Fall 2007 • V ol. 42 No. 3 - San Diego Humane Society and SPCA

The Skinny on Exercising with your Dog
Many of us like the idea of
staying fit while spending
time with our dog. The
benefits of exercising with our canines
are numerous: along with maintaining a
healthy weight, exercise will keep your
dog’s joints and muscles strong and
flexible. It also improves the cardiovascular
system and the overall health
of your best friend.
Before beginning an exercise
routine with your dog, check with your
veterinarian because different dogs
require different types and amounts of
exercise. For example, dogs with arthritis
or Hip Dysplasia may experience
difficulties during a fast paced run. As
a result, tailoring your workout to your
dog is crucial.
Once you’ve decided to exercise
with your dog, it’s important to
keep a few safety tips in mind:
• When running, walking, or hiking
with your dog, remember to put your
pup on a leash. Even the most wellmannered
dogs can sometimes lose their
cool around exciting distractions!
• On hot days provide plenty of
water for your dog. If your dog is fairskinned
you may want to consider protecting
him with a doggie sunscreen.
• If your dog is new to exercise, start
slowly. Allow for warm-up and cool-down
times.
• If you’re going on a long run or
walk with your dog, try to keep your dog
on dirt or grass the majority of the time
so he won’t hurt the pads of his feet.
• Know your dog’s limits (and yours!)
and try not to overextend yourselves.
• After exercising outdoors, examine
your dog’s coat and pads for foxtails,
burs, sores, or anything else unusual.
A half-hour of physical activity three
times a week is a good rule of thumb
for beginning an exercise program
with your pet. Dogs love routine, so
establishing a set time and place will
help your dog take full advantage of his
exercise time!
To read more about exercising with
your dog, including tips and techniques,
go to www.sdhumane.org and visit our
article library at under the “Resources”
section.
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Help animals in need and donate your old vehicle to the
San Diego Humane Society and SPCA today!
Your tax-deductible donation will help us provide for the humane
care of thousands of animals.
As a private, independent, nonprofit
organization that receives no public
funding, we rely on your generosity
to keep our programs and services
available for both the people and
pets in our community.
Running (or not) cars, trucks,
motorcycles, boats, RVs and big rigs
are “waggily” accepted.
For more information or free pick-up
and towing call (619) 243-3401
or visit www.sdhumane.org.
18 www.sdhumane.org
AnimalFare • Fall 2007