- Your puppy may
be as out of shape as you, so go easy.
- Before
starting out on your exercise
program, have the pupper checked by a veterinarian (his heart,
lungs, joints, etc.). By the way, if you haven't been exercising for some
time, you may want to consider a checkup as well.
- Start out slowly and build up endurance.
Warm him up by walking first, followed by a short jog. Let him cool down with a walk at the end. Watch dogs carefully for any signs of discomfort. They’re eager to please and yours will be thrilled to be out running with you. Unlike you, they'll ignore or even be unaware of pain. If you see him struggling or tiring, walk.
Mind the weather. Remember dogs cannot tolerate heat as efficiently as you can. Consequently, they're at greater risk for heat stroke or dehydration during warm weather. The best time to jog is early in the morning or the evening, to avoid the hottest time of day.
Bring enough water for yourself and your dog. You should also be aware of the ground you're running on. Your dog doesn't have NIKE Air’s - he's running on his own pads. If he's been cooped up inside, the pads will likely be soft. Give him time to build endurance by walking for a distance, then some running, followed by walking. As his pads toughen, you can increase the time you spend running.
If you see signs of overheating, stop immediately and cool him down slowly with cool or tepid water (not cold).
Excessive panting
Increased salivation
Red gums
Increased heart rate
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Weakness
See training Fido isn’t too far from training yourself!
