Make Your Dog Your Exercise Buddy

Are you interested in starting an exercise program, or increasing your level of exercise? How about exercising with your dog? Dog's are terrific exercise buddies. A dog's enthusiasm can be contagious, making them extremely motivating for walkers, runners and joggers. Dogs love to get out an play and be active and they love reminding you to get off the sofa and start exercising.

When you start on an exercise program with your "best friend" consider their special needs, so you can both get your heart rate going and improve your health.

1. Consider your dog's physical characteristics, age and condition. If you and your dog have gotten sedentary, start gradually, for both of your sakes. If you have an older, heavier dog, they will need to start gradually, and take off the weight and develop the muscles, just like you do. The difference is that they have shorter legs. A small dog may not be able to take you for a mile's walk, but even a short walk is beneficial to both of you. Small or older dogs probably aren't going to keep up with a jogging program, but will enjoy a good walk.

2. Keep consistent, for both of your sakes. It is better to get regular exercise of short duration, then to take a three mile walk once a month. Overdoing it on occasion will result in sore, tired muscles for both of you, but will probably be harder on your dog. Spending a ten or twenty minute walk with your dog daily is better then getting overambitious sporadically and risking injury. Your pet will love the daily time together and so will you. Gradually, you can increase the amount of time and distance.

3. Proper vaccinations are important, as you and your dog will likely encounter other people and dogs of the sidewalks and trails. While you are getting the vaccinations, check with your vet to make sure that your pet is in physical condition to start a regular exercise regime.

4. Keep your dog on a leash. Even though is may be fun to let your dog run, other dogs and animals have a way of distracting them. It only takes a few seconds for a dog to run into the road and get hit, which would be a disaster for both of you. If you want to let your dog have a little more play space, get a retractable leash, which gives them about 15 to 20 feet of play space.

5. Remember that your dog needs proper conditioning, just like humans. Start slowly and build speed and mileage gradually.

6. It's also important to remember that while you are probably wearing proper, cushioned, footwear, your dog is walking on their footpads. They won't be able to tell you if their feet are getting sore. Watch them for signs of soreness, pain, or limping. Your dog may be walking on pavement, which can be either hot or cold, depending of weather. The ground may be wet or freezing. If you live in an area where they salt the streets during the winter, your dogs pads may get injured and burned by the strong chemical in the salt. Check your dog's foot pads frequently. If they do get salt on their feet, wash the salt off when you get home to avoid further injury.

7. Pay attention to the heat index. Overexercise can be dangerous for dogs in the summer heat, because dogs don't sweat. They only dissipate heat by panting or through the pads of their feet. If they are walking on hot pavement, they will not be able to rely on dissipating heat through the pads of the feet.

8. Make sure your pet gets plenty of water before and after exercise.

9. Avoid vigorous running right after your dog has eaten . Running on a full stomach can be very uncomfortable for your dog. If you want avoid having your dog experience cramping, indigestion, and possibly vomiting, it is best to feed you dog after the workout. Let your pet cool down and calm down before feeding.

10. Remember that you need to exercise at your dog's pace, not the other way around. If your dog is not up to your fitness level, make exercising with your dog a fun additional activity, but not your primary workout.

Starting an exercise program with you canine companion should be enjoyable and healthy for both of you. While you are at it, you can get out and see the world around you and possibility meet new people and make new friends in the process. Dogs are great socializer's and conversation starters.

Before starting an exercise program, consult your physician.