|
Exercise
Your Fitness Options
Get Out and About With Your Dog
Release provided by Rimadyl Carprofen and Pfizer, Inc.
Need some
motivation to get out and move? It might be sitting right
at your feet. Dogs can be wonderful exercise companions --
whether you aim to burn calories, compete or simply enjoy
the great outdoors.
And as
exercise partners go, they're also very flexible. Dogs will
enjoy a quick run around the block or participating in a sport
designed with them in mind. Try a few of these activities
to include your dog in your favorite sports pastime.
Walking.
Dogs make great companions for strolling, race-walking or
any pace in between. Make a daily date to traverse your neighborhood
with a few friends and their pooches. You might even take
your dog along as you explore new areas of your city or town
on foot.
Flyball.
In this fast-paced, up-and-coming sport, dogs compete in teams
of four. They run and jump down a course of four hurdles,
hit a spring-loaded box, grab the tennis ball that flies out
and run back down the course. Check out www.flyball.org
for flyball information in your local area.
Agility.
The object of agility is for a dog to make it through an obstacle
course with only its owner's voice as a guide. Obstacles include
jumping through a hanging tire, scaling planks, running up
and down an A-frame, and other challenges. Check out www.nadac.com
for agility training courses in your local area.
Running.
Your dog may be just the motivation you need to help you prepare
for that 5K race. As with any new activity, start slowly when
you run with your dog. He needs time to get in shape, too.
Tracking.
Train your dog to locate objects by following scents on a
trail for fun or sport. Books and videos are available if
you're interested in teaching your dog to track, or check
your local directory for information about local tracking
clubs.
Obedience.
Training prepares dogs for a host of other activities throughout
their lives. Once dogs can come when called, sit, stay, heel
and lie down on command, they're ready to participate in any
number of dog or people sports. Obedience training also gives
dogs a good mental workout. Check out www.akc.org
for obedience classes in your local area.
Hiking.
Dogs make great hiking companions. They can carry their own
food and water in a pack on their backs. Before you go, make
sure dogs are allowed in the park or on the trails. Before
a long hike or trip, include your pet in your training schedule
so she is in top physical condition.
Exercise
Caution. With any new exercise program, start slowly to
give your dog time to get in shape. Contact your veterinarian
with questions about your dog's ability to participate in
the activity. A pet that seems reluctant to exercise may be
showing the early signs of osteoarthritis, a progressive joint
disease present in more than eight million adult dogs. Signs
can be very subtle, and even dogs that exercise at a moderate
level regularly without any signs of pain may experience mild
cases of osteoarthritis such as slight stiffness and soreness
after particularly heavy bouts of exercise.
|
www.dogandkennel.com
