Playing With Your Dog

We all need time to play and your pet is no exception. Your dog will sleep better and experience fewer behavioral problems with frequent exercise. Here are a few tips to help you and your dog on your way to better health.

If exercise is new to your dog or if you are exposing him to a new sport, begin slowly and gradually increase the duration and level of activity.

Make certain to keep your dog hydrated. Take along a supply of water and give some to your dog during rest periods. Always be aware of the temperature and the climate so your pet does not suffer from heat exhaustion.

Pay attention to signs of fatigue. If your dog sits down while you are playing she may be fatigued and need a break.

Walking and running with your dog are always good forms of exercise. The intensity level can be increases for dogs in good health or lessened for older, sickly or physically impaired pets. Try to keep walks between 20 to 40 minutes; enough time for your pet to derive the benefit of the exercise, but not too much to create fatigue.

Vary the games you play with your dog such as fetch, ball retrieval, Frisbee, agility training exercises and flyball.

When training your dog to play Frisbee, begin with a small fabric covered disk. If your dog takes to the sport and shows an aptitude, switch to a regular Frisbee for your play time.

Some dogs love agility training and even progress to competitions. Agility training exercises include jumping through tires, climbing steep inclines, running through dog tunnels, walking beams, and weaving through poles. The rapid pace of these events make dogs think and use their skills to navigate the course successfully. For more information on agility exercises and competitions contact the United State Dog Agility Association at http://www.usdaa.com/ or call them at 972.487.2200.

Before you take your dog for a jog, check with your vet to make certain your pet is in good health and capable of such strenuous activity. Avoid running during midday when the temperature is hottest. Running on grass, sand or softer surfaces help protect your dog’s pads and provide some cushion. If you run in the evening or at night, make certain you and your dog wear garments with reflective tape to make you more visible.

On inclement days, it is still important for your dog to get exercise. A good game of hide and seek may do the trick.

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Taking Your Pet to the Dog Park

As the number of dog parks increase, it is important for your pet to put his best paw forward when out romping.

Before going to the dog park make certain your dog’s vaccinations are current and your pet is familiar with commands such as sit, stay and come. Even when he is off the leash, make certain you have control over your pet to keep her out of harms way.

Make certain your pet is wearing an ID tag and that the information is current.

Leave little pups at home until their immune systems have developed fully and they are able to listen to and heed your commands fully.

Know your dog’s temperament. Some aggressive dogs will not do well at a dog park or more timid dogs may be overwhelmed by the number of dogs and general chaos. Plan ahead and have an exit trategy should events go awry. For his safety, watch your dog at all times.

Bring water in case your dog gets thirsty.

For a listing of dog parks in the United States and Canada go to http://www.dogpark.com/

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Running With Your Dog

Dogs love to go out to play. When you take your dog out for a romp, remember a few helpful tips that will make your time together safer and more pleasant.

Avoid running during mid-day when the temperature is hottest and both you and your dog could become dehydrated.

Before you and your dog go for a run, check with your vet to get a clean bill of health.

Run on grass of softer surfaces such as sand to help cushion your dog’s paw pads.

Try a leather leash while running with your dog. Leather is easier to hold and cuts into the hand less.

When running at night, both you and your dog should wear reflective tape and/or carry safety lights to make seeing you easier.

For joint pain, lightly dampen a towel and place it in the microwave for 45 to 55 seconds. Place the warm towel on your dog’s sore joints until it loses its heat. Check the towel’s temperature before applying it to your dog.

If you run during the day, remember to carry water for both you and your pet.

After jogging, check your dog’s paws for cuts, scratches or abrasions.

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