Exercising with your beloved dog is a great way to bond with one another, and get a great cardio workout in at the same time. However, while this is a lot of fun, it can also be dangerous if you don’t take the right precautions. Use the following safety tips to make sure you both stay safe while getting fit:
Make Sure Your Dog is Fit Enough
You should always have your dog seen to by a vet to make sure they’re fit enough to come running, biking, and do other physical activities with you. The dog’s age needs to be taken into account too – you need to be very careful with puppies, and older dogs should be careful too.
Don’t Jump Straight In
You need to work your way up to a more intense workout routine rather than jumping straight into it. Start slowly, and always do a warmup. Build up your dog’s stamina before attempting anything too intense.
What Breed is the Dog?
Some breeds are better equipped for exercise than others. For example, bulldogs and pugs have breathing problems, and Border Collies can develop hip issues. Greyhounds do well with short sprints, while pit bulls have a higher endurance and can go longer distances. Research the breed to make sure they’re suitable for what you’d like to do.
Make Sure Your Dog Stays to One Side of You
No matter what your doing, your dog should stay to one side of you at all times. No matter if you’re biking, hiking, walking, rollerblading, or something else, you need to be careful. If you let your dog dart in front of you this could cause a trip and injury to the both of you. Make sure your dog knows to stay to the side of you at all times. Also, dogs that pull on the lead could cause damage to their throat.
Look at the Weather
Environmental factors are important when exercising with your dog. The temperature should be cool, as dogs can burn their paws in summer. Rocky terrain should be avoided, and you should always wash your dog’s paws after running in the snow or ice to rid them of any chemicals used on the ground.
Carry Water
If you’re exercising for a long while, especially in warmer weather, you should always carry enough water for yourself and your dog. Your dog can easily overheat, so make sure you stop every now and again to give them a drink and perhaps a treat.
Use Proper Safety Equipment
There’s a lot of safety equipment out there for active dogs, so make sure you have everything you need to keep the sessions you have as safe as possible. K9Active have a wide range of products suited to active dogs and owners.
Don’t Push Too Hard
Don’t push your dog too hard, as it’s easy to overdo it. Make sure you pay attention to how they’re breathing and whether they look tired or sore. Additionally, look out for signs of aggressive behaviour like excessive barking or growling at passersby. In case you notice such tendencies, you may implement simple commands to establish control during walks. Alternatively, you can approach professionals at Fusion Dog Training and equivalent firms, who can use science-based methods to train dogs for a fulfilling engagement.
After you are done exercising, you should check your dog over for any scrapes, cuts, or worn down pads. You may also want to check for ticks and other foreign objects. Plenty of water and rest is essential for both you and your dog when you get home!