How much is enough?

For the past few days, I got to think about how much exercise or walk a dog needs. First, I believe it varies for dogs, some are fine with a 30 minutes daily walk while others like mine requires a lot more. Curley is a Jack Russell terrier, needs lot of exercise. As his care giver I assume the responsibility: I get up most days at 6 am just to start his day with an hour long walk. Does it make a difference? Absolutely, I don't have to feel guilty for leaving him or worry that he is bored. He is often just tired and ready to digest his breakfast and take nap (really he is just recharging his battery). By mid-day, we often go for our second long walk (an hour). I admit that he is lucky but at the same time he is really just getting his basic need met. We enjoy a third walk in late afternoon, sometime it is shorter as it gets dark sooner (longer in summer, an hour).

Some of our walk are just relaxing walk where he gets to explore or simply carries a stick as we follow a path. Others are more instructive (do drills). For example, I may turn around and see that he pays attention which way I am going or I may on and off call him when off leash to come and sit (practice commands) before I tell him to go play. In other words, I try to make him do some mental work not just physical. Another type of walk I do once in a great while is what I refer as one-on-one. I will bring one of his favorite "squeaky" ball and toss it to him throughout our walk. I may also try to induce him to cover more distance, by faking a throw and as he goes further ahead on path, I will squeak the ball to get his attention and then throw it behind me (other direction). He is definitely forced to be mentally focused on these walks while having fun (he loves to fetch).

The more exercise he gets definitely tires him out though there are times that he remains true to his breed and isn't much tired at all. He is ready to fetch once home (high energy).

Benefits of ensuring he gets enough exercise is that I won't worry about him destroying my furniture (at least for that day). These walks certainly help maintain my weight and keep me fit. Also as I don't want to be bored and do circles of my  neighborhood, I will make a point to visit a park, thus breath fresher air (less polluted) increasing my life span. In other words, I benefit from these longer walks, I get mental breaks as I just relax, listen to birds or have time to think by myself, while also doing cardio (exercise- walking) and breathing some better quality air. I should really thank Curley, he is making me a healthier person.