Why Exercise Is Important For Dogs？

Just like humans, dogs gain health benefits from regular exercise. An important aspect of promoting, strengthening, extending and strengthening our partnerships with canines is keeping them strong and healthy through physical activity.

Obesity is on the rise in dogs, with horrific negative consequences - increased risk of diabetes, increased risk of cancer, increased likelihood of joint damage and subsequent osteoarthritis.

What's the best way for me to exercise my dog?

The best exercise for our dogs depends on answering a few key questions listed below. It is best to consult your veterinarian before starting any regular physical fitness program for your dog. He or she can help guide you in choosing activities and create an individualized conditioning plan for your dog.

"Consult your veterinarian before starting any regular physical fitness program for your dog."

Your veterinarian may ask you the following types of questions to help you determine the best way to exercise your dog.

1. What is the age, physical condition and health of your dog? Your veterinarian can not only help you answer these questions, but also use the answers to determine the right exercise for your dog. Some general rules and recommendations:

Puppies with growing bones can suffer bone trauma from repeated concussions from long-distance running. They do a better job in short games that set the tempo. Walking on a leash is usually fine for them, but be careful with your timing so you don't overdo it.

For example, a short-nosed (brachycephalic) dog like a pug or a long-tailed dog requires a different cardiovascular conditioning program than a golden retriever.

Overweight and obese dogs are more prone to joint damage that can cause or worsen OA. Starting and stopping chasing the ball suddenly can be a poor choice for them.

Likewise, overweight and obese dogs have a hard time calming down, so their activity program should be modified for younger, normal-weight dogs.

In the end, you want to make sure your dog's heart and lungs are healthy and ready for more activity.

2. What activities does your dog like?

Some dogs are born to retrieve. For them, the game of fetch can go on and on and they'll be happy. Other dogs have no interest in bringing back toys that we insist on throwing away repeatedly.

Some dogs enjoy swimming, but not all dogs enjoy swimming in water. Never assume your dog likes water or knows how to swim. You don't want to develop a phobia of the water, so introduce swimming gradually. If your dog doesn't like drinking water, don't worry. There are many other great fitness activities as well.

"Basic obedience training sets the stage for successful walks and inevitable interactions with other people and their dogs."

Walking remains the cornerstone of canine health. It's easy, doesn't require much equipment, can be done almost anywhere, and it's good for people. There are many ways to make walking easier, better and safer for dogs and people.

Basic obedience training sets the stage for successful walks and inevitable interactions with other people and their dogs.

Whether you choose a plain collar, a braided nylon strap harness, a vest style fabric harness, or a hood will come down to personal preference and what combination is most comfortable and effective for you and your dog. Harnesses are usually best for walking small dogs, puppies, and dogs with short muzzles or easily compressed windpipes (windpipes).

3. What activities do you like? We do what we love best and most consistently. So when you're creating an exercise program for your dog, think carefully about what you like to do.

You'll need to create a canine exercise program that you want to maintain, whether it's walking, jogging, hiking, or supervised fetch or swimming. If it's fun for us and our dog, we'll find fewer excuses to stay on the couch.

4. How long can your dog comfortably exercise at a time? This is definitely a question best answered with the help of your veterinarian. He or she has the ability to assess your dog's initial fitness level.

It is important to evaluate your dog for any underlying metabolic or musculoskeletal problems that could interfere with physical activity. For example, pain in any part of the body can affect the comfort and safety of a canine fitness program. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can impair energy and stamina. Undiagnosed underlying heart disease can be dangerous.

How do I create an exercise program once I have some activities in mind?

Like a fitness program for humans, steady, gradual conditioning is best for dogs. Your veterinarian can play an important role in helping you choose the right goals for your canine fitness program, including how long to exercise at a time and how to adjust specific activities to best suit your dog's individual needs.

"Just like a fitness program for humans, steady, gradual conditioning is best for dogs."

Consistency is the key to success when conditioning a dog to increase health. A 20-minute daily walk is much better than a 2-hour Sunday walk. Slow, steady increases in time and intensity help avoid injury and are more comfortable for the dog. For dogs that need an extra challenge, you can advance to more intense activities such as field trials, flyball, or agility competitions.

Whatever your dog's ultimate fitness and exercise goals, let common sense basics guide you. Involve your veterinarian in providing a medical opinion, and let's get started! Your dog will thank you.