The exercise you choose for your dog should depend on the age, weight, health and breed characteristics. A Beagle or Retriever needs more play and exercise than a Pug or Bulldog. What’s the point if you actually get up and out to talk your dog on a walk, but he doesn’t expend all the energy that he needs to? You still have the same problems you may have had in the first place: an anxious dog, destructive behavior, obesity, etc.

Dogs on average should be exercised aerobically for at least 20 minutes each day, taking into consideration health issues and age limitations. Then looking at the breed and your dog’s personality, start to increase either the amount of time your dog needs to exercise or the number of times she exercises every day.

Yea, yea, easier said than done you say. I’m sure it is. But the bottom line is this, it is for your dog’s health and Heaven knows dogs are not always ‘convenient’. You may balk at this, but consider getting up earlier to fit in the dog’s walk. I know, I know, I hated it at first too. In my case, if I did not get this energetic 50 pound dog out for at least–and I mean minimum–30 minutes each day, he was bouncing off wall by evening and my chair legs weren’t too happy-looking.

So I started getting up 40 minutes earlier. In the fall and winter, I don’t walk the dog right away, because it’s dark and I just don’t feel like getting hit by a car that doesn’t see us. But I take that time to fix the kid’s lunches and breakfast, so at 6:50, Bronx and I can have our walk. In cold weather, the walk is the last thing I do before shuttling the kids off to school.

You can do it. Any walk is better than none, but short walks just aren’t always enough.

A fellow dog Mommy friend of mine has an adorable Border Collie named Angela, a dog that really needs regular exercise and mental challenges. But Angela’s mom was in the great position to be a part of this software start-up company. If you know anything about a start up it’s long hours, at home and in the office. After a couple of Angela was not digging this. The walks had gone to almost non-existent.  When Angela decided she would walk herself one day (we figure she lucked out figuring that sliding door latch) and the neighbors left 10 messages before they could reach Mom, Mom knew she needed to do something different.

I suggested a dog walker or doggie day care until Read the rest of this entry

I was watching my girlfriend playing with her dog Jerry (a cute little Terrier mix) and she’s been teaching him this cute trick, jumping over her outstretched leg.  She had been working on this trick with him for a few weeks, Read the rest of this entry

If you are lucky enough to live near a body of water that allows dogs or have a pool, your pooch gets the joy of taking a dip during the hot summer weather. I say ‘joy’, but that’s as a person who loves to swim. You always see pictures of some dog gleefully paddling. I love watching the dog diving competitions on ESPN–those dog look like they are having fun! So, I find it hard to believe that there are people and dogs.

Doesn't this dog look like he's having fun swimming?

But there are. My husband is one. I don’t know how that happened–he was in the Navy for goodness sake. He says he just doesn’t like the hassle.

My dog is another one. This energetic, playful dog will run with me for miles, play fetch pole for an hour, but will not get near water. We had him as a puppy and he’s had no negative experiences. He’ll only tolerate a bath. I can’t get him to run through a sprinkler of water, even on hot days. I don’t understand it. Maybe my husband rubbed off on him.

So while I don’t have the joys of playing this this particular dog in water, my friend Tess has poodles that have a thrashing good time in any body of water they get near, her neighbor’s pool (when invited) and the local lake. And her hot tub if they get near it. But Tess knows dogs should never be in a hot tub. Beside them being difficult to get out off, dogs can overheat much faster than humans and the warm temperatures are not good for them.

That said, I am listing here (jealously) a few things you should consider when getting your dog in the water this summer

1. People assume that if your dog is in water, he won’t overheat. Not true, particularly when the water temperature gets much above 75 degrees and if the dog is working hard in the water.
2. Your dog still needs water to drink if he’s been swimming. Have his dish and water available for him.
3. Many dogs drown each year from pool accidents that could have been avoided. If your pooch loves the water and loves jumping in the pool, make sure she knows how to get out safely and teach her where and how to get out of the pool regardless of where she went in.
4. Keep an eye on your dog while in the pool because swimming can be very tiring for a dog. Just like many dogs will run until they nearly collapse, many dogs will continue swimming without any thought as to how tired they are. And unlike running, they have no solid ground on which to rest.
5. If you take your dog swimming in a natural environment, be aware of the surrounding area if you take your dog to the beach, lake or pond. Watch for trouble and make sure your dog will come to you as soon as you call. Recall is one of the most important lessons you can teach your dog. It can literally save his life.
6. Also, take a walk in the water. Know if there are strong undercurrents and watch for sharp rocks and shells just under the water surface that he might cut his paws on.
7. Get him a life jacket if you have any questions about his safety. There are versions of life Jackets just for your dog.

With a little planning and forethought, you can help your dog swim without incident in most any environment during the hot summer months.

If you are walking, running, hiking, or doing just about anything in the warm, lovely, gorgeous summer weather (yes, I am glad of summer), you need to stay hydrated. So does your dog. You and the dog are losing more water through more sweating and you have to replenish. Heat stroke is not a fun feeling. Neither is heat exhaustion. Nor dehydration. In fact it feels really crappy. So just be sure to drink to rehydrate and to cool your body. (Note: even when you and/or dog go swimming, you should take water and drink between playtime.) Read the rest of this entry