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Exercise for Dogs
by
David the Dogman
Most veterinarians will caution pet owners not
to exercise a dog right after feeding him. This is certainly true
of strenuous exercise, which can make a dog throw up and can lead
to gastric torsion. A recent study by the Divisions of Nutritional
Sciences at Cornell University proved that exercise after eating
seems to burn up more calories by raising the body's rate of metabolism.
After
eating, many dogs will lie down to digest their food.
While sleeping a pet will burn up a few calories in just keeping
his heart and lungs
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going. This sluggish behaviour can only encourage
the animal to put on weight and to put on fat. It now makes sense
to take your dog for a walk not more than a half-hour after his
big meal of the day. This very gentle exercise will also stimulate
his digestion.
Then after a few hours have gone by, you can put him through a
more demanding regimen of activity.
For smaller breeds, simply taking a dog outdoors
to relieve himself constitutes a certain amount of exercise. Exercise
assists but does not cause defaccation and a dog does not need
exercise to loosen his bowels unless he is ill.
RUNNING
The
cheetah is the fastest land animal known and has been clocked
in short bursts up to sixty miles an hour. Dogs in the wild do
a lot of running but mostly when they are hunting or chasing prey.
Taking a dog on a daily run is not necessarily in its best interest.
Dogs should never be run on hard surfaces like pavements or paved
roads but on earth. If you insist on having your dog jog then
make certain that the pace is a fast walk or trot rather than
a run, of course this should never be allowed in hot weather.
Always check the dog's feet after a run for cuts and rawness.
DANGERS
OF HEAT
A dog can sweat through his feet pads, anus and
tongue. He does not have the heat releasing mechanisms of many
other animals. Dogs are susceptible to heatstroke and other related
problems. Dogs that were bred for cold climates such as Huskies,
Akita's have been transplanted by people to warm climates this
is not natural and one can expect behavioural and health problems.
Dogs
react to heat by panting or digging holes in the earth under shady
trees or bushes. Locking dogs in closed cars can be fatal because
a car heats and and so do dogs.
Exercise raises your dog's metabolism and boosts his temperature,
which in turn can turn to heatstroke. For obese dogs the problem
is worse. Never exercise a dog in the heat of the day and keep
his weight under control. It also a good idea to give your dog
his water dish to enable him to drink before a walk.
Commitment, Firmness, but kindness.
Do
you have any problems with your pet? Then why not send your problem
to DAVID THE DOGMAN. David is a Canine Behaviourist who works
and lives in Marbella, Spain.
Tel/Fax (00345) 2883388. His web site is located at: http://www.thedogman.net.
David has his own radio and TV shows, and writes for many newspapers
and magazines. David has been working with dogs for many years
and started his career in Israel, working on the Border Police.
He has been involved in all forms of training, including air sea
rescue, air scent work, and has trained dogs for finding drugs.
David has devoted the past 10 years to studying behaviour and
the very passive approach. He does not use choke chains, check
chains, or any form of aggression.
David
The Dogman is available for private consultations in your home,
for further details telephone; Tel; (95) 2883388
