Dog Excrcise Program

By Gillian Ridgeway

At the beginning of February, when that little groundhog fulfills his number one obligation of reminding us that spring will someday arrive, it is hard to believe that we will ever see the snow melt. The winter doldrums seem to be inevitable and every year the wait for sunshine, barbecues and even mowing the lawn is like a watching your hair grow. You never see it happen, just one day it is there. One of the best ways to cure the February blahs is to start an exercise program. This will not only lessen the stress levels of the long winter days but tone us up ready for poolside in July.

Our dogs are great companions for one of the best fitness programs around…walking. In fact, many people find it easier to make a commitment to their furry companion than to make a commitment to themselves. A daily brisk walk will help bring you out into the sunlight, which can help to combat the blues. Nature has a natural calming effect and watching the seasons change day by day can help in the anticipation of the first sign of spring, those small purple and white crocus bulbs peeking out through the snow. Starting a fitness program with your dog should be done step by step. It is not a good idea for either of you to overdue it at the beginning. Start slowly with a warm up, and work your way up to a brisk pace over time. Watch your dog for signs of fatigue, panting or slowing down and rest at appropriate times. Lets face it…your own signs of fatigue may be evident long before your dog shows any! Make sure your dog’s feet are protected with boots or with an ointment specially formulated to help protect the pads from salt. If it is particularly icy, choose a route that has been cleared. If you build up any distance, bring along a water bottle for yourself and pack a canteen or a collapsible dish for your dog and make sure you are both hydrated frequently on route.

As we are now aware, this type of sustained aerobic activity can help reduce stress levels in humans. This type of exercise also affects dogs in a positive way. Many of us would prefer to spend the first couple of months of each year in hibernation, and during these times our television watching and Internet surfing becomes a larger part of our day. Our dogs do not have this type of distraction and therefore devise other ways to amuse themselves. Many family pets become destructive during the winter months, often chewing household furniture and belongings. Yes, dogs suffer from stress related disorders, often from a change in routine. Getting your dog out, rain or shine or sleet or snow for regular daily exercise should help his stress levels and curb unwanted behaviors. It is important to remember that the cool down is equally important to the warm up. If your walk has been particularly strenuous, take an extra lap around the block at a slower pace. Stretching out your muscles upon returning home will help avoid your muscle stiffening and giving your dog a good rub down, concentrating on massaging the major muscle groups, will help him immensely. The next few days of your program can make or break it, as every bone in your body aches. The hardest part is usually getting started. Once you have settled into a routine, the benefits will be so great that this habit will be hard to break, especially when you consider how important this time is for you and your dog to spend together. Come spring the pair of you will be in great shape and who knows, a marathon may be just around the corner.

Gillian Ridgeway, AHT, has worked with dogs for over 33 years. She is director of Who’s Walking Who in Toronto and Ajax. A consultant for TorontoBarks.com, Gillian also writes for Dogs, Dogs, Dogs!, Dogs in Canada. She has appeared on Dogs in Canada TV, Global television, Q107 radio and in Toronto Life, and is co-author of the book, “Citizen Canine.” She travels with the Iams SuperDogs Performance team and teaches learning theory at University of Toronto. Gillian can be contacted at 416-465-3626; www.whoswalkingwho.net

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