The proper amount of exercise for your dog

It's important for your dog to get its daily exercise, however, the amount that's right for your dog can vary due to the age, size and breed, said Patrick Carroll, the executive director of the Delaware Humane Association.

Active dogs

An active breed of dog, like a border collie, should have between 60 to 90 minutes of daily exercise. That exercise time can be done all at once or it can be divided into bursts of activity like walks and active playtime, Carroll said.

If you have an older, less active dog, then a combination of about 30 minutes to 1 hour of exercise should be fine for them, Carroll said.

Human interaction

Spending time with your dog and interacting with them is a kind of "mental exercise" for your dog, Carroll said.

Sitting with them, petting them or even something as simple as eye contact can keep your dog mentally stimulated, Carroll said.

Also, you can give your dog a chew toy or a ball. The toy will keep them mentally engaged and occupied and can prevent boredom in your pet, which can lead to behavior issues, Carroll said.

'A happy dog'

Often times, you'll hear people say the expression that "A happy dog is a tired dog," which is true, Carroll said.

A dog wants to be active and, if it's not getting the proper attention and exercise, behavior problems like chewing on things or anxiety can arise, Carroll said.

So, if a dog is tired at the end of the day that means the dog will sleep well at night and not develop behavioral issues because it has received the proper amount of exercise and human interaction, Carroll said.