Tails will wag with plenty of active play and exercise

By Greg James | [email protected] 

During the month of April, National Canine Fitness Month focuses on keeping our loyal companions happy and healthy.

“Dogs definitely need a lot of exercise and activity,” said Cindy Christensen, an experienced dog trainer and owner of Let’s Train Your Dog. “Activity is where a dog gets its mental health. Any dog can become depressed and destructive, and I think it is one of the biggest things that dogs do not get enough exercise.”

Directing your dog through a timed obstacle course may not be the type of exercise your companion needs. The size and breed of the dog will dictate the type of training it needs.

“Walking your dog is a relatively new thing. In my day we opened the back door and let them run around. Working dogs like a German shepherd or labradoodle are high-energy breeds and they need a lot of exercise. A Newfoundland is a giant dog but will sleep all day. The breed of the dog is a big factor,” Christensen said.

Active play is one way to incorporate more exercise for your dog. Throw a ball or stick in a safe environment or better yet run or jog alongside it. Others may use their own yoga routine, asking the dog to lay down when you’re in a cobra pose or sit when you’re in a downward-facing dog pose.

The company FitPaws spearheads the month-long awareness to help prevent canine obesity and keep dogs active. Just like their human counterparts too much sitting around and large amounts of treats can cause weight gain, sore joints, difficulty breathing, and a higher risk of other diseases.

Sedentarism, the lack of movement, has become a normal lifestyle for many canines and their humans. The opposite of a sedentary lifestyle is movement. Canine Fitness Month encourages dog owners to take a step toward a healthier lifestyle with their four-legged friends.

“Sometimes we wonder why dogs go crazy. I had a depressed pit bull in Magna that jumped through a plate glass window. It had so much energy and needed to expend that energy. I really believe that people don’t exercise their dogs enough,” Christensen said.

The amount of exercise a dog needs should be a deciding factor in the type of dog you bring into your life and home.

“Do research before you pick a dog. Learn about the mom and dad of the puppies. Are they high energy or do they have other health issues? I believe many of the backyard breeders do not know what they are doing. Do your homework. Don’t pay a fortune for a dog that you don’t know much about,” Christensen said.

Obedience training can begin when a puppy reaches four weeks, but it is never too old to learn.

“I think anyone can teach sit, come, heal, stay. It takes more than that to help the dog become well behaved,” Christensen said.

Types of training methods vary. Christensen recommends teaching the dog respect, others use e-collars or treat recognition. 

“A dog really needs a couple of hours a day. A dog needs activity and if you are not willing then you probably should not buy one,” Christensen said.

FitPaws is encouraging dog owners to share successes and tips using #caninefitnessmonth on social media.