German shorthaired pointers are known for being a very energetic breed. They can be very active and need lots of exercises, but they need to be tired every day, so they don’t get bored. It takes a lot of exercises daily to keep a German Shorthaired Pointer healthy. You’ll run out of energy before they do. Typically, GSP dogs require one to two hours of exercise each day, whether walking, hiking, running, swimming, or a combination of activities. You should tire out German Shorthair Pointer every day or two in order to keep them healthy and happy! Here are some activities to help you to tire your GSP out.
Go on a hike
Hiking is a great way to get your dog in the mood for exercise. A hike can be as simple as walking around the block, or it can be long and strenuous if you want it to be. The best time of day for a hike depends on what kind of weather you’re expecting, but generally speaking, mornings are better than afternoons or evenings because they have less traffic that could distract your pup from his task at hand (i.e., getting some fresh air).
Playing with the hose
You can also give your German shorthaired pointer a chance to chase something. The hose is a great toy for them because it’s long, flexible, and lightweight. You don’t want to let your dog play with it too much, though—they’ll get tired of chasing after the hose if you do that too often! If he bites down on the end of the hose (which happens quite often), take away all access until he learns how not to do that again.
Play keep away
You can play keep away with your dog by teaching it to “shake” and drop the toy. To do this, you’ll need a small stuffed toy (a tennis ball works well) and a treat in your pocket. When you’re ready to begin, say, “shake!” and toss the tennis ball toward your dog’s destination after he catches it. Then let him have fun! If he drops his toy too soon, give him another treat—but only if he’s dropped the toy at least once before that point. After several rounds of this game (which should last no more than five minutes), start over again by tossing the ball near where he came from without saying anything at all or giving him any signal beforehand; once again, allow him time alone with his object of affection until he finishes satisfying himself with whatever kind of gratification comes naturally next.
Chasing Bubbles
Bubbles are fun for dogs, but can also be dangerous if misused. If your dog is chasing bubbles around the house, it’s essential to ensure that he doesn’t get hit by furniture or other objects as he chases them around.
In addition to being fun for your German shorthaired pointer and his family members, bubbles can also be used to tire out your pup before heading outside on a walk or jog.
Take them to the dog park
If you have a German shorthaired pointer, the best way to tire them out is by taking them to a dog park. You can meet other people there with dogs of different breeds, and your dog will socialize with other dogs while they play together.
If you don’t have one nearby (or if it’s too cold), consider bringing one from home!
Swimming
Swimming is a great way to tire out your dog. Dogs love the water, and they can be easily distracted by other dogs or people in it. They’ll also likely enjoy themselves (and you) more than if you were just walking them around on land.
If you live near the beach, there’s no need for swimming lessons—just throw some towels in the water and let them swim! If not, consider taking your dog to an indoor pool or even going on an outdoor walk or run first thing in the morning.
Flirt Pole
Getting out and exercising with your German Pointer may be difficult for you for a number of reasons. The flirt pole is here! Like tetherball, the game our grandparents likely played in the schoolyard; your dog will have fun while being tired with a flirt pole. There is no doubt that this is a great option for dogs whose back yard is fenced, as this will provide them with additional exercise. Moreover, it has the benefit of not only being physically stimulating but also mentally stimulating, as well, which helps keep us from becoming bored.
Frisbee
Frisbees are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, making them versatile for dog training. They can be used to fetch, play catch and more!
You’ll want to start by making sure the frisbee has holes in it so your dog can hold on properly when playing with it. After throwing a few around with your dog for a bit, you’ll notice that he’s getting tired faster than usual—that means he’s ready to work!
Stick-fetching
You can also tire your puppy out by teaching him or her to fetch sticks. Toys specifically designed for this purpose are available on the market.
Your puppy can fit through the holes in these toys. It is only after your puppy has learned how to retrieve the stick that you will be able to throw it further away from your hand. As a result, your puppy’s endurance and strength will be improved.
How to Exercise Your German Pointer
Your German Pointer Dog needs to get regular exercise, and he (or she) deserves it every step of the way! However, the German Pointer Puppy should not be overexercised. A puppy’s mother knows what he needs, exercise-wise, before he’s weaned.
Those who are lucky enough to witness this act of good parenting will see that the mother dog encourages exercise by playing with the pups. Moreover, the mother will tell you when playtime is over, and it’s time to rest. There is a good chance that the “message” will come in the form of an intense growl and maybe even a snap or a bite from your mother. Inherently, she knows how to balance exercise and rest for puppies and adults.
It is recommended that you begin exercising your German Pointer either when he (or she) is weaned from the mother or the day after the dog arrives at your home, whichever is the case. Puppies need less “targeted” exercise the younger they are. Learn what exercises your German Pointer needs at each phase of his life.
Conclusion
We’ve covered a lot of ground here, but we think you get the idea. Tiring out your German shorthaired pointer can be done in many ways. The key is to find something that works for both of you! But if none of these activities sounds like their thing, then maybe give them a good run or try some swimming or running together—it might just put a smile on their face!