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great way to get a little exercise and fun into your own day.
    Exercise allows your dog to stretch his muscles and burn up some energy. This is especially important if he is a young dog or a big, high-energy dog. If your dog tends to be high-strung or suffers from separation anxiety, aerobic exercise at the start of the day can help him feel calm and relaxed and alleviate some of his fears.
    Most dogs need aerobic exercise at least once every day. Thirty to 45 minutes of exercise and play for your dog is ideal. Fifteen to 20 minutes is the minimum.
    To keep your dog wildly enthusiastic about his exercise period, keep your routine varied. Walk, jog, bike, and skate. Build up your biceps by throwing balls, Frisbees, or sticks for him to catch or retrieve. If you have a pool and a dog who likes water, let him swim laps with you. In the winter, encourage your dog to run, jump, and tunnel in the snow. My black Lab, for example, thinks shoveling the driveway is a game I invented just for him. He loves to hurtle himself into the air to catch the snow as I toss it off the shovel.
    Teaching your dog some tricks or special skills is another way you can enrich your dog’s exercise and his relationship with you. Learning something new is good mental stimulation for your dog. Most dogs relish the opportunity. A little exercise for the brain and the satisfaction that comes from developing new skills will help your dog feel more relaxed and confident during his time alone. My two dogs’three favorite games are described below.
Play Ball!
    If your dog loves to play catch, teach her to throw the ball back to you. At first her “throws” will barely resemble a real throw. But as she catches on to what you want, she’ll actually try to fling the ball with her mouth. Reward her with praise and treats, and she’ll keep trying to do better. Eventually she’ll get pretty good at it.
    1. Start by throwing the ball for your dog to retrieve and bring back toyou. Do this many times.
    2. At some point when she drops the ball at your feet, she’ll unwittingly give it a bit of a spin or a fling. When she does so, praise her using the phrase “throw the ball.” For example, say with enthusiasm, “Good throw the ball!”
    3. Do some more throwing and retrieving until she “throws” it again. When she does so, praise her as in step 2.
    4. Practice the throwing and retrieving routine each day, asking her to throw the ball every time she brings it to you. Before long you’ll be able to play a real game of catch.
Slam Dunk!
    You and your dog can both get plenty of exercise running up and down a basketball “court” and “dunking” a small ball.
    1. Set a basketball hoop low to the ground. (You can use an official-size basketball hoop or a child-size one.)
    2. Give your dog a ball (one small enough to fit in his mouth). Walk him up to the hoop so that his head is over the rim. Tell him to “dunk the ball.” He may surprise you and drop the ball through the hoop. If he does, reward him with praise and a small treat.
    3. If he doesn’t drop the ball, gently remove the ball from his mouth and drop it through the center of the hoop. Then cheer as if you are at a basketball game, using the phrase “dunk the ball.” Tell him what a champion he is and give him a small treat.
    4. Pick up the ball, throw it for him to go after, then stand by the hoop. When he brings the ball to you, tell him, “Dunk the ball!” You may have to demonstrate what you want a few more times, but if you continue to reward him with a treat, he’ll quickly get the idea.
    5. Once your dog has the hang of dunking the ball, set up an area to use as a basketball court. Position your dog at one end and the hoop at the other. Have him run with you down the court with the ball in his mouth. When he reaches the hoop give him the “dunk the ball” command. After a few more runs down the court