A regular exercise routine will make your dog healthier and also strengthen your bond.

Before you exercise with your dog, consider his needs and physical condition. An older dog may be best suited for a leisurely walk, while a young puppy has ample energy for a vigorous run. If your dog has more energy to expend than you do, teach him to fetch a ball or flying disk. The activity may be just right for you while still offering a challenging exercise for him.

Starting Out

Once you’ve decided to launch a regular exercise program for your dog, start out slow. Begin with short periods of activity at slow speeds, then gradually increase the time, speed, and distance of the routine.

Until his pads toughen, walk or run your dog on soft surfaces such as dirt, sand, or grass. Keep your dog’s nails trimmed so they won’t tear as he runs.

Keeping your dog on a leash gives you control when walking or running. If you exercise at night, place a reflective collar on your dog and use a bright-coloured leash to alert passers-by of your approach. It’s also smart to wear white or light-coloured clothing after dark.

Avoid exercising your dog immediately before or after feeding time, as a full stomach may cause digestive upsets. Provide water, but only in small amounts, both before and directly after exercise.

Weather conditions are an important consideration as you exercise your pet. Dogs can suffer from frostbite and heat stroke just as people do. And a dog’s feet can be damaged by hot asphalt during the summer months.

Some Important Reminders

If your dog is well trained, you may be able to take him off-leash in public parks or in dog parks where dogs are allowed to run. Before letting your dog run off-leash, use a long leash or rope to get him accustomed to running in the area, and train him to come to you on command.

It’s also important to be versed on local laws. Many municipalities have “pooper scooper” laws requiring owners to clean up after their pets. Some require dogs to be walked on-leash. Your police or animal control department can tell you more about the laws in near your home.

After You Exercise

Following an outdoor workout, check your dog’s feet for the presence of burrs, grass, thorns, rocks, or ice and snow—all of which should be removed.

If you walk your dog in wooded areas, check his eyes, hair coat, and feet for foxtail, seeds, and dirt. If these irritants are in his eyes, they should be removed by washing the eyes with a boric acid solution, taking care to avoid touching or rubbing the eyeball. Burrs on long-haired dogs should be worked out by hand using the thumb and forefinger.

You’ll also want to check carefully for ticks. If you find any, be sure to remove the entire head and all mouth parts. Avoid handling ticks with your bare hands. You can use tweezers or shield your contact with latex gloves or paper tissue. Always wash your hands thoroughly and disinfect the bite site when done.

Keep “doggy towels” handy to dry your dog after a walk in the rain or snow. Dogs with short, smooth hair coats may also require the warmth of a doggy garment when they go outside in cold weather.

Design Your Own Dog Run

A dog run should be twice as wide and at least 4 to 5 times as long as your dog. (Measure your dog from the tip of his nose to the base of his tail.) A long rectangular shape is preferable to a square shape, as it provides a better exercise area. Even if space is limited, don’t skimp on the run’s length. The location of your dog’s run is also important. Try to place it where it will receive as much shade as possible. If natural shade is unavailable in your yard, another option is to mount a plastic cover over the top. In heavy snowfall areas, such a cover must be removed and stored during the winter.

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