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Exercising With Your Dog

Why Keep Your Dog Fit

Exercise is a key factor in the health and well-being of your dog. Fit dogs are more alert and content. They sleep better, have more energy, and experience fewer socialization problems. Active dogs also tend to live longer, with fewer health problems. Regular exercise helps dogs build strong bones, improves cardiovascular systems, and tones muscles.

Exercising your dog also benefits you at the same time!

Establish A Routine

Dogs like routines. Your exercise program should be tailored to your schedule and you should try to stick to it. If the weather is bad, make the walk short but do make the effort. Your dog will miss the ritual.

The Top 4 Inappropriate (and Dangerous) Ways To Exercise A Dog

1. Exercising your dog while riding in a vehicle, either with a leash out the window or with the dog running off-leash in behind.
2. Riding a bicycle with your dog on a leash.
3. Skateboarding and leading a dog on leash.
4. Roller-blading with your dog dragging behind you on a leash.

How Long Should A Dog Walk Be?

A half hour walk twice a day should be sufficient for most dogs. Never push your pet beyond his or her capabilities.

Remember to tailor your exercise program to your dog's breed - small dogs with short legs require less walking distance than larger breeds. Also note that some breeds with short noses, such as Bulldogs, Boxers and Pekingese, may experience breathing difficulties while exercising and, therefore, will require a program of shorter walks more often. Avoid exercising dogs right after they have eaten.

Dogs should always be walked on a leash. In most cities it is the law and for good reason - there are dangers to other people and to your dog. A dog off-leash is susceptible to injuries from cars, can wander into another dog's territory which could provoke a dog fight, or your dog could knock over and injure (or bite) a child or an elderly person. Be aware that people from some cultures perceive dogs in ways that may differ from your own perspective. They may be afraid of dogs or have negative sensibilities to dogs because of cultural expectations. A dog on a leash shows that you are in control of your dog and that you respect that those that want to keep their distance from your dog. Dogs off- leash are also a nuisance to neighbours, getting into gardens and flower beds. Responsible dog guardians care about the safety and well-being of both their dogs and the community.

Starting Out

Be aware that dogs, like people, need time to get into shape and that weather conditions impact greatly on a dog's abilities. Before starting an exercise program take your dog for a veterinary checkup. Also, pay close attention to your dog's footpads. Care needs to be taken when walking on certain surfaces which can irritate, damage or be painful to your dog's feet (for example, sharp-stoned gravel or hot pavement). Regularly check your dog's footpads for excessive wear from walking on pavement and for cracking. In snowy conditions check for ice buildup between the toes.

Remember to start your exercise program slowly, and gradually build up the stamina of your dog. This is especially important if your dog is overweight, an older dog, or a puppy. Dogs, by nature, will loyally try to keep up with you even when their health is in danger. After walks be sure to provide shade and cool water on hot days, and warm, draft free housing in winter.

Jogging With Dogs

If you want to jog with your dog you need to select a breed of dog suited for distance running. Most dogs are "stop-start" runners, meaning they are suited to run for short bursts followed by stretches of walking. For most dogs, a long walk is more appropriate exercise than a run.

For those with running breeds, schedule the duration and the rigour of each outing over several weeks to gradually build up the dog's stamina. For a 30 minute work-out, be sure to include a 5 minute warm up, a 20 minute run, and a 5 minute cool down period of walking.

An over-exerted dog pants heavily. Breathing may become irregular and the dog's gait may become uneven - staggering. Breathing may suddenly become quiet and the dog might faint.

Heat Exhaustion

Exercising your dog on very hot or humid days could cause heat exhaustion. Dogs cool themselves by panting. If panting does not reduce the body temperature the dog will develop heatstroke.

Heatstroke occurs when a dog is subjected to prolonged exposure to high temperature or humidity to a point where the animal is unable to maintain normal body temperature. Heatstroke can be fatal if not treated immediately.

Early signs of heat exhaustion include rapid breathing, heavy panting, and salivation. Other signs are fatigue, muscle tremors, and staggered walking. As heatstroke progresses the dog may also exhibit vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, or collapse.

Treating An Over-Heated Dog

• Carry the dog to a cool, shady place.
   
• Apply water to the head, neck, and chest and fan the dog vigorously using cardboard or a blanket to speed evaporation. The evaporation process cools the blood. Do not apply ice as this constricts blood flow and does not effectively lower the animal’s core temperature.
   
• Give some cool water - but restrict the amount. The dog may vomit the water if consumed too quickly. Alternatively, let the dog lick ice cubes or even ice cream.
   
• Take the dog to a veterinarian immediately for further treatment.

What All Dog Guardians Should Know

Besides being inhumane, in some municipalities in B.C. it is against the law to keep a dog chained up all day. Dogs need regular daily exercise off the chain.

While walking your dog remember to "stoop and scoop" - it's the law in most cities (and part of proper pet etiquette).

Keep your dog on leash during walks, unless you are in a designated area that allows dogs to run free.

Remember to make sure your dog has identification and is licensed.

You are responsible for the actions of your dog. Most dog bites occur to children under the age of 10 years old. A well socialized, neutered dog is less likely to bite.

Teach children to approach your dog safely. Follow these simple rules:

1. Make sure children ask permission to pet the dog - let them know that not all dogs are friendly!
    
2. Children should allow the dog to sniff their hand first. This prepares the dog (and the child) for contact.
    
3. Have the child pet the dog under the chin first. If the dog is comfortable the child can pet the dog along its back.