Puppies less than 8 weeks should be moved outside of their housing area for exercise each day, this might be to another area of the house or yard. Dogs of all ages must be provided with a minimum amount of daily exercise, socialisation, handing and enrichment. Further details are provided in the following tables. Exercise and Enrichment for Dogs Category Exercise Requirements Environmental Enrichment Puppies 0 to 4 weeks Normal movement within whelping box and mother’s pen Provide a variety of different surfaces within enclosure that expose puppies to different textures (e.g. hard floor, soft bedding, newspaper, artificial grass, turf) Puppies 4-8 weeks Normal movement and play within the mother’s pen Can include playing with toys and interaction with humans Provide a variety of different surfaces and textures within the enclosure Provide a variety of toys within the enclosure to develop motor skills and play behaviour Must rotate toys on a weekly basis Puppies 8-16 weeks Provide a minimum of 20 minutes run/play time daily within a secure area outside of primary housing enclosure Exercise may include: introduction of daily walks on lead basic obedience training training working dogs for farm work training hunting or retrieving dogs for such activities Provide a variety of different surfaces within the enclosure that expose puppies to different textures Provide a variety of toys within the enclosure to develop motor skills and play behaviour Rotate toys on a weekly basis May wish to provide noise simulation CD’s Dogs 16 plus weeks Minimum 30 minutes exercise twice daily with at least 2 hours between each exercise session Exercise may include: on lead walking or off leash run/play time within a secure area competition training training working dogs for farm work training and participation in retrieval activities Provide toys such as rope and squeaky toys, rubber toys and rotate weekly. May also provide food dispensing toys that encourage foraging – treat balls, stuffed kongs, frozen food, bones May utilise competition training, crate training and training hunting / retrieving activities as alternative forms enrichment. When using these, they must occur at least 3 x weekly and must be interchanged with other forms of enrichment Senior dogs 7 years plus Same as adult dog unless modified under health management plan Same as adult dog unless modified under health management plan
0–4 weeks surfaces, soft bedding, paper, etc.) handling from 7 days of age Remain with mother and other littermates unless under veterinary advice weight gain Must be handled for a minimum of 5 minutes per kitten per day Orphaned kittens 0–4 weeks Provide exposure to a variety of textures/surfaces (such as hard surfaces, soft bedding, paper, etc.) May wish to provide noise simulation CDs Provide daily exposure to humans via daily handling from 7 days of age Must remain with other littermates where possible, except under veterinary advice Weighed daily from birth to ensure weight gain Handle for a minimum of 5 minutes per kitten per day Kittens 4–8 weeks Provide with: climbing and perching areas scratch poles hide areas a variety of toys they can roll, pounce on, capture and bite exposure to variety of items that stimulate the senses (i.e. catnip, cat grass etc) Rotate toys weekly May wish to provide noise simulation CDs Provide daily exposure to humans via daily handling Remain with mother and littermates except under veterinary advice May begin socialisation with other animals/cats of appropriate vaccination status and temperament Handle for a minimum of 15 minutes per kitten per day Kittens 8–16 weeks Must be provided with: climbing and perching areas scratch poles hide areas a variety of toys they can roll, pounce on, capture and bite exposure to variety of items that stimulate the senses (such as catnip, cat grass etc) Rotate toys weekly Provide with daily exposure to humans through handling and interactive play using toys outside of daily cleaning/feeding routine Provide with opportunity to socialise with other animals/cats of appropriate vaccination status and temperament May begin harness/lead training Handle for a minimum of 30 minutes per kitten per day Adolescent and adult cat 16+ weeks Must be provided with: climbing and perching areas scratch poles Provide daily exposure to humans through handling and interactive play using toys outside Handle for a minimum of 30 minutes per cat per day