K9 Safari

The Fit Canine

Posted by Megan on 9 March 2008

This is the first in a series of guest posts on wellness for your dog. At 625 words, you can read it in less than 5 minutes! The author is Daphne Livoni, M.S, L.Ac., who practices acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine at Pets Unlimited, located at 2343 Fillmore Street (at Washington), www.petsunlimited.org, 415-568-3062.

Joseph Pilates said, “Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.” It’s no less true for your dog than it is for you! Do you know the components of an effective exercise plan for your dog? Applying a few basic principles can prolong his life and keep him as healthy as possible, not to mention making him easier to manage and train. The San Francisco dog community offers a plethora of resources for getting your dog fit and keeping him that way.

First, let’s look at the physical health benefits. Though dogs don’t tend to get the kind of heart disease that is most prevalent in human beings, they do develop high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity – all of which threaten health and happiness. Dogs need cardiovascular exercise, just as human beings do. Daily walks provide mild, low-intensity aerobic exercise. For higher-intensity activity, see if your dog enjoys jogging, swimming, or hiking. Dogs that like to fetch and chase get short bursts of intense training for the heart and lungs.

Regular exercise helps dogs maintain a healthy, comfortable weight. Your veterinarian can tell you the proper weight for your dog. As a guideline, you should be able to feel your dog’s ribs and hip bones with a light touch. When you rub her belly, you should not be able to grab fat. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight reduces the stress on her joints, and helps prevent injury and slow down the progress of conditions such as hip or elbow dysplasia and of “wear-and-tear” arthritis.

Tip: Most dogs have less “baggage” around food than we humans do. Feed her a good diet, and use rewards like play, cuddling, and time with other dogs as well as treats.

Then, there are the mental, emotional, and behavioral benefits of getting in a good workout most days of the week. Trainers advise, “A tired dog is a happy dog.” (It’s probably the one thing that all of the various types of trainers agree on!)

“Stress”, by definition, is a physical phenomenon. Any time your dog experiences boredom, anxiety, or fear, his chemical and energetic balance is disrupted. The body prepares for “fight or flight.” Dogs have even fewer options than we do for coping with stress. No television, glasses of red wine, or psychotherapy sessions! They do things like chewing on items in the home, barking on leash at other dogs, or – in extreme cases – acting out aggressively.

Getting some exercise addresses stress at its root. Tucker your dog out everyday, and you will have a calmer, better behaved dog. Moderate exercise before a training session can also help your dog focus. A bout of exercise may ease any stressful transition, like a trip to the vet, groomer, or boarding facility – and makes an excellent reward after the event is over.

Tips for keeping your dog fit:
• Walk her everyday and have a play session with her a few times a week. (Added bonus – you’ll get your workout in, too!)
• Feed him a high-quality diet in appropriate portions. Consider supplementing a commercial diet with whole foods.
• Schedule regular outings with dog professionals like K9 Safari.
• Explore structured dog athletic programs like dog agility [link to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_agility]. Smart, energetic breeds such as border collies, shepherds, and pit bulls especially enjoy the opportunity to test both body and mind with athletic training.
• Vary the routine – short, intense bursts; slow, steady exercise; and play that gets the muscles working and makes your dog solve problems.
• Consult your veterinarian if you see any signs of injury or changes to her energy level, appetite, or mood. Consider holistic treatments such, acupuncture, herbal therapy, and massage to strengthen your dog’s natural healing abilities.