Things to Consider Before Starting an Exercise Regime For Your Dog

exercise - By Staff Writer on Thursday, October 7, 2010 - 12:09

Exercise is great for all dogs but depending on the age, breed and health level of  your dog, some exercises will be more suitable than others.  You should be aware of certain characteristics of your dog before you begin a regime.  If your dog has not been active in a while you should speak with your vet and approach exercise with caution.

BloatAlso known as gastric dialation-volvulus is the distension or enlargement of the stomach by expanding gas. If it is accompanies by torsion or twisting the stomach becomes blocked and the trauma to the system can be fatal.
This is the most important thing to be aware of when building an exercise regime for a dog.  Bloat is where the stomach gets distended and can flip causing severe blockage and internal stress that can lead to death.  It is common in large breeds and breeds with a deep chest.  If your breed is one of the ones that is notorious for getting bloat or has a very deep chest, you should not exercise your dog after eating.  You should wait ample time after your dog eats before letting them play or taking them for a run.  At minimum an hour should help but if you notice any signs of bloat seek medical attention immediately.

ArthritisArthritis is an inflammation of the joints that is caused by abnormal stress on a normal joint or normal stress on an abnormal joint. It can be triggered by inherited illnesses, trauma or arise from over use of joints. Arthritis causes swelling of the joints, pain, difficulty moving the joints and even loss of movement over time.
As dogs age many dogs will get arthritis.  Often arthritis will take the form of limping, difficulty rising, unwillingness to play or jump down from chairs or beds.  If you think your dog has slowed down and you suspect they might have joint problems you should speak with your vet before picking an exercise routine.  For dogs with hip and joint problems a workout of swimming will provide fitness but keep the impact and further damage to a minimum.

Brachycephalic Breeds
Brachycephalic breeds are the breeds with flat faces.  Because dogs with short noses have shorter nasal passages they can sometimes have difficulty breathing.  If your dog is known to have Brachycephalic Syndrome and difficulty breathing, she will likely have a hard time with rigorous exercise and cooling down.  You should speak with your vet before you start an extensive routine and always make sure it is not too hot and you have plenty of water available.

Dog Physiology
Most breeds are built for bursts of activity.  Sighthounds, in particular, are built for quick short bursts of running like sprinters but are not built for long distances.  You should take your dogs breed into consideration before working them out.  Some dogs would be better off with a game of fetch and others like Siberian Huskies are just fine with a long run if they are built up to the distance.  You must take into consideration your dog's physiology when picking a activity. 

Bone Growth
If you have a puppy you need to make sure you are not over exercising her before she is fully grown.  Exercises like extensive running will cause damage to a dogs bones if the growth plates have yet to fully close.  Dogs under one year should avoid physically strenuous exercise and owners should opt to take them to the dog park and for play dates.

There is a proper exercise out there for every dog it is simply up to you as an owner to pay attention to what your dog needs and tailor activities to their energy level and capabilities.  Remember always watch your dog closely when exercising to avoid injury and illness.