Use a 4- to 6-foot leash; anything longer than that can spell trouble on the jogging path, since you want to train Fido to stay by your side. During the teaching stage, it can be helpful to maintain this position during walks as well. She recommends stopping every 10 minutes, at least until you have an idea of how much water your dog needs—and especially in sunny or hot weather.
You'll want to carry a container that your dog can drink from, like a collapsible bowl or a bottle with a special spout for dogs. And while we're on the subject: Don't share your Gatorade! Dogs overheat more easily than humans, since they have heavy fur coats and they don't sweat.
So it's important to be careful when it's warm out, and to avoid running in midday heat. Longhaired pooches may feel cooler in the summertime after a haircut—but don't go too short, since that coat also protects against sunburn. Run in the shade, when possible, and avoid hot blacktop, asphalt, or sand, which can burn dogs' paws. To test a surface's temperature , Banfield Pet Hospital recommends placing your hand or a bare foot on it for 10 seconds.
If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your pet. Check your dog's paws when you get back from a run to make sure they haven't suffered any cuts or injuries, says Winart.
Take extra care in the heat, since their feet are susceptible to burns, and when you're on the trail, where you'll come across more rocks, sticks, and uneven terrain.
If you run in the snow, try to avoid roads that have been treated with salt, which can sting dogs' feet—and then upset their stomachs if they lick their paws once they're inside. Canine booties or disposable latex boots can shield paws from irritants; if your dog won't tolerate them, you can also apply petroleum jelly or.
Musher's Secret wax to their pads provide some protection. During and after your run, watch your dog for signs of heatstroke or overexertion, like lethargy, weakness, drooling and dark red gums, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, or panting to the point that he can't catch his breath. If your dog stops and refuses to continue, don't force him.
Any time your dog seems overheated, find shade and give him cool or air-temperature water; you may even want to dump some on his head or body. Just don't let your dog gulp too much water during or after exercise. When they're hot and thirsty, it is possible for dogs to drink too much, says Wirant, and suffer from potentially fatal water toxicity or from bloat, a dangerous condition in which they swallow a lot of air.
As a dog owner you probably know better than to leave puppy poop behind, but still—it's easy to forget to take waste bags with you when you head out for a run. Not only should you be prepared to pick up after your dog while you're exercising, you should also know where you're going to dispose of it, even if that means holding onto it until you find a trash can.
Giving your dog time to "go" before and after your run will reduce your chances of having to make a mid-workout pit stop. When you finish a tough run and you're still panting and sweating, you probably wouldn't have a snack—you'd get sick to your stomach. Same goes for your dog, so hold off on treats until you've both calmed down a bit, says Wirant.
Watch out for ice cubes and ice water, too: The extreme temperature change could cause vomiting. In the meantime, reward your dog by praising him, petting him, and giving him lots of attention.
When in doubt, exercise during non-peak heat hours… very early in the morning or late in the evening. Most importantly, if you notice your dog is showing early signs of heat stroke, stop and take a break.
Get your dog some water. And when in doubt, walk him home. Heat stroke can be deadly, even with aggressive therapy and treatment. Signs of heat stroke include:. Treatment for heat stroke includes rapid body cooling, aggressive intravenous fluids, monitoring for organ failure and clotting abnormalities, blood pressure monitoring, urine output monitoring, blood work monitoring, anti-vomiting medication, plasma transfusions, possibly antibiotic therapy, and supportive care.
When in doubt, prevent it before instead of paying the price — potentially with a life — later. Pad Abrasions Some people exercise with their dog so much that their paw pads abrade off. This is a sign of too much running, in my opinion. While pad abrasions seem minor e. Prevent this, as it can be painful. While the pad has significantly diminished pain sensation, having them completely abraded off so the tissue underneath is exposed is painful. Soreness If you have a dog with osteoarthritis or orthopedic problems, exercising is still a great way of keeping pounds off your pet.
If infected, you may see swelling or pus. Muscular pain and stiffness is another sign your dog may be getting too much exercise, Downing says. When the dog is ready to get up, the owner may notice a struggle. The dog may refuse to walk up or down stairs, may refuse the next meal because it hurts to reach down to the floor to the food dish.
She may even cry out when first moving about. In the worst case, Downing says a dog may develop exertional rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which the muscle tissue breaks down. The breakdown products can in turn lead to kidney damage or failure. You can help reduce soreness and stiffness and other injuries by unsubscribing to weekend warrior syndrome, says Jen Pascucci, a rehab therapist at Haven Lake Animal Hospital in Milford, Delaware. This is not good for the dog because they are usually not properly conditioned but will push through warning muscle and joint pain and fatigue for play time and owner time.
It is up to the owner to set boundaries and limit the high-drive dog to avoid over-exercise-related injury and exhaustion. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are especially a concern during warmer months when dogs can overheat, Jeffrey says. Aside from causing potentially life-threatening hyperthermia, dogs can also become dehydrated or have difficulties breathing.
The impact associated with extreme exercise can cause strain and sprain in various dog joints. Toe joints are particularly susceptible, but the wrist and elbow are also at-risk, Downing says. In dogs with very straight rear legs, excessive exercise can lead to problems in the stifle knee joints, including strain, sprain, meniscal tears, and tears in the cranial cruciate ligament.
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