dog exercise.
Corbis Looking for a workout plan that you can really stick to? Perhaps you should consider investing in an exercise machine that loves you back -- i.e., a dog! According to the New York Times, some of the world's best personal trainers aren't persons at all, but canines. A recent study found that dogs are top-notch motivators when it comes to taking regular walks. In fact, research suggests that dog owners are not just more likely to take walks, but they've been found to be more physically active than non-dog owners overall. According to research conducted by Michigan State University, 60 percent of dog owners exercised an average of 30 minutes a day -- meeting or exceeding federal ...
Ben Westhoff Each week, Ben Westhoff shares the ups and downs of owning Pippi, the dalmatian mix he and his wife, Anna, adopted as a puppy in late 2009. Pippi fancies herself an athletic dog. When we take her to the dog park or the home of our friends Dev and Lawrence -- who have a fenced-in backyard and a zippity-doo dog of their own named Moose -- Pippi will run around like crazy, chasing balls, sticks, her companions, whatever. She doesn't care, so long as she's permitted to run at top speed, without interruption, for hours. But we recently put her stamina to the test when we took her on a hike through the hills of Harriman State Park, near the New York/New Jersey border. In fact, for ...
John Ales / Zoom Room Growing up with two beagles in the Midwest, there were few things more difficult than getting the dogs their proper dose of exercise in the winter. Walks in the snow brought on constant protest. One of our beagles would raise one paw at a time when she started getting too cold, balancing on three legs and then two, until eventually she flopped onto her back and had to be carried home to the fireplace. One great solution is to visit an indoor dog park. There is usually a charge to enter -- a per-visit fee, a membership fee that covers the season or both. You will also probably need to show your dog's vaccination records. Here are a few of the indoor dog parks now open ...
Anna Westhoff Each week, Ben Westhoff shares the ups and downs of owning Pippi, the dalmatian mix he and his wife Anna adopted as a puppy in late 2009. As we approach our first anniversary of owning Pippi, you may be wondering if the "honeymoon" period is over. No way! Anna and I still enjoy snuggling Pippi and goofing around with her, playing tug-of-war and roughhousing. But speaking for myself, I'm burned out on exercising her so much. It was fun for a time, but if someone were to give us, say, a robot dog walker for Christmas -- one that was trustworthy and ran on renewable batteries -- I would set that baby to auto-pilot and never look back. I've written many times about Pippi's ...
Corgis. They're one of the cutest and most beloved of breeds, and it's easy to tell why. Those huge ears. Those goofy grins. Those stubby little legs. Cooper here doesn't let his short stature hold him back from going in the water to get his toy. He gives it his all, doing the best with what he's got. But what he's got ain't much, and all his effort gives him about half an inch of air before he belly-flops awkwardly into the water. It seems that he does get just enough momentum, though, and Cooper retrieves his tennis ball again and again, much to the delight of his owners. Share ...
Kurgo Wander Pack Walking your dog doesn't have to be a complicated process. You grab a leash, some water, something to scoop poop, and you're out the door. But if you're trying to turn a simple dog walk into a serious workout, the right equipment will help you and your dog make the most of your time. Keep Both of You Well Hydrated Hands-free hydration is a cinch with a CamelBak hydration pack. We love that it holds enough water for a long walk or run. Not only is it handy for a quick sip, but it's easy to squeeze some water into your dog's mouth too. The zippered pockets have room for keys, a phone, a snack and even a collapsible bowl. Track Your Workout While You Walk Your Dog The ...