Fit For Fun
Author
The summer weather is upon us. Plans are being made for hikes, swims and all the fun activities we can share with our dogs in the warm weather (admittedly, those of you in the Deep South may be heading for air conditioned hibernation, but this information can help you next fall.)
Just as many of us are ?weekend warriors,? many of our dogs have lost conditioning and fitness over the winter months. It is important to slowly and carefully build back up to fitness before we attempt too much.
First, check your dog?s weight. If you feel you can?t be objective, ask your veterinarian to evaluate your pet. You should easily be able to feel the ribs and your dog should have a ?waist.? If need be, gradually reduce your dog?s amount of food or if the amount is correct for your dog you will need to increase the exercise.
It goes without saying that your dog should be current on vaccines, on heartworm and parasite preventatives if needed and in good health. A dog with some obedience training and good socialization will be a welcome addition to many activities. Make sure you carry or pack water, some treats and poop baggies on your trips.
Start a slow, careful exercise program. Walking is excellent and be sure to think about footing. Walking along an asphalt road on a hot day may burn your pet?s feet. Fido also does not have the benefit of expensive trainer footware, so try to find hiking areas with decent footing. Jogging or biking can be excellent ways to improve your dog?s fitness, but you need to start slowly and be sure you have a safe area to run or bike. There is special equipment available to help prevent your canine partner from tipping your bike over but an avid squirrel chaser may not be the best biking partner! Always check your dog?s pads after a work out.
If Spot loves to swim, swimming is excellent exercise. Check ears frequently to guard against yeast infections and if need be help dry out a thick coat on hot, humid days to prevent the development of moist eczema ? also known as ?hotspots?. Never leave your dog out swimming alone. He could tire and need rescuing or could get disoriented and have trouble finding his way back to the right area of shore.
Some dogs are exercise fanatics and will retrieve toys or balls all day long. Make sure that most of your exercising is done at cool times of day. If it is really hot and humid, skip the workout for that day. Dogs can and do develop heatstroke so provide plenty of fresh cool water and make even the avid worker take some breaks. When I work sheep with my dogs in hot weather we work for 5 minutes or so, then I have the dogs head for the kiddie wading pool to cool off (meanwhile the sheep head for their water bucket and the shade!)
If you are trying new dog sports, make sure the equipment is appropriate and fits well on your dog. For example, our dogs are going to be backpacking this summer, so I am carefully fitting packs and starting to get the dogs used to wearing them with just very light loads so far. The fit of the packs should be checked every time they are worn as your pet may lose weight or need a tighter fit due to shedding hair.
After a long day exercising or a heavy workout your dog would love a nice massage. There are some excellent books and videos out showing various techniques. So far none of the ones I have checked tell how to teach your dog to massage you, but you can always try a nice shower.
With some care and planning your dog can be your partner in various activities all summer long. Happy Trails to You!
Related URL: http://www.gooddogmagazine.com/
Just as many of us are ?weekend warriors,? many of our dogs have lost conditioning and fitness over the winter months. It is important to slowly and carefully build back up to fitness before we attempt too much.
First, check your dog?s weight. If you feel you can?t be objective, ask your veterinarian to evaluate your pet. You should easily be able to feel the ribs and your dog should have a ?waist.? If need be, gradually reduce your dog?s amount of food or if the amount is correct for your dog you will need to increase the exercise.
It goes without saying that your dog should be current on vaccines, on heartworm and parasite preventatives if needed and in good health. A dog with some obedience training and good socialization will be a welcome addition to many activities. Make sure you carry or pack water, some treats and poop baggies on your trips.
Start a slow, careful exercise program. Walking is excellent and be sure to think about footing. Walking along an asphalt road on a hot day may burn your pet?s feet. Fido also does not have the benefit of expensive trainer footware, so try to find hiking areas with decent footing. Jogging or biking can be excellent ways to improve your dog?s fitness, but you need to start slowly and be sure you have a safe area to run or bike. There is special equipment available to help prevent your canine partner from tipping your bike over but an avid squirrel chaser may not be the best biking partner! Always check your dog?s pads after a work out.
If Spot loves to swim, swimming is excellent exercise. Check ears frequently to guard against yeast infections and if need be help dry out a thick coat on hot, humid days to prevent the development of moist eczema ? also known as ?hotspots?. Never leave your dog out swimming alone. He could tire and need rescuing or could get disoriented and have trouble finding his way back to the right area of shore.
Some dogs are exercise fanatics and will retrieve toys or balls all day long. Make sure that most of your exercising is done at cool times of day. If it is really hot and humid, skip the workout for that day. Dogs can and do develop heatstroke so provide plenty of fresh cool water and make even the avid worker take some breaks. When I work sheep with my dogs in hot weather we work for 5 minutes or so, then I have the dogs head for the kiddie wading pool to cool off (meanwhile the sheep head for their water bucket and the shade!)
If you are trying new dog sports, make sure the equipment is appropriate and fits well on your dog. For example, our dogs are going to be backpacking this summer, so I am carefully fitting packs and starting to get the dogs used to wearing them with just very light loads so far. The fit of the packs should be checked every time they are worn as your pet may lose weight or need a tighter fit due to shedding hair.
After a long day exercising or a heavy workout your dog would love a nice massage. There are some excellent books and videos out showing various techniques. So far none of the ones I have checked tell how to teach your dog to massage you, but you can always try a nice shower.
With some care and planning your dog can be your partner in various activities all summer long. Happy Trails to You!
Related URL: http://www.gooddogmagazine.com/
Article Posted: Archive post from old website - posted to new website April 2015
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