Running with Fido: Exercise with Your Dog

By: veterinarian Audrey Harvey BVSc
(all photos: Tim Miller of Dreamcoat Photography)

A study by the Australian Veterinary Association found that over 40% of Aussie dogs are overweight or obese. In fact, there is a growing epidemic of overweight and unhealthy dogs all over the world. Dogs are just like humans — they need to be active in order to stay healthy in both body and mind. Fortunately, there is a great solution to the problem: take your dog running!

The Problem
Research has shown that daily walks simply aren’t enough for most breeds to maintain a healthy body weight and smooth, toned muscles. Dogs that don’t receive enough exercise tend to become overweight, which can lead to health issues including joint pain, heart disease and many other obesity related problems. All of these contribute to a poor quality of life and a shortened lifespan, and our canine best friends deserve better than that! Our dogs depend on us for their well-being, so it’s very important that we look do whatever it takes to keep them healthy.

The Solution
One of the best ways to ensure a better quality of life for your canine companion is take them running with you. If you don’t already run, right now is the perfect time to start! If you are a little skeptical, don’t be. Dogs make excellent running partners because they never cancel on you, they are always enthusiastic and they will motivate you to get out and run, rain or shine! How can you say no to that wagging tail?

The Benefits
By running on a regular basis, your dog will be healthier both mentally and physically, and it is this balance that is the key to a long, happy life. Physically, the exercise will burn excess fat, which helps to prevent all of the obesity related issues that can slow your dog down and shorten their life. When it comes to mental health, the regular exercise will serve as a healthy outlet for all your dog’s pent up energy — and as we all know, most dogs have plenty of it! When dogs aren’t able to burn off this excess energy, it tends to manifest itself in the form of aggressive and destructive behavior, which is clearly undesirable.

Let’s not forget the benefits to their owners! Although the intention is to improve your dog’s health, you will also be improving your own. You too will get a good work out which will help to keep your hearat healthy and your spirits high. That’s what makes running with your dog such a fun and rewarding experience.

Make sure you start gently. Follow a safe and gentle running program for dogs such as the Pooch to 5K program. This program takes approximately 12 weeks and will train both of you to run 5km, even if you’ve never run before.

Please note: before you take your dog running for the first time, visit your veterinarian so that they can receive a full checkup. Informing them of your intention to run with the dog will help them to identify any potential issues and exercise limitations based on their current age and condition.

About Audrey:

A BRISBANE veterinarian has devised a unique new program for pet owners to get themselves and their overweight dogs in shape – for free.

Launched in late April 2010, the Pooch to 5K program (Pooch to 5K) is a site that encourages and supports people as they start a running program with their dog. It has a gentle 12 week program which should be achievable by all dogs and their owners, and at the end of it, they will be able to run 5km.

Read more FIDO Friendly destination and health/wellness articles and get the latest and greatest in where to go with your pooch at: FIDO Friendly magazine

Question: Do you exercise with your Fido(s)?