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As you
exercise with your dog, consider its
needs and present physical condition.
Leisurely walks may be best for an older
dog while a young puppy has ample energy
for a vigorous exercise program.
If your
dog has more energy to expend than you
do, teach it to fetch a ball or a
Frisbee. The activity may be just right
for you and a challenging exercise for
your dog.
If, for
whatever reason, you have not exercised
your dog regularly and decide to launch
a regular exercise program, go slow at
first. Begin with short periods of
activity at slow speeds and gradually
increase the time, speed and distance.
Begin
walking or running your dog on soft
surfaces such as dirt, sand or grass
until its pads toughen. Keep your dog's
nails trimmed so they won't tear as it
runs.
Keeping
your dog on a leash gives you control
when walking or running. If you exercise
at night, place a reflective collar on
your dog and use a bright colored leash
to alert passersby of your approach. You
should wear white or light-colored
clothing so you can also be seen.
Avoid
exercising your dog immediately before
or after it is fed. A full stomach may
cause digestive upsets. Provide only
small amounts of water before and
directly after exercise.
Weather
conditions are an important
consideration as you exercise your pet.
Dogs can suffer from frostbite and heat
stroke just as people do. Remember that
a dog's feet can be damaged by hot
asphalt during the summer. Check your
dog's feet for the presence of burrs,
grass, thorns, rocks or ice and snow,
all of which should be removed
immediately.
If you
walk your dog in wooded areas during the
summer, check its eyes, haircoat and
feet for foxtail, seeds and dirt. If
these irritants are in the dog's eyes,
they should be removed by washing the
eyes with a one or two percent boric
acid solution. Avoid touching or rubbing
the eyeball. Burrs on long-haired dogs
should be worked out by hand, using the
thumb and forefinger.
Check
carefully for ticks. Care must be taken
to remove the entire head and the tick's
mouth parts. Twisting or jerking may
cause part of the mouth to break off in
the skin, possibly causing chronic
irritation. Avoid handling ticks with
bare hands. Use tweezers or protect the
hands with latex gloves or a paper
tissue. Always wash your hands
thoroughly and disinfect the bite site.
Keep
"doggy towels" handy to dry your dog
following a walk in the rain or snow.
Dogs with short, smooth haircoats may
require the warmth of a dog coat or
sweater when they go outside during cold
weather.
If your
dog is well-trained, you may be able to
take if off leash in public parks or in
dog parks where dogs are allowed to run.
Check with local authorities to find out
what local laws allow. Before letting
your dog run off-leash, use a long leash
or rope to accustom it to running in the
area and train it to come to you on
command.
As you
walk your dog, train it to walk at your
side to help control it so it won't jump
on children or adults, frightening them
or possibly injuring them. Proper
training also keeps your dog from
jumping on other dogs.
It's
important to know local laws. Many
municipalities have "pooper scooper"
laws requiring owners to clean up after
their pets. Other laws require that dogs
be walked on a leash. Your police
department or animal control department
can tell you more about laws in your
municipality.
If your
dog has a history of medical problems,
work with your veterinarian to plan an
appropriate exercise program. If
exercise makes your dog lame or if it
tires easily, consult your veterinarian.
Whatever exercise program you pursue,
remember that your dog loves to spend
time with you, and you can make that
time special. |
