Colin McDonald

Exercise your dog to good health

Since the weather has now taken a  warmer turn, it is likely that many people will want to allow their pets more  time outdoors for play. Just as our children need to heed to certain guidelines  for safety and soundness, so does your dog.

Keeping your dog  healthy through exercise

Since the weather has now taken a  warmer turn, it is likely that many people will want to allow their pets more  time outdoors for play. Just as our children need to heed to certain guidelines  for safety and soundness, so does your dog.

Your dog’s basic overall health  really depends on his size, weight and breed type. Obviously, the larger kind  of breed your pet is, the more space is needed to provide for his or her  exercising needs. Of course, walks in the park are a recreational way for both  dog and owner to keep fit in spare time, but what about the times when you are  unable to take your dog out to the park?
 
As a responsible pet owner, it is your duty to see that your dog gets the  proper amount of exercise as is significant for maintaining their well being.  Many owners of the larger breeds of dogs may keep their animals outside while  they are out working or attending other functions with the family that don’t  allow pets. However, keeping your dog tied to his doghouse or a tree while you  are away does not constitute for proper care and exercise. Most dogs will bore  of this and eventually find ways to entertain themselves; like breaking free  and exploring the neighbourhood.
 
The best part about owning a dog of any size is that it requires that everyone  in the family pitch in for its care. If walks in the park are out of the  question then try getting the kids to walk the dog before going off to school  or some other event. Purchasing a fence for your yard where the dog can run about  on its own while you’re busy is another option.

Leaving a dog to entertain itself is  an okay back up plan, but you didn’t get a dog to just leave it in the backyard.  Interaction and companionship is what you wanted from your pet, so interact with  it!

Playing Frisbee and fetch with a ball  or a stick is an excellent way to build muscle in your pet and it entertains  everyone in the process. If your dog is the kind that loves to travel, then  taking him with you on long trips such as when you’re camping are another way  that you and your pet can achieve exercise while getting involved with new  scenery and learning about nature.
 
While having fun with your dog, however keep in mind that like you, he also  needs periods of rest and plenty of water in order to stay hydrated throughout  an eventful day, especially during the summer months because dogs are unable to  sweat as humans do, therefore their only means of cooling themselves is through  panting, which also helps to keep their blood circulated and flowing in a regular fashion.

If your dog is kept outdoors for long  periods of time throughout the day then make sure that he has plenty of water  and has access to a lot of shade where he can stay cool and protected from the  heat. Lastly, remember that if you start a regular exercise routine or pattern  with your dog to keep it going. The only way to make a healthy pet is to be  consistent and also, to keep it interesting, mix up the routine every once in a  while to keep both of you from boredom.

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