How do you make sure your dog gets enough exercise?

I ask this because I take my dog to the dog park for 1-3 hours a day (depending on weather and if there are dogs at the park he enjoys playing with). If we didn't go to the dog park, I doubt he would have enough exercise. We take a 1/2 mile walk at least once a day and play in our yard in the evening (usually with soccer ball). Several times a week we go for a hike or a bike ride in addition.



When I answered a question regarding dog parks, I received 2 thumbs down and everyone who answered saying they take their dogs to dog parks got at least that many TDs as well. I know there are people who don't do the dog park thing, so I am wondering, how do you keep your dog properly exercised without the dog park? How is he socialized? Obviously I am doing something wrong that I depend on the dog park to make sure my very active dog gets enough exercise. It has also gotten my dog over fears, such as fear of men and people wearing hoods or hats.



This was my answer:



I take my dog to the dog park everyday. He loves it.



However...



I know how to read my dog's body language.



I walk around the park with my dog and interact with him. I don't just sit on a bench and chat on the phone while the dog is out doing whatever.



I watch the other dogs. I try to keep my dog away from dogs who are too rough for him or if they hump him.



Most importantly...my dog is trained. If I tell him to leave it, he does. If I call him, he comes. He is neutered, so much less likely to get into a fight.



If I feel a bad vibe at the dog park or if there are too many intact males, we leave and go to the other end of the park which isn't fenced in and not as many people go to.



It is a great experience for me and my dog. He loves it there and I love watching him play and get proper exercise.



Many people are concerned if all of the dogs have their vaccinations. As long as your dog is properly vaccinated and has a good immune system, the chances of him picking anything up are slim to none.



Of course, if your dog has a tendency to be aggressive or overwhelmed by too many dogs, please don't take him.



Edit to add: kennel cough is only transmitted when exposed for several hours in a closed environment, hence it is called KENNEL cough...which is typically an enclosed area. I still give my dog the bordatella vaccine because he is occassionally boarded at day care.



Regardless if you choose to go to the dog park or not, your dog should be given Interceptor (or similar) and Advantex or Frontline Plus. This products protect your dog againist the transmission of worms and fleas. Again, it's not that you worry if other dogs have worms or fleas, but that your dog is protected against them.How do you make sure your dog gets enough exercise?
The dog park is a 15-20 minute drive. I go when I have the money. When I don't, I have a huge 1 acre property that's partially fenced. Dafne LOVES playing fetch. So usually I sit outside for 45 minutes to over an hour just huckin' the ball for her. I do that twice a day. For my little one, Ein, he's not high energy. When we go to the dog park Ein usually just wanders around with me and pees on everything.



I credit the dog park for the socialization that my dogs have. Ein was originally raised around cats, and if I didn't take him to the dog park, he would have been a cat. As for Dafne, well, she's already been bit at the dog park (damn people and their aggressive dogs) but if it wasn't for the dog park, Dafne would probably never see another dog besides Ein, and my neighbours dog.



I love the dog park, and if people have a problem with that, and want to call me a bad owner because of it, well maybe they should re-evaluate what they think they know about dogs.. they are social, they NEED the pack, even if it's just for a few hours a day.How do you make sure your dog gets enough exercise?
I don't see anything wrong with dog parks.....you may have been thumbs down because of the kennel cough comment....kennel cough is spread more than just at kennels or boarding facilities..if 1 dog in a yard has it he can spread it to every dog in the yard without being in a closed environment.....it is more recognized for boarding/kennels....but once 1 dog has it and brings it in it can spread....
don't let you dog walk in the park for so long or he or she will be very tired and maybe it might get sick or very tired give them a water when finished walking
My daughter takes our Pit to the dog park at least 3 times a week. She is 10 months old and when Ashley first started taking her she was not comfortable and stuck by Ash or visited with the people. We have 8 other dogs at home but Launi needed the interaction with dogs not in her pack.



After 4 times she finally started playing with the other dogs. She prefers to play with smaller dogs (our pack is mostly smaller).



Ashley watches closely. She gets a lot of play time at home with us and the other dogs.



The only thing she is not getting right now are walks. She has a degenerative bone problem in her left front and walking on concrete is not good.



So, it is dog parks, play time at home. She is happy.