Exercise for Dogs
by David the Dogman
David Klein FDTCB. F.inst D. Canine Behaviourist


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 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


Copyright © 1997 by David Klein. 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.k9netuk.com/dogman/ 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.





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