[Zoey and Ellie: BFFs. Photo credit: Lisa Dombroski]
Today is Take Your Dog to Work Day, which Erica pointed out in the comments section of the CrossFit Philly blog yesterday. But if taking yer pooch to work isn't possible, consider making him or her your workout buddy.
"Forty percent of pet dogs are overweight or obese. That's close to thirty million dogs in the United States alone dealing with health implications of weight problems ... like diabetes, heart problems, aching joints, difficulty breathing, intolerance of exercise, even an increased risk of cancer," according to Fitness Unleashed!: A Dog and Owner's Guide to Losing Weight and Gaining Health Together by Marty Becker, DVM, and Robert Kushner, MD. So gradually amping up the exercise is good for both of you.
Many of you are already out there with Buffy, Fluffy and Spike. According to this Fit Sugar post, which cites research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, dog owners walk an average of 300 minutes per week, whereas folks without dogs only walk around 168 minutes.
Co-owners of Thank Dog Boot Camp, Jill and Jamie Bowers (don't you love aptonyms?), have based a business on the concept of working out with your doggie friend, and I think they're on to something. Lately, I've been working out early in the morning with a group of friends, and taking the pooches pictured above for a trail run by Wissahickon Creek afterward. Their sheer joy in being unleashed upon nature is almost enough to make me forget about the pain and tightness in my lower calves. Almost. (But on my to-do list is getting my gait checked out, because something is up. Jogging should not be so painful.)
LASTLY, I CAME ACROSS AN ARTICLE about the very cool Seattle Animal Shelter's Get Fit With Fido program. Every Wednesday and Saturday, you can volunteer to run adoptable dogs from the shelter on 2- to 4-mile routes. The volunteers wear bright yellow, and the dogs wear "I'm available for adoption" banners.
The program has been so successful that there's a spinoff (kind of like "Private Practice") called the SAS Annual Furry 5K, where 2,500 runners/walkers, 1,000 dogs, and one "very brave" (or very stupid?) cat participate in a five-kilometer event each June to raise money for the Help the Animals Fund. Looks like the race was last Sunday, but there's always next year to do your doggone duty.
How funny: We both blogged about dogs today! I love the idea of getting fit with Fido. They make moving fun because their sheer joy at exercising puts a smile on even the most reluctant human companion's face! Hooray!
And when you're exercising with Spot, you're outdoors, which also makes me happy. Makes them happy, too. I read a great quote in a kids book once: "Dogs love nature because it's where they're from." I just love that idea of them as part of nature and every walk is a return to their home, as it were. Kinda the same for humans too, I suspect. At least it is for me.
I do remind myself of this when I lament working at home (hello isolating!).
at least I bring the flatulent drooling wondering with me to work every day.
(uh, not my toddler the bullmastiff)
miz.
Zoey and Ellie are adorable! Bella loves going to work everyday, but everyone knows that by now! Trail running with your dog is very enjoyable, I know mine loves it, and couldn't be happier when she's out there for hours.
Having your dog as a workout buddy is healthy for the both of you!
Jen-
I love playing in the park with my new pup and am looking forward to hopefully jogging with him soon, but I have been warned by my vet to be careful with his running regimen. Jogging with puppies and certain breeds can be dangerous. Here is a link to some info on how to keep your dog safe and the run fun:
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_JogDog.php
Great topic though! And anyone with a pooch knows that the added benfit after the workout is that the pooch is "dog tired" and very low maintenance for the owner.
O'B
It's amazing how fun those little boogers are when you take 'em outside. I love it.
Great link, Dan!
I wish my pup could come with me to the gym, oh how he enjoys working out! Hours in the front yard chasing the soccer ball, hours running at the park, hours running on the Green Belt...and he still isn't tired! I feel guilty going to the gym in the morning and leaving him at home, but sometimes you have to just hit the weights and do cardio another day.
My pup is the best workout partner I've ever had...http://westrugby.blogspot.com/2008/04/two-strong-knees-what-you-got.html
Thanks for posting such a great article on working out with your dog but as a vet I would love to offer some guidelines to keep your furry friend safe especially during the dog days of summer (ha!).
Dogs definitely need exercise! A dog whose exercise needs are met may rest more calmly at home and be less fretful when left alone. Exercise can improve bone and joint health as well as heart and lung function. As in most other things, moderation works well for dogs when it comes to exercise. Dogs, like people, can get out of shape so please use common sense when exercising with your pooch. If your dog has never been out jogging with you, start out with short distances to build up the dog’s physical conditioning. Would you run a marathon if you had not been training for one?
Dogs can experience heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Unlike humans, dogs do not have an efficient body-cooling system. Young dogs and old dogs have poorer temperature regulating abilities than dogs in the prime of life and the peak of physical condition. Black dogs in the sun are at greatly increased risk of overheating, as are long-haired dogs whether in sun or not.
Under ideal conditions, consider the top temperature for working a dog (or allowing a dog to play hard) to be about 85° F. If the dog is young, old, black, long-haired or thick-furred, short-muzzled, not in perfect health, not acclimated to the outdoors, etc., 85° F would be too high. That would also be too high if humidity is also high.
Finally, learn to recognize the warning signs of fatigue or heat exhaustion: excessive panting with tongue hanging out (WAY out), wobbly legs or collapse, distressed look. If you see any of these signs, stop and get your dog into a cool environment, offer water although its not uncommon that the dog will not want to drink, start cooling the dog off with cool (not cold) water. And do these while you are phoning your vet.
Sorry for the very long comment. I have a tendency to ramble on.
I do fartlek with my little dog. He is wicked fast!
Ines,
Fabulous tips from experts on the topic do not count as rambles. :) Thanks for taking the time to share!
Halvo,
That is because your dog is actually a coyote. Or maybe a coyote-fox mix. Seriously, what does the vet say he is?