By Shelly Leibowitz
Exercising with your dog is one of the most rewarding and healthy ways to develop a deeper relationship with your pet. But, before you start exercising together, make sure your dog can handle the physical activity by getting your vet’s approval. Once you’re both ready, here are a few great ways to exercise with your dog.
Jogging
If you are already used to jogging, this will be the easiest way to exercise with your dog.
Consider the same things for your dog that you do for yourself. Pavement is harder on the knees than grass, and running on a track is ideal if you can find one that allows pets.
Beaches are also great places to run and jog, since the sand is easier on your joints and dogs are usually welcome.
If a road is your only option, remember that the darker the asphalt, the hotter, so check that it’s not too hot for your dog’s paws. If it recently snowed make sure to clean your dog’s paws once the jog is over to remove any road salt, sand or dirt that might irritate the sensitive parts of the paw between pads.
Lastly, if your dog is starting to look tired, it’s best to stop, rest, and have some water before moving on.
Swimming
Ensure safety for first timers by picking up a life jacket specifically designed for your pet. Some breeds take to the water like fish, but if yours doesn’t, there are still ways you can adjust and enjoy swimming together.
Start with a game of fetch; use a ball that can float, attached to a long rope. Once your dog’s gotten used to consistently returning the toy on your command, take to the water by throwing the ball in just far enough to get your dog’s ankles wet. Move further in with each throw and your dog will eventually start swimming.
When your buddy’s comfortable in the water, you can start swimming together. If you don’t have a nearby public lake, consider visiting a professional Canine Aquatic facility (I’m proud to say we broke ground on our very own dog-safe pool at The Green Leaf just weeks ago) where your dog can get used to swimming under careful supervision.
Biking
Biking will take some practice.
Start off with a lot of open space, like a big parking lot, so you have room to get used to riding together. If your dog is cautious or aggressive toward the bike, walk for a while before getting on and pedaling.
Once your dog is comfortable, try short practice rides. The key is getting your dog used to the bike and the potential surprises on the road (like kids darting out from between parked cars). Always ride with your dog on the right of your bike, between you and the curb (never between you and other moving vehicles).
From housebreaking, to the proper ways to approach a dog, and a whole lot more, I’ll be giving important tips for dogs and their owners through this column, so be sure to check back in two weeks.
Shelly Leibowitz has been training dogs in obedience, Schutzhund competition, and drug and explosives tracking for more than 40 years. He is the owner of Shelly’s School for Dogs, and recently opened The Green Leaf Pet Resort & Hotel in Millstone, New Jersey.
