Delight your dog exercise

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Delight Your Dog

  • Stroll & Sniff: Take your dog for a stroll and let them sniff around. Or take them window shopping with you.
  • Toy Trial: Offer them different toys and when they pick their favorites, play with them every day.
  • Puzzle Food Toys: Have your pet play to get their food.
  • Weekly Discovery Treks: Explore a new place every week (hiking, dog park, etc.).
  • Car Rides: Take them for a ride, but don't leave them in the heat!
  • Doggy Day Care: Let them play with other dogs. It also burns calories!
  • Touch/Pet: A belly rub or scratching behind their ears may be just lovely!
  • Healthy Hobby: Find a hobby you and your pet can do together.

Successful Snacking During Weight Loss

  • Make them small: Treats shouldn't be larger than your pinkie fingernail. Break them if you need to.
  • Use their food: pre-measure an allotted amount and set it aside.
  • Stick to the limit: Calculate their allotted amount per day and stick to it!
  • Use low-calorie "goodies": Carrots, green beans, unbuttered popcorn, etc. See related handout.
  • Make them last: Use food toys so it takes them longer to get a treat or to eat their food.
  • Beware of calorie pitfalls: They are sneaky (licking the dinner plate, your kids sharing their lunch, etc.)!

Exercise… Rule #1: Make it fun!

  • Make a friend: Take them to the park and let them play with another dog.
  • Go fetch: It's good exercise, but play it safe: no sticks and throw low to the ground.
  • Hidden Rewards: Puzzle food toys provide exercise with an instant reward!
  • Routine Play: Play with them every day.
  • Swimming: It burns calories and isn't as stressful on their joints.
  • Indoor fun: Sign up for an agility or advanced obedience class.

Exercising with Arthritis

Exercise can increase strength in an arthritic limb, increase joint mobility, and aid in weight management which will let you and your dog enjoy more quality time together.

  • Remember the 3 R's:
    • Be reasonable: Start with short walks, not long hikes.
    • Be rate-conscious: Start slowly and increase time gradually.
    • Be regular: Make it routine, like your dog's meals.
  • Do no harm: Start on a soft surface like grass or dirt and don't make them jump.
  • Don't be a "Weekend Warrior": Infrequent, intense exercise may stress their joints. Keep it moderate and regular.
  • Exercise can go "swimmingly": Swimming is good exercise and low-stress on the joints.
  • Positive and unique: Stay positive and focus on the things you can do with your dog. Your dog is unique, so cater the exercise regimen to their needs.