There are other types of activity that you can engage your Maltese in that count toward his daily exercise needs.
One thing that is not a substitution is simple indoor movement. There used to be a notion that toy breed dogs could 'self exercise' by staying busy inside; however, this is not true. All dogs move while indoors. So, walking, jumping, playing with other dogs, and other such actions are part of a dog's normal day.
For exercise, there needs to be moderate purposeful activity which engages the muscles and moderately rises the heart rate.
Since 5 minutes can feel like 25, and vice-versa, if you will be having an exercise session with your Maltese other than walking, it is suggested to time this.
Other activities include:
Fetch
- This classic game is one of the most popular for a reason; it not only gets a dog moving but is also a great bonding activity for owners and their canine family members.
Find it
- This is usually done indoors, and can be a good alternative if the weather is so severe that it's not possible to head outside.
This is done by hiding a toy or treat and encouraging a dog to find it. Start with an easy hiding spot, and work your way up to more challenging locations. Your level of enthusiasm will have a big impact on how focused your dog is, and to what extent he wants to play along.