While it’s still warm out, everyone wants to squeeze in some outdoor activity as summer winds down—even the dog! But for us pet owners, we feel sorry heading out for some late summer exercise as our pups whimper in the window. Instead of facing the daily guilt-trip, grab the leash and bring your buddy along. There are plenty of activities to enjoy this month that offer health benefits for both you and your dog.
Here are few common exercises to consider and why:
Walking
Go for walk?! These are probably your dog’s three favorite words. While it may seem obvious, daily walking really is one of the best healthy habits to build with your dog. Not only will it help them burn calories, but walking also helps build lean muscle mass, supports digestive health, and relieves stress. Better yet, regular walks will provide these same benefits for the two-legger on the other end of the leash. Start an exercise plan for you and your dog: start off with short, slow-paced walks for a few days and then increase the distance and pace as your pet’s endurance goes up. A healthy dog is a happy dog!
Here are some great places to take your dog for a walk here in Philly:
Rittenhouse Square
Pennypack Park
Philadealphia’s Art Museum Steps
Manayunk Towpath and Canal
University of Pennsylvania’s Campus
Race Street Pier
Pretzel Park in Manayunk
Running
Having a four-legged running partner is a great way to keep the both of you healthy while providing a sense of companionship and security. Once you and your pup have mastered the walking plan, consider stepping it up a notch to running. Think of it as a team effort—having a running partner will make the both of you more motivated. Sniff out your favorite park or beach and head out for a jog. Once you and your dog get into the habit regular jogging, he’ll be the one getting YOU off the couch! Before trying this, consider your pet’s breed and age. Healthy retrievers, Dalmatians, and pit bulls typically do well with running, if exposed in the correct manner, while breeds with shorter legs or nose can have trouble due their anatomy. Running may not be for all dogs, so always check with your vet before starting higher intensity workouts.
Here are some great places to take your four-legged friend for a run in Philly:
Schuylkill River Trail
Kelly Drive
West River Drive
Forbidden Drive
Ben Franklin Parkway
Hiking
If you love scouting out new hiking spots in good company, this is activity for you. Ocean County has tons of parks and hiking trails for you and your dog to enjoy. Hiking is a wonderful way to incorporate incline training into you and your pup’s routine. Incline workouts are particularly useful in building muscle tone, which is especially important in older dogs or less active breeds. Stronger muscles helps to protect dogs against injuries sustained during normal exercise, such as fetch or getting up the stairs, and will generally help your dog get around better. Just as humans would, dogs look for variety in their activities. For those dogs (and owners) that are getting bored of the same old walk around the block, hiking provides a new environment that pleases the body and mind.
Here are some great places to hike with your dog in and around Philly:
Wissahickon Valley Trail
Strawberry Mansion in Fairmount Park
Fort Washington State Park
Bowman’s Hill Tower
Brandywine Creek State Park
Ridley Creek State Park
Swimming
Put the doggy in doggy paddling! Swimming is a low-impact activity suitable for both humans and canines that offers many health benefits. Water resistance makes your dog work harder to swim than he has to work on land, which helps to improve muscle strength and support the cardiovascular and respiratory system. In fact, one minute of aquatic exercise equates to about 4 minutes of regular walking. Water workouts provide many of the same health benefits as land exercise without heavy impact, and can even be used as a therapeutic method for some dogs that struggle with regular exercise. As always, double check with your vet before bringing your pooch for a swim.
Here are some great places to take your dog for a swim in Philly:
Wissahickon Valley Trail
Be sure to get your dog out this week for some healthy fun!
Article by Jenni Maher.
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