Exercising a 11 month old puppy?

[SheriS]

@Dr. Jeff @Dr. Christina @Dr. Jean Hofve
What type of exercise do you do for puppies (and with Maya)? We've been training Cooper to potty on a pad on the deck first thing. Then we walk him for exercise and training later in the day. Sometimes we take him on the grass/moss for 10 minutes in the morning, but mornings are challenging for me, so there's not enough of this.
Also, when I take hime out on the grass, I notice he continuouly rolls around as if he's enjoying it more than anything in the world. Is this a scent marker? Is he itchy? or simply a doggie thing?

 

[Dr. Jeff]

What type of exercise do you do for puppies (and with Maya)?

Running, playing, digging, etc. Usually the best exercise for the individual pup comes out of letting them do their own thing. Perhaps just avoid too many high jumps, e.g. in agility.

And I bet Cooper would love you to get involved in a dog sport like nose work.

Other possibilities (discussed in more detail here):

https://positively.com/dog-training/article/enrichment-dog-sports

Is this a scent marker? Is he itchy? or simply a doggie thing?

Yes, yes and more.

He's happy, feeling good, grounding, soaking up the sun, etc when he rolls on the ground.