Posts tagged "RunningWithDogs"

It's not the end of the world for most of us when we put on a pound or two over the winter, but for dogs, it's a much bigger deal and definitely detrimental to their health.

Fortunately, there are tons of fun ways to get fit with your favorite furry friend, and in this column, we're looking at some cardio options. If none of these ideas inspire you, think about what it is that you really like to do, then talk to your vet, a dog trainer, or a few puppy-loving pals to come up with ways to involve your four-legged friend in your exercise routine.

Pre-Workout Prep
Before you start on any exercise program with your dog, you need to make sure your pup is ready to perform.

"Be sure to first visit your physician and veterinarian to make sure you are both healthy enough to begin a regular fitness training program. It is important to speak with your doctor and vet about the ideal weight and body shape for you and your dog so you can work towards those goals," recommends Canine Fitness Expert Gail Miller Bisher. She developed the Super Fit Fido Club, based in New York City, to help owners and their dogs shape up, so she knows a thing or two about how to get started.

In addition to what your vet looks for (like arthritis, heart murmur or other potential problems), Bisher has a few other things you'll need to be on top of before you begin.

If you're a runner and an animal lover, chances are good that you've taken your dog running with you. And that's great. In fact, recent studies suggest that dog owners get up to eight times as much exercise as a regular gym-goer. But in order to keep your dog safe and healthy, you need to be informed.

Some breeds are natural runners and obvious choices for running partners. Greyhounds, for example, are particularly fast, while many hunting dogs have amazing endurance. Mid-sized mutts can make fantastic jogging buddies, too, because they aren't prone to some of the purebred hereditary disorders.

Even if your dog is a great runner, don't assume you can just start in with long, hard runs. To learn more about running with dogs, we spoke to Dr. Sarah Marzke of Topaz Veterinary Clinic in Arizona, who is an avid runner and loves nothing more than heading out for a long run with her five-year-old black Lab, Storm.