Exercising works wonders for your health. It helps you increase your energy levels, maintain a healthy weight and manage stress. But a lot of people complain that it is too dull and hence they cannot keep up with their schedule. Having a workout buddy solves this problem and increases your likelihood of exercising manifold. And who is your best exercise buddy in the world? That's right; it is your pet dog!
Why? You ask. There are many reasons for it, such as:
- Your pet is never late for a workout session and will not make excuses for not turning up at all;
- The enthusiasm of your pet is contagious. It will also reflect in your workout enthusiasm;
- Your pet has more stamina than you so he can push you to the limits; and so on.
To be a pet owner, you need to know that pets, especially dogs need regular exercise to have a happy and healthy life. Not only will exercise help them live longer, but an exercising animal is also more alert and more content. Exercising with your dog is beneficial to you both. It helps you with weight maintenance and aids building a great relationship with your dog. In addition, pets have been shown to reduce anxiety, and decrease feelings of loneliness and depression.
You can easily turn your pet into your exercise buddy in no time at all. Whether you like to run, walk, or play in the backyard with your pet, you can get your own workout at the same time. But different breeds require different amounts of exercise, so it may be best to have a chat with your vet before determining the correct level for your pet's exercise.
Walking is the very best exercises for both you and your dog, especially if you are new to exercising. Walking is a great low-impact, calorie-burning exercise as well as the most convenient of all the various exercises. Other exercises that can be incorporated in the schedule include jogging, swimming, fetching, flyball, frisbee, hiking, stair climbing etc.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
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Safety first. Keep your dog on a leash when you run. Even the best-trained dogs can run into the path of a car or a territorial animal.
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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, and gradually increase the time and intensity of the activity.
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Keep a close eye on your dog: watch for any unusual signs of fatigue or trouble breathing. You need to slow down or stop if your dog is panting excessively, breathing fast, drooling, or staggering. Dogs that overdo it can suffer strained tendons or ligaments or other orthopedic problems.
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Just like people, dogs are susceptible to dehydration and heat exhaustion. Bring along a water bottle and collapsible drinking bowl to help your pet stay dehydrated. Signs of dehydration in dogs include excessive panting, weakness, confusion, and collapse.
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Try to walk or run on dirt paths (or grass) as much as possible. Long walks or runs on asphalt or concrete can damage a dog's paws, especially on hot days.
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Swimming is another popular cardiovascular exercise to do with dogs, but they should be closely supervised in lakes or oceans, even in pools.
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Avoid strenuous exercise with your pet until they are finished growing. For most dogs, this is between nine and twelve months, and at least eighteen months for the giants like the Great Dane and Saint Bernard.
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Take it easy in extreme weather. If it's freezing cold or hot and steamy out, either keep your run short or play a little indoor fetch instead.
Dog owners will discover that ensuring their dog has a habitual daily exercise period will not only benefit their canine companion, but will also have great fitness advantages for themselves.
