the active years of age, your rott can enjoy activities like jumping over a hurdle or an obstacle. Remember to reward him once he has done the job.
4.) Fetching a ball/stick:
While you are indoors or just relaxing in the backyard or your garden, throw a stick or a ball at a distance and train your rott to fetch it back to you while reinforcing the activity with a reward.
5.) Pulling a rope:
This is one activity that Rottweilers really enjoy. Hold a rope tightly at one end and let your rott pull the other end with its full strength. This will help to strengthen his muscles and help him to be more energetic.
Exercises and walking alternatives for the infant and old age:
♦ Obedience training reinforced with a reward like sit, stand, sleep, jump, fetch.
♦ Fetching the bottle or remote for you.
♦ Cuddling or a little stroll with you inside the house after a meal to avoid obesity.
♦ Playing with toys just to maintain activeness of the body and mind.
Let’s conclude:
Rottweilers are active breeds that are likely to fit in any activity regime you want them to be in. But nothing of excess is good as it can have adverse effects.
So, be it exercise or walks, it is always better to limit the amount and time according to the needs and conditions of your Rottweiler.
After all, the main objective is to keep them healthy and fit and not to exhaust them with burden!
With that I would like to take a leave from this post with a hope to see you soon in my next one!
