Keep in mind, I have difficult dogs, all have issues except for Chanel. So they
truly benefit from the exercise. And we are in an apartment, without a yard,
so the only way for them to go outside is on-leash walks. Also hubby & I are
both nature enthusiasts, we much rather walk then go to movies, restaurants,
etc, it's just pure heaven for our whole family, which is why we do it. I think
that all dogs can benefit from walks, and ideally I recommend 3 walks per day.
The time of each walk depends on your dog's endurance level and physical
health. For those who wish to walk more often with their Chi, do it slowly,
give them time to build up endurance, add only 10 minutes or so to each walk
for a week, then another 5 and so forth, let the dog get used to it slowly but
surely, don't push them to walk 2 hours if they are used to 20 minute walks.
Also I strongly recommend to bring water on all walks, no matter what the
weather is like, also for long walks a tiny snack can come in handy, a little
mini energy boost, this is especially helpful for tiny Chis.

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At the moment my Zeta is recovering from bronchitis so she isn't aloud out in the cold!!!
She had been seriously poorly for over 6 weeks - now she is aloud on the treadmill ( I have a professional dog one) the vet said a few mins twice a day to start with and OMG she is so much happier in herself if she gets in the room where the treadmill is I find her just stood on it waiting lol .. It's so great to slowly get "my" Zeta back as we all thought she wasn't going to make it !!

Exercise is so important for dogs

Oh i think she would wee herself with excitement if we met your lot on a walk hehe!

I bet it helps having so many dogs though right - they must play lots and burn off some energy? x

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+1

I, too have dogs that NEED exercise. We walk no matter the weather (so long as it's safe, of course). I am currently building up Stella's endurance to longer running b/c that is what my labs prefer to do. She loves it, but since she's take ~6 steps for their one, she gets tired faster. So we have slowed down and walk more during our outings. I have been looking at backpacks so we can continue on when Stella wears out, but not force her to push too hard. This hasn't happened yet, but we usually just head home when she starts to have trouble keeping up.
She (and my choc lab, Maggie) definitely need the running, though! She has a lot of JRT in her, and her energy can go through the roof! I fear for my home and the lives of my kitties on the days we can't go outside (slight exaggeration... the kitties are fine, please do not panic).

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I walk Butterbean probably five or six times a day. At least one of those is usually quite long. The others vary. Butterbean won't do just potty breaks, though. She won't even go in our yard any longer. A trip around the block is the minimum for her to do any "business."

I don't have my chi pup yet as she was only born 2 days ago, but when she is old enough she will be started off on the 5 mins rule. When she is an adult she will get the same as my lhasa and shiddie. Two 40 min walks a day minimum. I have a good sized fenced in garden for off lead excercise. She will never be carried around in a bag. She will be allowed to be, what she is.....A dog, and enjoy everything a dog should.

Oh yes they play loads and burn of energy BUT the more they run & play the fitter they get and have more and more energy I LOVE it

One a day until my most recent hospital stay...now walking has become painful but I am still walking on my good days. We go to the park and he runs off lead and he has a ton of fun. He also hates the snow so last time I had him out he ended up refusing to move.. very embarrassing.

I always play with him indoors though, throwing toys and playing tug even on painful days.