Why Walking Dogs Is Important

Why walking dogs is important…

I learned about walking dogs from my family. We used to walk our family dog every day.  I learned dogs need regular exercise much like humans do.  It helps with cardio health, joint health and mental health.  A dog that doesn’t get enough exercise is prone to hyperactivity where they might start digging up the back yard, escaping or barking a lot more. Walking dogs will help keep them happy and content. It also helps keep your dog from getting pudgy, alongside a healthy diet of course. Keeping dogs within a healthy weight range helps keep them from issues such as heart and respiratory disease, joint problems and blood pressure problems.

Different breeds have different exercise needs.  For example working dogs such as Kelpie’s need more aerobic exercise compared to pugs that, because of their short noses shouldn’t run or swim. Age is also a big factor with exercise.  I have seen this with my dogs.  For example Cody, who is a Dalmatian cross, used to run around a lot on the farm, he would also sprint for about 500m of our long driveway and I used to be able to run him on the lead when he was young.  Cody is now 11 years old and has arthritis.  With advice from his vet and the use of medication and supplements, I still walk him but I let him dictate how long. He loves walking and I know he would walk not matter how stiff his joints are so I walk him with his fursisters for 15 minutes each day.  He bounds ahead, like he is still a year old, for about a minute or 2. Then he walks normally and then he slows up. He just loves to get out and smell the dog equivalent of the roses, mark his territory and be with his fursisters.

It is important to take into account the individual needs when walking dogs.  My border collie cattle X who is only 6 months younger than Cody, needs a longer walk, she has a lot more energy and is not held back by any illnesses.  This is why she gets an extra walk each day for at least 20 minutes she has a great pace the whole walk and sometimes we have a little run. The little English Staffy that I walk has the cutest short legs that can go so fast. Yet my Great Dane walked so slowly and purposefully.

The weather is also a big indicator on the type of walk a dog needs.  Obviously in the heat it is best to walk dog in the cooler times of the day, or I do occasionally, take your dog(s) for a short walk to a local creek or a dog friendly beach so they can stay cool.  We have to make sure our dogs paws aren’t feeling the heat on the pavement or road.  A good way rule of thumb is to put your own hand on the ground for a few seconds and if it’s too hot for your hand it’s too hot for their paws. As for the rain…. well I’m the crazy dog owner who still walks her dogs in the rain, albeit light rain.  If your dog doesn’t mind I’d do the same for them.

Here is a link with some information about obesity in dogs.

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/healthy-dog-tips-13/video-dog-obesity