Alternative to Milan's Method

I received a great question in a comment from my post on Cesar's Way by Cesar Milan. I've been complaining about Milan's recommendation to walk your dog for an hour every day, suggesting that it just isn't practical for most people.

The question I received:

"My question is: is there a more effective and realistic way than a walk to meet the dog's needs? (Ideally accepting the responsibility to meet the dog's needs through a walk or some other method would be part of the process of choosing a dog, but in the real world?)"

Here's my opinion, and remember, I'm not an expert. But, I base this on the books I've read and the people I've talked to -- all either spoken or writen by experts, and my opinion:  Exercise, attention and something to do is what will really meet a dog's needs.  It doesn't have to be just a walk through the mountains.

Walk the dog for 30 minutes. Play ball with him. Do some fun training. Take a training class. Teach your dog a new trick. Run him up and down the stairs 20 times. If you can't take your dog for an hour walk each day, then do it three times a week. Walk him for 30 minutes. Or do something! You can't expect a working or sporting dog, or a young puppy to stay cooped up in a crate all day while you're at work and then lie by your feet at night. If you can't make the commitment, then don't get a dog.

I don't disagree with Milan on the fact that dogs need more exercise. I just disagree with his insistence that there is only one way and that's because of a dog's inate need to forage for food.

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