Your Dogs Exercise

We know our dogs would not be couch potatoes in the wild. They would travel and they would hunt. Food would be the ultimate reward for their efforts.

The way we live now, this departure from what is natural, takes a tremendous toll on dog health, as it does with ours.

Every disease is positively impacted by your dogs exercise. In medical studies, billions of dollars are spent to prove the effectiveness of drugs. When drugs are measured against exercise, the drug almost always loses.

Exercise and the Immune System

Did you know without physical activity, the lymph system shuts down? With physical activity, the body creates a need to stay fit. It feels alive through movement, receives more oxygen and gets the immune system running. (Read what is The Immune System) Not only is stamina increased, the added oxygen and movement speed up the metabolism, helping to detoxify and cleanse the canine body.

This natural method of out with the bad and in with the good, increases resistance to disease. Remember, a couch potato (dog or human) loses its resistance and more easily succumbs to disease and death.

Ideas for Your Dogs Exercise

Remember many of these ideas give you the opportunity to enhance your role as leader to your dog. Never let your dog walk or run ahead of you. Not only will he be your leader, which means he doesn't have to listen to you, but you put yourself at risk of getting hurt! I've actually known folks with broken arms, sprained legs and even a broken jaw from being pulled, dragged and tripped by their dog!

• Run or jog with your dog by your side. It's a great bonding activity.
• Walk with him beside you. Don't let him stop to sniff or pee until you say so.
• A Backpack with a little weight will make her exert a little more energy during the activity of your choice.
• A Treadmill is a great choice for rainy days or your canine needs more physical activity than you do.
• Throw a Ball, stick or toy. Whatever your dog will bring back will give him a workout, especially before a walk if he tends to pull.
• Chase the Light. Using a flashlight or penlight can keep her moving and both of you entertained.
• Jumping. A fun game for both of you. Try it! I was amazed to find out our Moo's nose can reach nearly 7 feet from a standing position!
• Obstacle course Invent your own! As simple as this sounds, my daughter's Lulu will naturally do a figure eight through our legs until she's panting (or my legs sting too much from the whack of her tail!)
• Flirt Pole Here's one I learned how to make recently. It's great exercise for your dog (none for you) and helps you teach simple commands. Dogs learn so much easier when they are having fun. The video is by Bad Rap.org, a great group of folks in Oakland, California.

Training Video: Flirt Pole Basics from BADRAP.org on Vimeo.

If you make a flirt pole and use it, let me know how it goes! And watch the whole thing. I LOVE the facial expression on the dog at the end.

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