Walking, Running, Hiking, Swimming, Agility - Let's GO!

Sam, shaking it off!

He hears the jingle of your car keys and whoosh! It's written all over his face. "Can I come?! Huh?! Where we going? Let's goOOooOOo!!" Happy yips, tongue hanging, feet tap dancing, and his body moving at the same speed as the washing machine spin cycle. All that, and you haven't even reached the front door yet.

She's lying on the living room floor, breathing in fits and starts, legs moving in running fashion. You wonder where she's running to in her dreams, or if she's running after something. A rabbit? Chasing a ball? Joining her friends in a romp at the local dog park? Or just running for the sheer joy of it?

"WaaaAAAiiiit! Don't roll in that coyote poop!" It never ceases to amaze you how sweet and loving your faithful friend's kisses are and then you stop to think what she's just ingested...Nom...nom... Gross! Not to her, though! You call your dog away from her feces feast and offer up a grain-free, organic, made in the good ole U.S. of A, hormone, antibiotic and pesticide-free, $13 a bag, sun-dried chicken jerky treat. She turns her nose up at the offer and looks up as if to say, "You want me to eat THAT?!" Off she races down the trail in search of her next gastro delight, while you sigh and place the treat back in it's bag. You stop and marvel in the beauty of your surroundings, and realize that there's no place you'd rather be right now; out-and-about in the great outdoors with your faithful friend. Oh, and there's those ubiquitous piles of coyote poop, of course.

We know how great we feel when we get off our duff and get moving. It's really no different for your dog. Before starting an exercise program, always take a few things into consideration:

The age of the dog - Is he still a puppy who's growth plates aren't yet fully formed? Talk with your veterinarian and your agility instructor before sending your dog sailing over high jumps...or out of the back of the truck...or off the couch.. Conversely, an older dog with hip dysplasia may not want to (nor should) chase that Frisbee at break-neck speed and do a twist mid-air while catching it.
The benefits of derailing bothersome behaviors - Is your dog entering adolescence? Have you come home to a destroyed couch or is the garbage strewn EVERYwhere? Is your dog a whirling dervish who is on-on-on all the time? Research shows and veterinarians recommend expending pent-up energy through a regular exercise program is one way to reduce boredom, anxiety and stress. For both of you....
The surfaces you will be encountering - Hot pavement? Frozen snow and ice? Slippery mud? Hot sand? (see sidebar for Musher's Secret).
Time of day/evening - If you are a morning person, what better way to start the day than by moving your body and sharing the time with your doggie pal? Cooler temperatures also help dogs regulate their core body temperature; remember, dogs don't sweat the same way humans do. I am more of an evening exerciser myself; it helps me connect with my dogs after a busy day and I marvel in the joy they get from, well, being a dog.
The breed of the dog - My rambunctious three-year old Lab may be more suited for a five mile run in the evening than your Pug/Chihuahua mix. That said, I had a student in one of my classes who trained for half marathons with his Border Terrier/Vizsla mix. He did build up her stamina, endurance and fitness level over time and had regular wellness check-ups with his veterinarian.
The right equipment - I am not a proponent of retractable leashes, especially for highly active jaunts like running or hiking. A 6' leash made of leather or nylon should do the trick. Waist belts are handy, but practice at home first before heading out for a 3 mile run. If you use a regular flat buckle collar, make sure that it is not too loose or too tight. No pinch collars or choke chains! That seems obvious but.... A body harness is a great choice for walks and other outdoor activities with your dog when using a leash. I recommend a front-clip harness for dogs over 25 pounds. Here's why:

Water and Snacks - For you AND your dog! If you are running, a waist belt with a water bottle holder is great; most have small pockets on either side that can accommodate your car keys, treats for you and your dog, POOP BAGS, cell phone, a whistle, bug repellent and sunscreen, an identification card, and tweezers. Huh??? We live in the high desert...Can you spell c-a-c-t-u-s? If you are going for a leisurely walk or hike, a small day pack can hold all of the aforementioned items and more as needed. Follow common sense procedures required for a longer hike. Weather, accessibility, wildlife and the fitness level of both you and your dog play a role in having a fun and safe outing.
Follow the Rules - If it says No Dogs Allowed, then don't go there! While we wish our four-legged friends could follow us every where we go, some environments are not dog-friendly for a reason. Abide local leash laws, as well as be courteous and respectful to others who others who might not be "dog people". They're out there too, trying to enjoy their walk, hike, swim. And please, clean up after your dog! It's a pet peeve of mine; pun intended...

Kathi and Abbie at the Galisteo Basin Preserve

Check out Hike With Your Dog, a resource site packed with do's and don'ts for hiking in the great outdoors, no matter what state you live in!

Suzanne Clothier shares great exercise ideas in her article, Fitness in Your Back Yard.

The blog, Behind the Behavior from Animal Companion Solutions in Seattle, offers tips for exercising with your dog.

Got a pudgy pooch and don't know where to start? Begin here, by reading this informative article from The Whole Dog Journal on the dangers of canine obesity. It's now considered an epidemic...yikes!

So, what are you waiting for?! Get out there and get moving with your faithful friend!

I got it! No, I got it!

The Nose Knows

Canine nose work (scent) is another great way to exercise your dog, both physically and mentally. And you both have loads of fun! Did you know that dogs have over 220,000,000 scent receptor cells in their noses?

Classes are offered locally at Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society with Martha Kennedy, a nationally certified nose work instructor. Additional classes are offered with Jaime Fellows, CNWI, who brought the nose work craze to Santa Fe! Jaime's classes will be held at Wags Dog Daycare Center. For more information on nose work, go to The National Association of Canine Scent Work. The K9 Nose Work site has great information, too. Join in the fun!

Save Your Dog's Paws!

Musher's Secret is a dense, barrier wax that forms a breathable bond with your dog's paws. Developed in Canada for use with sledding dogs, it provides tenacious protection even in the most extreme conditions.

Made from a blend of several food-grade waxes, then refined according to our the company's special formulations, Musher's Secret is the safe, non-toxic way to protect your dog's paws. The semi-permeable shield is absorbed into the paws, allowing perspiration to escape through the toes.

Available at Eldorado Country Pet, The Critters and Me, or online.

Drink Up!

If you're thirsty, you darn well better bet that your dog is, too! Don't forget to bring along extra fluids for your pup - that lovely stream may still be a mile away. And just because it's a cloudy day is no excuse for not hydrating.

Dog Water Bottle can take care of the hydration needs of your pet while hiking, camping or just on a walk. It is made of stainless steel and has two openings. The small opening has a ball bearing that controls flow of water so your dog can easily drink from it.

Dog Water Bottle

Made of stainless steel
Fits almost all standard cup holders
Has a ball bearing to control water flow
Helps to keep dog hydrated on the go

Dog Water Bottle also has a second opening which is larger for filing water inside. It makes cleaning also easier. You can also unscrew the whole top of this bottle. Just hold the Dog Water Bottle upside down and your pet can drink water from ball bearing opening. The bottle also comes with a handy carabiner to easily carry it.

Available from wag.com or dogisgood.com

Did You Know?

ASPCA Advices “The Five Things You Need to Know About Ice Melts” Most of us know how to protect our pups in freezing temperatures (doggie sweaters, here we come!) but not everyone is aware of another winter danger for dogs: the ubiquitous rock salt used to melt ice. In the past five years, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has received hundreds of calls about ice melt exposure. Click on the photo below to learn everything you need to know to keep Fido safe from salt melts till spring!