12/22/2025
Great advice!
Incorporate these into daily life, together with kennel training & somatic exercises and you will be well prepared.
No exercise - keeping everyone happy and sane!
My Inuit, Sylvi, hasn’t been walked for ten days as she’s hurt her leg (an old injury that’s reoccurred and takes weeks to improve). She’s extremely active and normally has around 2 hours a day of walks and activities outside.
She is doing absolutely fine with no exercise because I’ve always made sure she can cope with days off and we have lots of things we can do without her moving around.
🐶 If you have a dog on restricted exercise, or if you just can’t get out some days, this may be helpful.
🕰️ Prepare for times like this
I don’t follow a strict routine with my dogs, so they’re used to walking at different times of day. This really helps when we occasionally can’t go out (or for weeks, in Sylvi’s case!), as no one is expecting a 7am walk every single day.
🧠 Keep doing enrichment past puppyhood
Lots of people stop using enrichment as their dog matures. We still use puzzle toys and enrichment most days and I’ve used loads with Sylvi while she can’t walk.
🌲 Bring the outside in
I’ve been going out for walks and bringing things home for Sylvi to investigate. We’ve had boxes of leaves, twigs, pine cones etc that she can sniff and gain outside information from.
🦴 Chewing time
I’ve increased her chewing time throughout the day to help keep her calm and occupied. I’ve reduced her daily food to balance the extra calories from chews. She’s a hard chewer, so things like bones, scalp chews and braided collagen suit her well, always choose chews that are appropriate for your dog.
🐕 Scent work (without moving!)
We’re doing lots of scent work with Sylvi lying down. We’re working on her indication for gunoil (she’s used to clove, so this is new). It’s mentally really tiring for her and scent work is fantastic for boosting mood, dogs can get a bit down without exercise and this helps massively.
❤️ Connection still matters
We’re also enjoying lots of cuddles and quiet time together. Gentle grooming, being close, and slowing things down, things we don’t always get time for normally. Social contact is hugely emotionally regulating for dogs. Visitors can help too, new people mean new scents and a bit of novelty.
It’s likely we’ll have several more weeks of very restricted exercise, but so far she’s really happy. When she’s able to get in the car, we’ll add in short car rides too, that can be very enriching and mood-boosting (if your dog enjoys the car).
Physical rest doesn’t have to mean emotional deprivation.
Laura McAuliffe, Dog Communication 2025
