fitbody
Your dog can be your best fitness friend.
six-legged
Enthusiastically joining in a regular jog-
runs
ging or running routine will build stamina,
strengthen muscles and burn calories—for
both of you.
Best Buddy
Know your dog.
Sustained jogging or running benefits many dogs, although
workouts
not all, and can be problematic for some, according to
the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
Go the DogBreedInfo.com supplies a helpful list of dogs that can go,
Distance
and enjoy, the distance.
Long-legged lopers, such as Labradors, Dalmatians and
most retrievers, are good long-distance running companions.
It’s wise to recognize that racing breeds, like greyhounds
and whippets, are sprinters, rather than endurance athletes.
It’s unfair to expect small, short-legged dogs to “pick up the
pace.” Short-nosed breeds—pugs, bulldogs and boxers, for
example—have trouble breathing during vigorous exercise.
Get your vet’s blessing.
Be sure your dog has a full checkup before joining you on
jogs. The vet can also advise whether an animal is too young
or old for sustained running, when short distances or a more
stately pace would be better.
by Barb amrhein Buy a good leash.
A leash is a non-negotiable piece of equipment. Best Friends
trainer Mark Renick recommends using a six-foot lead for
i
magine the ideal workout buddy; one who is ready to
running. “It’s long enough so that you won’t step on your
join you at a moment’s notice without question, enjoys
dog, but short enough so you can keep him under control,”
your company, never critiques your effort or outfit and
he advises. Use this leash just for jogging and your dog will
doesn’t cancel at the last minute. Chances are, you’ll find this
soon connect it with running, rather than strolling while sniff-
paragon right there next to you as you read this, watching
ing every tree or lamppost.
with soulful eyes, tail wagging in hope of hearing the magic
words: “Let’s go for a run!”
Your dog can be your best fitness friend. Enthusiastically
Practice obedience skills.
joining in a regular jogging or running routine will build
“Sit, stay, come,” and “heel” are commands that need to be
stamina, strengthen muscles and burn calories—for both of
in a dog’s working vocabulary. If they aren’t, enroll in an
you. According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease
obedience course before hitting the pavement or trails.
Control and Prevention, more than one-third of adult
Americans are obese; likewise, data compiled by Pfizer start slowly.
Animal Health indicate that nearly a quarter of the canine Begin each session with a walking warmup. For the first few
population is overweight. weeks, alternate jogging/running with lots of walking. “Start
“Not only do dogs need exercise, they need a lot more younger, middle-aged and overweight dogs on a moderate
than we do,” advises Jack Burke, a veterinarian and chair program of walking 10 to 15 minutes once or twice a day,”
of the Mercy College School of Veterinary Medicine. Keep advises Howard Erickson, professor of physiology at Kan-
that in mind to stay motivated, then turn off the tube, put the sas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Then,
laptop on standby and head outdoors. Just heed these tips to gradually add distance, as both partners build endurance.
ensure your twofer workouts are healthy and enjoyable. End each session with additional walking as a cool-down.
20 New Haven/Middlesex Counties
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