Active dogs, like herding, sporting and working breeds, need more exercise than a walk can provide. Some owners of such dog breeds take their pets with them when they jog. This offers good exercise for the dog, but has to be done safely.
To begin with, first bring your dog to a veterinarian for a complete checkup to ensure that the dog is healthy. Dogs may appear healthy on the outside, when in fact they may sometimes have physical problems that you may not be aware of. Elbow or hip dysplasia, for instance, may worsen with strenuous exercise, and younger and older dogs may get injured from all the running. A thorough checkup will make sure whether your dog's all right and fit to jog.
Next, refresh your dog's memory with regards to obedience training. Make sure the dog will walk and jog only at your side. Don't let him pull on the leash by running ahead, as it will give him sore neck and shoulder muscles, in addition to making the jog stressful instead of enjoyable for you. If you let him pull at the leash, you'll end up having straining yourself and suffer less control over your dog. Make sure the dog runs on your side in a nice heel position, with neck and shoulders by your leg. If you have a hard time teaching your dog this position, ask help from an obedience instructor.
Start the jog gradually, especially if either you or your dog is a couch potato. Too much exercise too soon will result in sore muscles for both of you. Initially, you may alternate walking and jogging - Jog one block, walk the next, then jog the one after. Maintain a slower speed and shorter distance until you and your dog are comfortable with both, then gradually increase the distance in subsequent jogs.
It's safer to jog on softer surfaces than on concrete, because repeated jarring on concrete can damage bones and joints. Asphalt is a much better jogging surface - just don't jog on asphalt baked under the sun, or your dog would much rather stay home. In general, grass and sand is also a good surface to run on for both of you. Just watch out for ruts or holes to prevent both of you from tripping and hurting yourselves.
After jogging, look at your dog's paws. See if his foot pads become cut, scraped, burned, or bruised during the jog. Such injuries heal on their own fairly quickly, but you still need to keep his foot pads clean and dry, as well as let your dog stay home until they heal. If walking is painful for your dog and his foot pads are visibly cut or badly burned, take him to his veterinarian.
Jogging constitutes a great cardiovascular workout for you and your dog. It builds stamina, strengthens resistance against illness, and relieves accumulated stress (yours from work, his from boredom). Once you find a good, safe route to run, your dog will be begging to tag along when he sees you put on those running shoes.
New Buy Huggies Diapers Inversion Table Therapy Buy Online Lowest Price Under Cabinet Led Lighting
