Here are some indoor dog exercises you and your pup can do to burn off steam and stay in shape.

How much exercise your dog needs depends on breed, age and general health. But the consensus among behaviorists and veterinarians is that one hour a day of exercise is required to keep your four-legged friend fit.

Also, a general rule-of-thumb is that your dog should spend between 30 minutes and two hours being active every day. A general guide for exercise per breed size is: Small breeds.

1. Stairs. Running up and down the stairs a few times when you can’t get outside is great for building muscle.
2. Hide-and-Seek. Hide-and-seek gets your dog moving and provides mental stimulation.
3. Treadmill.
4. Tug.
5. Agility.

In general, most dogs benefit from between 30 minutes to two hours of physical activity per day (source). That averages out to 3.5 to 14 hours of walking per week. Many people break that time up into two or three walks per day.

Another built-in plus when it comes to housebreaking is our puppy’s digestive tract, which is extremely quick and efficient. Five to 30 minutes after the puppy eats, she’ll want to defecate. So with a consistent eating schedule, and your attention to the clock, your puppy can maintain regular trips outside.

Pet sitters charge an average of $25 per 30-minute visit, $20 to $30 per day, $45 to $75 per night, or $250 to $375 per week. Rates depend on the services requested, if you need 24-hour pet care or service on holidays, and if you have additional pets.

Pet sitting rates in LA are typically between $14 to $25 for 15 to 30-minute visits. Additional services such as special care and general housekeeping may add to the cost or be included. The average rate of hiring pet sitters in Los Angeles for overnight care ranges between $50 to $120 per night.

If you decide to purchase a purebred dog from a breeder, you can expect to spend $500-2000, give or take. Spend the extra money on a quality dog from a reputable and professional breeder, not a “backyard breeder.” It will cost you less in the long run because the dog will be healthier (and it’s the right thing to do).

16 Things to Think About Before Adopting a Dog

• Take your time making a decision.
• Adopting means getting your pup from a shelter.
• Make sure your family’s wallet can handle it!
• It’s so important to get your dog spayed or neutered.
• Dog tags and microchipping are a must!
• Dogs need their teeth brushed, just like humans.

Different Dogs, Different Situations One experienced dog trainer and expert on dog development suggested that the optimum age for a puppy to go to its new owner is about 8-to-9-weeks, when the pup is ready to develop a strong bond.

Dogs have many more smell receptors than humans – a receptor is a part of the nose that recognises each unique smell particle. Under perfect conditions, they have been reported to smell objects or people as far as 20km away. You might be interested to know dogs are not the only great smellers.