Physical activity benefits both the owners and their pets. Nevertheless, certain precautions should be taken regarding physical condition, age, breed, temperature, and hydration, as well as progressively increasing the training load. That's why dog and running are a great combination.
Physical activity for fit dogs (and dog owners)
More and more people are deciding to go out and run with friends. Sometimes the best companion for daily training is our pet. The dog and running form a good combination; moreover, the animal can provide an excellent motivation to stimulate its master.
Dog and running: all the advantages
Dogs are runners by nature and can, therefore, be the ideal companion for running activities. It should be borne in mind that they are not obsessed with the calories to burn or the kilometers to run: they simply follow us and have fun.
Our four-legged friends not only keep us company but also help us get used to regular exercise. There are several studies, in fact, whose conclusions ensure that sedentariness is a much less common phenomenon among people who keep a pet at home.
The dog, like many other animals, is a habitual animal that offers us an excellent motivation, ideal for the practice of running. Our friend will always be ready to go out to run; often, he will insist that his master leave the house.
the dog and running are an excellent combination
Advice to consider the dog and running
The habit of going out to run with your dog not only benefits people's health but also serves to strengthen the bond with your pet. There are many advantages to combining dog and running, but there are a few issues that need to be taken into account in order to practice it safely.
Consult your vet
Before involving your dog in your running projects, it is very important to consult with your vet. It must be a specialist who examines, evaluates and decides if your dog's physical condition is adequate for this activity. This will help you avoid surprises that affect your animal's health.
If your dog becomes a regular sportsman engaged in this activity, it is recommended that you have an annual check-up. Intensive exercise can cause injuries to the kidneys and musculoskeletal system.
Wait until your dog has grown sufficiently before running.
For the owner of a puppy, the precautions to be taken must be greater. In some cases, it is advisable to wait until your pet has grown and developed sufficiently before running. In any case, overexercise causes damage to the joints of the puppies.
Some breeds are better suited to running than others.
In general, dogs of all breeds can run amateurishly. In the case of small dogs and dogs with a crushed snout, which often have respiratory problems, running is not recommended. It is recommended to be accompanied in the execution of the exercise by larger animals.
Running with your dog brings benefits to both the animal and its owner.
Avoid running under the sun at high temperatures
This is a very important aspect to take into account, especially during the summer. Dogs do not breathe like humans and their heat resistance is much lower. The transpiration system of dogs consists of panting, but in the presence of high temperatures, this is a very slow process.
With high temperatures and a high incidence of sunlight, in fact, the best thing is to avoid the middle hours of the day. It is recommended to exercise before 10:00 and after 20:00 or 21:00.
Hydration
As with any living thing, the hydration of our pets is absolutely essential. It is also important in the case of the combination of dog and running, but there are some limitations that we need to take into account.
It is recommended not to feed water to the dog immediately after the activity is over, because the animal, just like its owner, is very tired, and drinking a lot of water could lead to its collapse. The best thing is to wait for your dog to calm down before hydrating him.
Gradual training
Just as with people, the dog must run with its owner in a gradual and progressive manner. He will end up getting used to his master's rhythm, but he needs to do it little by little.
In addition to running, there are many other sports that we can practice with our pets.
In my blog, you will find a lot of interesting information about the kind and responsive creatures that surround us. You will understand your pets better. Learn how to give them attention and love. How to take care of them and how to learn to understand them better. Also, there will be a lot of information about animals living in the wild. Come and visit! This blog is for you!