[storms226]

Can someone give me some examples of "Structured Exercise"?

In my mind I am thinking of routine... every day at this time we walk, every day at this time we eat breakfast out of puzzle toys, every day at this time we play "catch the dot", every day at this time we - and so on.

Is it routine or is it actual structured... exercise?

 

[BusterBCsMum]

Having a high energy breed I, personally, find it easier to not go by a strict routine. Buster gets walked, fed and run at different times everyday. I find it keeps him from expecting things to happen all the time.

I exercise him physically and mentally the same way though, for instance our walks consist of lots of obedience stuff like off leash heeling, down stays, tricks, sporadic recall, running round objects etc. Stuff to keep his mind engaged. We also do flirt pole in the garden aswell as work with directionals round cones. Usually before we settle at home for the day.

He'll then either have him recreational bone to chew on or his filled Kong I keep in the freezer. Or if I can be bothered his treat activity tower.

I think of it more as structured exercise rather than routine, my daily life is different every single day and this works well for us. He never paces or stands by the door expecting walks, when at home he's in bed sleeping.

 

[busannie]

I guess it sort of depends on context, but I would think that the general use would be referring to exercise that is directed, ie: not a free-for-all. Maybe with some obedience mixed in, say, while retrieving (sit for a throw, etc). I take it to mean anything where you're telling the dog, "lets do this!", and are actively engaging them in a specific activity, rather than letting them run around mindlessly, digging holes, mugging their dog buddies, etc.