Get Fit with a Pet ( you’ll both benefit)

By Dr. Becker and Diane Weinmann

A whopping 58 percent of cats and 54 percent of dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity and Prevention.

This cuts down on your pet’s life expectancy by up to 2.5 years while raising her risk of serious diseases, including heart and respiratory conditions, diabetes, osteoarthritis, cancer and more. Further, there’s a “fat pet gap” in which nearly all owners of overweight pets believe their weight to be just fine.

Helping your pet maintain a healthy weight is one of the ultimate gifts you can give her. It might even save her life. So how do you know if your pet is overweight?

Your veterinarian can tell you for sure whether your dog is a healthy weight, but some telltale signs that your dog may benefit from weight loss include the following:

He has an oval shape when you look down on him from above
You cannot feel your dog’s ribs
You cannot feel the bones near the base of your pet’s tail (his pelvis)
You can see excess fat on his abdomen, hips and/or neck

A high-quality fresh food diet is essential for most pets in need of weight loss, but exercise is important too. You can even join in and get fit right along with your pet.

How to Get Fit With Your Pet

Pets’ health tends to mimic that of their owners, with older overweight owners tending to have overweight pets, and younger dog owners being more likely to have an overweight dog if they themselves were obese. The converse is also likely true, in that if your pet gets in shape there’s a good chance you will too, especially if you enlist your pet as your new workout buddy. Here are some examples of how to get fit with your pet.

Stress Relief

A brisk daily walk is essential for your dog, and research shows it benefits owners too. Research published in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health found dog walking was associated with a significant increase in walking activity and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). Before I was pitched from my horse and broke 5 bones I walked my dog daily and enjoyed our time together. It helped me get ready for vacation touring. Now I can barely walk at all without my crutches, vacations have been cancelled and I rely on my husband to walk our dog. They are both enjoy walking and are in good shape!

Compared to non-dog owners, dog walkers were 34 percent more likely to get at least 30 minutes of walking, five days a week. They were also 69 percent more likely to be active during their leisure time.

As you and your dog get fitter, you can increase the intensity and duration of your walks. If your dog enjoys it, you can even progress to running — just be sure to offer plenty of water and rest if your dog seems tired. Don’t forget to watch the weather. Rain, heat, humidity along with snow and ice can be dangerous for walkers.

Tug of War

Many dogs enjoy a good game of tug-of-war and you’ll quickly learn that your dog is probably very strong — strong enough to give you a good workout, especially if he’s a large breed. Diane’s husky, Neko enjoys tug very much and tries to pull her off the couch. It’s a battle but she mostly lets him win because she is afraid for his teeth!

If your dog has back problems or issues with aggression and/or biting, tug of war is not the best choice.

Play Fetch

A game of fetch can be immensely satisfying to your dog while requiring you to stay active (throwing and maybe even fetching the ball yourself if your dog leaves it behind).

Choose a secure area where you dog can run freely, like a fenced backyard, then ask your dog to sit before you throw the ball.

Wind up for a good throw and let your dog bring the ball back to you. To increase your own workout, use this opportunity to run with the ball and let your dog chase after you — then repeat.

Agility Training

Agility training involves teaching your dog to run through obstacle courses, weaving around poles, going through tunnels, jumping through rings, walking on seesaws and more.

The physical and mental benefits to your pet are immense, and you’ll also work up a sweat while you run around the agility course with your dog.

Bicycling

Your dog may enjoy trotting alongside as your ride your bicycle. Be sure you have a bicycle dog leash designed for this purpose, which keeps your dog secured and a safe distance away from the wheels.

You’ll need to start slow and bicycle at a lower speed — do not expect your dog to keep up with you pedaling at full force or for long distances. In addition, some dogs are afraid of bicycles and will not enjoy this form of exercise.

Swimming

Some dogs are built for swimming, others can learn, and some detest the water. If your dog enjoys the water, swimming can be an excellent activity you can do together. Medium- to large-sized breeds with water-resistant coats and webbing between their toes are typically strong swimmers.

Dogs that aren’t designed for swimming include “top heavy” breeds — those with large chests and small hindquarters. Short-muzzled dogs, including the brachycephalic breeds, and dogs with very short legs also don’t do well in water.

If you have a breed that isn’t physically built for swimming, but you think may be interested in learning to swim, my recommendation is to get help training him to swim in a controlled environment.

The water is dangerous for dogs that can’t stay afloat or tire out before they can swim to safety, so make sure you know how your dog will respond to water before assuming he can swim well.

Dr. Becker was able to train Rosco, her Boston Terrier (in theory not a “water dog”), to adore water and this proved to be the best exercise throughout his life. The same is true now for Lenny, her Dachshund.

If you do bring your non-swimmer to the lake or the beach, or even out to your backyard pool, I recommend putting a dog flotation vest and a very long tether rope on him to be safe.

Backpacking or Hiking

A hike through a forest preserve or mountain trail can be exciting and invigorating for both you and your dog. Most trails require dogs to be kept on leash, and be sure to bring a plentiful supply of water and poop bags to clean up after your pet. Also, you’ll have an even better time if you choose a dog-friendly hiking trail. The Cleveland MetroParks are a wonderful place to hike with your dog. Diane, her husband and Neko, their husky, spend a lot of time on its trails.

Tracking and Scent Games

Dogs excel at tracking scents, so why not make a game of it? Hide some bits of food in a few boxes and let your dog figure out which one contains the treat.

Then, take the game outdoors and let him search for food, clothing, items or you, using his nose as his guide. If you really want to see your dog’s tracking potential, and learn how to engage in tracking games with your dog, consult a local trainer or tracking club..

Skijoring

Skijoring is a sport where your dog tows you along on cross-country skis. You’ll need a special skijoring harness for your dog that will hook up to a belt you wear via a towline.

You and your dog will have to learn to work together as a team, but once you get the hang of it, this can be a very rewarding and physically demanding activity for you both. Be sure to slowly acclimate your dog to this type of intense cold-weather activity.

Looking for a Workout Buddy? Try One of These Athletic Breeds

If you’re an active person looking for a dog to be active with you, some breeds will obviously be better than others. Those that follow are among the most athletic dog breeds that thrive on lots of physical activity. Even so, always watch for signs of overexertion in your dog (such as limping, heaving sides, excessive panting, stopping in his tracks, or extreme fatigue).

Many mixed-breed dogs in shelters also make excellent canine workout partners, but if you have your heart set on a specific breed, check out your local rescues. Your athletic buddy may be there waiting for you!

✓ Jack Russell Terrier	✓ Dalmatian	✓ Brittany Spaniel
✓ Greyhound	✓ Whippet	✓ German Shorthaired Pointer
✓ Australian Cattle Dog	✓ Standard Poodle	✓ Airedale Terrier
✓ Border Collie	✓ Weimaraner	✓ Siberian Husky