Now that the weather is becoming sunny and warm outside it's time to get that pooch out for some regular exercise. I have received a variety of phone calls this month on behaviour that I truly believe stems from lack of exercise and mental exhaustion in dogs. I came across this article from "Dog's In Canada", it's a great one! With that being said I've decided to share it with all of you!
Fit for life
April 8, 2011, By Natalie Ann Comeau, ARTICLE, ACTIVITIES
Are you sharing your life with a lazy Labrador? Or your couch with a portly Pekingese? Either way, you probably know that fitness is important for your dog’s health and well-being. Like humans, dogs that are overweight are at greater risk of diabetes, heart disease and respiratory problems, as well as increased wear and tear on their joints. Physically fit dogs, on the other hand, live longer, healthier lives, and enjoy a better quality of life as they age.
Start slowly
If your dog is not currently active, it’s advisable to book a veterinary exam before starting an exercise program. Seventy-five per cent of pets are overweight or obese, putting them at risk of a multitude of health problems and decreasing their life expectancy, explains Brett Warren, D.V.M., of Oakville Animal Clinic in Oakville, Ontario.
Sedentary, out-of-shape dogs have little enthusiasm for strenuous exercise, and for good reason – they huff and puff and ache just like humans do. “Dogs and their owners need to work their way up slowly to prevent injuries,” Clark emphasizes. Cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength take time to establish. The key is to build up your dog’s endurance slowly and systematically; walk before you run, and start with short workouts, gradually increasing the time and intensity.
If your dog is still a pup, you’ll want to take special precautions until its bones and joints have finished growing. “Exercise is good for puppies’ muscle development,” says Warren. But he cautions against high-impact activities until a pup is fully grown, explaining that young dogs are more susceptible to fractures, and a fracture across a growth plate could leave a dog with a deformed limb and lifelong disability. Puppies are also more susceptible to heat and cold, and their coordination is not yet fully developed so they tend to be clumsy and accident-prone.
Know when to stop
When planning your workouts, keep in mind that intensity should be in inverse proportion to duration – short bursts of intense activity like chasing a ball, or longer periods of moderate exercise like walking. Although some dogs have a low tolerance for physical activity and will quit before their owners break a sweat, many more will literally run till they drop. Don’t rely on your dog’s enthusiasm as evidence that all is well. Signs that it’s time to slow down include excessive panting, limping, stumbling, and pulling toward shade. How much exercise is enough depends on your dog’s breed, age and level of physical fitness. “Everything in moderation,” Warren advises. If your dog needs all day to recover from a workout, you’ve overdone it.
Benefit from diversity
The changing seasons not only offer a variety of workout options, they also require some special preparation. During winter outings, road salt can irritate paws and snow can accumulate between the toes, causing discomfort and even frostbite. Paws can also take a beating from running on hot pavement or rough gravel during warmer weather. And dogs can’t cool off as efficiently as humans can, so strenuous exercise during hot weather can be especially dangerous, putting dogs at risk for heat exhaustion. But the biggest seasonal risk factor, explains Warren, is weight gain due to inactivity during the winter months. Make an effort to stay active year-round, he advises, respecting extreme heat and cold weather warnings and saving your most intense workouts for spring and fall’s more moderate temperatures.
Both dogs and their humans benefit from diversity in intensity, frequency and duration of exercise.
Participating in a variety of activities not only starves off boredom, it ensures balance by working different muscle groups.
With a little creativity and effort, dog owners can come up with plenty of activities in their own neighbourhoods. “You don’t need expensive equipment or an elaborate dog park. You can work out anywhere with your dog,” Clark explains, adding that her dogs favour swimming during the summer months and fetching snowballs in wintertime. Spring and fall are ideal for hiking the trails at a conservation area or park, she says, using whatever nature provides to add interest to your workout – like slaloming around trees, jumping over boulders or sprinting up hills. Anything goes, as long as you’re active and having fun.
So whether you prefer a winter run through the city or an afternoon of swimming at the cottage, you’ve already got the perfect workout buddy – one that is always ready when you are, and whose enthusiasm will be a sure motivator to get you off the couch.
Tips for safe and healthy workouts
•Fast your dog for two to three hours prior to exercising, and don’t feed him immediately afterwards.
•Increase exercise duration and intensity gradually.
•Watch for signs of exhaustion and adjust your pace accordingly.
•Wear reflective accessories when exercising outdoors at night.
•Take the time to warm up before your workout and cool down afterwards to avoid sore muscles.
•Let a panting dog cool down and catch his breath before putting him into a hot car.
Your dog’s gym bag
If you’re driving to a park or conservation area for your workout, it’s a good idea to pack some essentials:
•water and bowl – add ice cubes in summer to keep the water cool
•a selection of leads – long, short and Flexi – to suit your needs
•a first-aid kit, including instant cold packs, bandages and Benadryl®
•a towel for drying off after swimming or wiping off muddy paws
•extra poop bags
Natalie Ann Comeau is a writer with a special interest in working canines. She lives in Oakville, Ont., with her family and three unemployed dogs.
In conclusion, I have always believed that a tired dog is a good dog. When dogs are mentally and physically tired they do not have the energy to get into trouble, they do not have the energy to start bad behaviours. By exercising your dog you will decrease the bad behaviour and increase your bond with your loving friend!
