Make fitness a New Year’s Resolution for you and your dog with these caring tips from Scenthound.
One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is fitness. Whether you want to lose weight or simply be healthier in 2016, your dog can help you meet your goals. In the process, you’ll be helping your dog, too!
Dog obesity is a growing problem. Life seems to be getting busier and busier; there’s always a reason to put off that walk or trip to the dog park. But most dogs need 1 to 2 hours of exercise a day to keep them healthy, and so do you!
Activities like walking, running, and hiking with your dog are great ways for you both to get exercise at the same time. Other bonding activities, like playing fetch or visiting the dog park, are options that allow your dog to exercise without major exertion on your end.
When introducing a new activity like jogging or running instead of the normal walk, start small—slower pace, shorter duration, and less frequency—so you can both build up endurance toward the end goal. If you’re not sure how much exercise your dog can handle, watch for signs of exhaustion such as heavy panting, wheezing, disorientation, or slowing down. Hydration is important for both of you, so be sure to bring fresh, cool water along on your outing. It’s hot out there, South Florida!
Scenthound West Palm Beach, Jupiter, and Boynton Beach will take care of your dog’s SCENT (skin, coat, ears, nails, and teeth), but proper exercise is another way you can make sure you’re taking care of your dog’s total wellness. By starting to exercise together you might be amazed what positive changes you see in how you look and feel, and how your dog looks and behaves. Here’s to a happy and healthy 2016 for both of you!