Are Too Many Dog Walks Really Possible?

From Couch Potato to Athlete-

As a long-time professional dog walker in South Orange County, enjoying the streets and neighborhoods of Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Nellie Gail and Laguna Niguel, https://www.thepetsitteroc.com/services I have never seen so many dog walks by their owners due to the “safer at home” provision caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Do not get me wrong, it is great to see dogs and their humans bonding and exercising, BUT there is such a thing as too much exercise, too many dog walks, for your former Couch Potato doggie.

Our dogs are most likely used to being home alone much of the day while their owners are off to their place of work.  While these pups may be thrilled to have you home and have more of your attention, they are probably not prepared to hit the pavement and keep up with you on your quest for more outdoor time, walking and/or jogging.  Unless your furry friend has a dog walker, chances are this new exercise program may be too much for them.

Across the country, dogs are racking up an additional 1000 steps per day according to Fi, a GPS tracking dog collar company https://www.tryfi.com/learn That is too much all at once without proper conditioning.  It is recommended to consult your veterinarian before you begin a new walking program with your dog.   This is something that can probably take place “virtually” as many vet offices have curtailed their in-person appointments.

*On a side note, please find out what your vets new COVID-19 procedures are and if they have adjusted their open hours, so you have this information handy if you need it.

Let’s Get Those Dog Walks Started, slowly-

For dogs that do not get out much, being outdoors among all the new sights and smells can be overwhelming.  Just sniffing and marking can be enough of a start for a mostly inside dog.  Also, you probably will encounter other folks and their dogs on walks.  If you do want to allow your dogs to interact, please keep “social distancing” in mind.  Your 6’ leash is a perfect reminder to keep that distance.  Proceed cautiously with any interactions if you have a reactive or tense/scared dog.

Just as you yourself cannot go and run 5 miles without working up to it, your dog needs time to get into condition too.  Start slowly and add additional time in Each Week.  For instance, start with a 10-minute walk each day for the first week and increase that time by 5-minutes per walk, per week. For instance, 10 minutes for each walk the first week, 15 minutes for each walk the following week, etc.   Please keep in mind the weather conditions and your dogs breed.  Brachycephalic breeds need special consideration as their shortened head, short nose and flat faces make breathing difficult under certain circumstances.  Such breeds include but are not limited to:  Pugs, Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas, Chow Chows, Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, Bull Mastiffs, and English Toy Spaniels.

Dog Walking Times-

For young dogs, The Kennel Club https://www.thekennelclub.org suggests 5-minutes of walking for each month of age.  For instance, a 2-month-old pup should be walked no more than 10 minutes at a time, up to twice per day.  3 months old – 15 minutes at a time, up to twice per day, etc.

If you have an older dog who suffers from heart or joint problems, please keep their walks short, maybe even just around the yard.  Older dogs should not be walked during the heat of the day as they have a more difficult time regulating their body temperature.  Always bring water with you for them.

If you want your dog to run with you, please consider whether your dog is really going to be a good running partner.  Some small dogs, or those with long bodies and short legs, cannot keep up with your stride, making it hard for them to get into a running rhythm.  This can easily lead to injury in your dog.  In this case, you may prefer Backyard Games.

Yard Games-

Some doggies would prefer to play in the yard with you.  A game of fetch is great for some dogs, they get to run around and you get to teach them fetch and maybe other commands while at play.  But please, limit the time you are playing fetch or any other games.  Just as for walking and running, increase the play time gradually; add just another 3 ball throws a day to your fetch game.

Our rescue doggie Makena was not used to running around a yard when we first adopted him, but he was so thrilled to have freedom that he would just fly around the yard all by himself.  His poor delicate paw pads became sore over time.  Perfect example of conditioning; consider that their feet and pads need to be conditioned slowly.

It’s been said that playing fetch with your dog off and on all day is equivalent to you lifting weights for 8-hours a day.  I do not know about you, but that is TOO much for me!  Just as with too much walking or running, too much high-impact play can lead to over working muscles and tendons, which could lead to injury and we don’t want to have to visit the vet during these uncertain times, let alone, injure our precious fur baby.  I have heard many orthopedic surgeons and specialists are not even taking appointments at this time, so we need to be mindful and not overdue the exercise or play for our pets.

Teach a New Trick While on your Dog Walks-

Mental stimulation can be just as rewarding to your dog as a long walk.  Teaching your dog commands such as Sit, Down, Stand, Shake, High Five, Beg (if you want to teach that) can be just as beneficial and it teaches good manners.  I also like to teach Wait, instead of sit, at curbs.  Especially in older dogs, all that sitting and rising at each curb can become taxing on their bodies.  Wait is a great way to teach manners and safety at the same time.

Walks and Trick Training are great bonding experiences for you and your pup.  And since many people are working from home and spending more time with their dogs, it is a great opportunity to teach some new skills.  Please be sure to watch your dog closely for any signs of injury or lameness and have him evaluated if any problems occur.  You want to be active together now and into the future.  Moderation is key!!!

So, the answer to the question posed at the beginning of this article is YES, you can walk you dog too much.

If you need the assistance of a professional with your dog walks, we are here to help.  https://thepetsitteroc.com/home