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provided on the site are for information purposes only and should not be viewed as a recommendation or endorsement. Accuracy of information is the sole responsibility of the
owner of the listing and we cannot be held responsible for any misrepresentation. We reserve the right to refuse any listing at our sole discretion. The BeanTown Dogs website is
not affiliated or associated with any organization or business - It is a completely independent project. - Archie and Mum
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| Fitness for your Dog |
Exercising your Pet
You understand that exercise is good for you helping you to maintain a healthy weight,
keep your muscles and joints flexible and helping you live longer and feel better. For all
the same reasons, your pets need to get exercise too. Not only can exercise extend
your pets lives; it may also expend some of their nervous energy and make them a little
less likely to chew on the furniture.
Without you to lead the way, you're pet is not going to run laps or do 50 sit-ups. So as a
pet owner, part of your responsibility is to ensure your pets get safe, enjoyable exercise
on a regular basis. All pets need some physical activity to help them live a happy,
healthy life.
Different pets require different amounts of exercise, so it may be best to have a chat
with your vet before determining the correct level for your pets exercise.
Dogs can be great fun to exercise as they can get you out and about yourself. After
your vet gives your dog a clean bill of health, start your pet on suitable exercise for
beginners.
Just like people who aren't used to exercise, dogs should start off slow. Moderately
paced walking and swimming are a good way to start - then let your pet build their
cardiovascular and muscle strength without putting undue stress on their joints. A daily
10-15-minute walking or swimming session is a good start and you can build to an hour
a day if your pet seems up to it. If, after a few months your pet can handle long, fast
walks without fatigue, he could graduate to jogging with you.
Make sure that you watch out for the following:
Keep a close eye on your dog: watch for any unusual signs of fatigue or trouble
breathing. If your pet wants to stop, let them. Dogs that overdo it can suffer strained
tendons or ligaments or other orthopedic problems.
Safety first--keep your dog on a lead when you run. Even the best-trained dogs can run
into the path of a car. And if you have to run when it's dark out, put reflectors on your
dog's collar as well as on your clothes.
Try to run on dirt paths or grass as much as possible. Gravel, concrete, asphalt,
cinders and road salt can irritate your pets paws.
If it's freezing cold or hot and steamy out, either keep your run short or play a little
indoor fetch instead.
The more active your dog is, the more water he will require. Make sure your pet has
enough fresh water before and after your run. If you're going for a long run, take some
water along for both you and him.
You understand that exercise is good for you helping you to maintain a healthy weight,
keep your muscles and joints flexible and helping you live longer and feel better. For all
the same reasons, your pets need to get exercise too. Not only can exercise extend
your pets lives; it may also expend some of their nervous energy and make them a little
less likely to chew on the furniture.
Without you to lead the way, you're pet is not going to run laps or do 50 sit-ups. So as a
pet owner, part of your responsibility is to ensure your pets get safe, enjoyable exercise
on a regular basis. All pets need some physical activity to help them live a happy,
healthy life.
Different pets require different amounts of exercise, so it may be best to have a chat
with your vet before determining the correct level for your pets exercise.
Dogs can be great fun to exercise as they can get you out and about yourself. After
your vet gives your dog a clean bill of health, start your pet on suitable exercise for
beginners.
Just like people who aren't used to exercise, dogs should start off slow. Moderately
paced walking and swimming are a good way to start - then let your pet build their
cardiovascular and muscle strength without putting undue stress on their joints. A daily
10-15-minute walking or swimming session is a good start and you can build to an hour
a day if your pet seems up to it. If, after a few months your pet can handle long, fast
walks without fatigue, he could graduate to jogging with you.
Make sure that you watch out for the following:
Keep a close eye on your dog: watch for any unusual signs of fatigue or trouble
breathing. If your pet wants to stop, let them. Dogs that overdo it can suffer strained
tendons or ligaments or other orthopedic problems.
Safety first--keep your dog on a lead when you run. Even the best-trained dogs can run
into the path of a car. And if you have to run when it's dark out, put reflectors on your
dog's collar as well as on your clothes.
Try to run on dirt paths or grass as much as possible. Gravel, concrete, asphalt,
cinders and road salt can irritate your pets paws.
If it's freezing cold or hot and steamy out, either keep your run short or play a little
indoor fetch instead.
The more active your dog is, the more water he will require. Make sure your pet has
enough fresh water before and after your run. If you're going for a long run, take some
water along for both you and him.
What Works?
For dogs you have several options. You can
either break your routine into two, fifteen
minute sessions or if you and your pet are
up to it, you can do the full thirty minutes all
at once. Exercise options that work?
• You can play a vigorous game of fetch
• Go for a long walk
• Go for a jog
• You can play a wild game of chase
• If you have a water-loving breed, such as
a Retriever, you can even go swimming
• Any game you and your pet can play that
will get his heart pumping will do the job
For dogs you have several options. You can
either break your routine into two, fifteen
minute sessions or if you and your pet are
up to it, you can do the full thirty minutes all
at once. Exercise options that work?
• You can play a vigorous game of fetch
• Go for a long walk
• Go for a jog
• You can play a wild game of chase
• If you have a water-loving breed, such as
a Retriever, you can even go swimming
• Any game you and your pet can play that
will get his heart pumping will do the job
Make your walks interesting. Let your dog carry a box, a basket, or a toy while walking.
Let your dog jump or balance over a tree, hide his toys, hide yourself, and most
important – let him play with other dogs! Open the leash when another dog
approaches, to prevent “leash-aggression”. (Don’t worry, they will not kill each other).
A dog that tries to "guard" against all strangers is neither happy nor likely to live out a
full lifespan. Help your dog learn to enjoy other dogs and people.
Teach your dog to retrieve. A dog who retrieves is easy to exercise. But throw the toy
rather far than high. Jumping high in the air to chase it and landing awkwardly may lead
to serious knee injuries.
Some games to play
FIND IT
This one is great fun for the dog. Show your dog a treat or his favorite toy, and then
place it out of his sight but easily accessible in a dark room. Tell him to SEEK - his
success you will praise enthusiastically. Obviously, the rewards for the dog are multiple
- he gets a treat or finds his toy plus a very happy handler. If using a toy, be sure to
reward his find with some play before starting again.
You can increase the difficulty of FIND IT by hiding the dogs treats in less accessible
places, like in a shoe, or on a low shelf. This can be practiced indoors as well as
anywhere else!
Alternative exercise:
Tunnel exercise - Make a tunnel or maze with some old cardboard boxes or chairs and
encourage your dog to explore and go through it.
Concentration exercise – Hide some treats inside an old wash-glove or in a rolled up
towel, this is fun for your dog!
Brain exercise – Turnover a bowl and hide the treats under it. Doggie must use his
creativity to turn the bowl and get all treats. That is exciting exercise!
Let your dog jump or balance over a tree, hide his toys, hide yourself, and most
important – let him play with other dogs! Open the leash when another dog
approaches, to prevent “leash-aggression”. (Don’t worry, they will not kill each other).
A dog that tries to "guard" against all strangers is neither happy nor likely to live out a
full lifespan. Help your dog learn to enjoy other dogs and people.
Teach your dog to retrieve. A dog who retrieves is easy to exercise. But throw the toy
rather far than high. Jumping high in the air to chase it and landing awkwardly may lead
to serious knee injuries.
Some games to play
FIND IT
This one is great fun for the dog. Show your dog a treat or his favorite toy, and then
place it out of his sight but easily accessible in a dark room. Tell him to SEEK - his
success you will praise enthusiastically. Obviously, the rewards for the dog are multiple
- he gets a treat or finds his toy plus a very happy handler. If using a toy, be sure to
reward his find with some play before starting again.
You can increase the difficulty of FIND IT by hiding the dogs treats in less accessible
places, like in a shoe, or on a low shelf. This can be practiced indoors as well as
anywhere else!
Alternative exercise:
Tunnel exercise - Make a tunnel or maze with some old cardboard boxes or chairs and
encourage your dog to explore and go through it.
Concentration exercise – Hide some treats inside an old wash-glove or in a rolled up
towel, this is fun for your dog!
Brain exercise – Turnover a bowl and hide the treats under it. Doggie must use his
creativity to turn the bowl and get all treats. That is exciting exercise!
Post Workout
Your pet would probably appreciate a massage after a workout. If you are jogging with
your dog on city streets or sidewalks, you may want to check your dog's pads for cuts
and check between the pads for foreign objects. If hiking in the woods or in a field was
the activity of choice you may want to check for ticks.
Should you exercise your canine buddy at dusk or dawn consider using a reflective
collar, tag or leash for your dog.
Your pet would probably appreciate a massage after a workout. If you are jogging with
your dog on city streets or sidewalks, you may want to check your dog's pads for cuts
and check between the pads for foreign objects. If hiking in the woods or in a field was
the activity of choice you may want to check for ticks.
Should you exercise your canine buddy at dusk or dawn consider using a reflective
collar, tag or leash for your dog.
TIP
As a general rule of thumb, any dog
under one year of age, should not be
asked to do rigorous exercise, such as
jogging, as it may cause skeletal
problems since your dog is still growing.
As a general rule of thumb, any dog
under one year of age, should not be
asked to do rigorous exercise, such as
jogging, as it may cause skeletal
problems since your dog is still growing.
