Dogs dogs dogs + fitness

kerricus
kerricus Posts: 165 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Who out there has a dog that helps them keep fit? How much do you walk/run with them every day?

I have 2 small mutts. We walk at least 3 miles every day. They get me out of the house and moving every day, rain or shine, and I am so much healthier and happier because of it.
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Replies

  • lilpoindexter
    lilpoindexter Posts: 1,122 Member
    I took the family dog to obedience school, but he bugs out too much, and wants to smell all the bushes and stuff...I still take him "walking" but basically he is out of control the whole time we are out. I have to hold the leash really tightly, and close to my knees for him to have some semblance of following my steps.
  • MelsAuntie
    MelsAuntie Posts: 2,833 Member
    I have two English springer spaniels, who live on a farm with several acres of fenced yard. Both are now old dogs and frankly I'm in better shape than either of them. They do like to hang out in the barn sniffing around for hoof parings while I clean stalls, but I doubt either could make it on a two mile walk.
  • TheLizBerry
    TheLizBerry Posts: 17
    My two mini aussies practically pull me on the leash as we walk (especially up hills). I love my dogs and they always give me the motivation to take them around the block after my workout.
  • pet1127
    pet1127 Posts: 572 Member
    my two pooches got tosed out of dog training :(
    I cant walk them together so I get 2 km a day x2 lol they each get a walk
  • kerricus
    kerricus Posts: 165 Member
    I took the family dog to obedience school, but he bugs out too much, and wants to smell all the bushes and stuff...I still take him "walking" but basically he is out of control the whole time we are out. I have to hold the leash really tightly, and close to my knees for him to have some semblance of following my steps.

    Have you tried the Gentle Leader harness? Not the muzzle thing, but the harness. Some of my friends have had great success with it.

    My dogs are pretty darn good on leashes. Unless there is a cat or a squirrel involved, and then they strangle themselves running in that direction. Sometimes other dogs really upset them. Working with highly reactive dogs is tough, but walking is so important to me that I make it work.
  • k9hrd
    k9hrd Posts: 351 Member
    I have 2 dogs; a border collie and a German shepherd. Keeping them in shape, trained and happy is a big job. The border is a cadaver dog and the German shepherd is in training for Search and Rescue. Field training requirements are about 4 hours each, that can burn a lot of calories.
  • acstansell
    acstansell Posts: 567 Member
    my lab/boxer mix go on a walk about every day during the week. Anywhere from 1 to 3 miles. We did 5k on Saturday in 55 minutes and 1 mile in about 20 tonight... he keeps me motivated to get him out there because a tired dog is a happy dog!!!
  • acstansell
    acstansell Posts: 567 Member
    I took the family dog to obedience school, but he bugs out too much, and wants to smell all the bushes and stuff...I still take him "walking" but basically he is out of control the whole time we are out. I have to hold the leash really tightly, and close to my knees for him to have some semblance of following my steps.

    Have you tried the Gentle Leader harness? Not the muzzle thing, but the harness. Some of my friends have had great success with it.

    My dogs are pretty darn good on leashes. Unless there is a cat or a squirrel involved, and then they strangle themselves running in that direction. Sometimes other dogs really upset them. Working with highly reactive dogs is tough, but walking is so important to me that I make it work.

    I tried the Easy Walk (chest) harness and my dog does better with the Gentle Leader (face halter) harness. It's not a muzzle, just put slight pressure on the face to turn the dog's back to you to get them to slow down... I highly recommend it for a dog who struggles to focus or wants to pull on a walk.
  • kerricus
    kerricus Posts: 165 Member
    I have 2 dogs; a border collie and a German shepherd. Keeping them in shape, trained and happy is a big job. The border is a cadaver dog and the German shepherd is in training for Search and Rescue. Field training requirements are about 4 hours each, that can burn a lot of calories.

    So cool that you have dogs that can do that. I don't think my dogs are cut out for anything more than kisses and snuggles. In the future, I plan to train them to be therapy dogs.
  • k9hrd
    k9hrd Posts: 351 Member
    When I looked teach obedience training, I recommend "being a tree". You do not move until the dog gives you slack in the leash. This does not burn many calories, but it works. Other wise using a pinch collar also works well and is less damaging to the dog than choke collars. More questions, write me I am happy to help.
  • yankeedownsouth
    yankeedownsouth Posts: 717 Member
    I have a Doberman who just tuned 1 yesterday. I have to walk him a LOT!
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    You called?
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    I have 2 dogs; a border collie and a German shepherd. Keeping them in shape, trained and happy is a big job. The border is a cadaver dog and the German shepherd is in training for Search and Rescue. Field training requirements are about 4 hours each, that can burn a lot of calories.

    Nothing I love more than a working dog :heart:

    My older shepherd failed his Police training, my younger one is currently working (not with me)

    Mostly though, I keep them in shape not the other way around. My lab isn't keen on running, my older one is too old for longer runs (although he would go as far as I asked workout complaint). The working one gets his own exercise.
  • jessgumkowski88
    jessgumkowski88 Posts: 189 Member
    This is my sassy pug Eli. He's a runner :) and he likes to take me with him on jogs around our neighborhood. He also enjoys lap swimming, and hiking!

    efrn0x.jpg
  • Krisengel
    Krisengel Posts: 161 Member
    My lab mix gets me out of the house all the time. She loves walks and a little running. We have to work back up to running now that it's getting warm again.
  • kerricus
    kerricus Posts: 165 Member
    This is my sassy pug Eli. He's a runner :) and he likes to take me with him on jogs around our neighborhood. He also enjoys lap swimming, and hiking!

    Hooray for a fit pug! That's practically unheard of.
  • agirlscamaro
    agirlscamaro Posts: 175 Member
    My dog has definitely gotten me more active. He's not my running buddy though. He's got a pretty serious heart condition for a young dog (dialated cardiomyopathy at 2 years old) which impacts his stamina. He tried to following me on a run and I thought I was going to have to carry him back and he's 70lbs.

    We take walks and have logs of short play time.
  • tennileb
    tennileb Posts: 265 Member
    I have 300lbs of stupid that keeps me moving.

    I walk two of them most days, and run with the third one as he needs more of a energy burn. He is the best running partner except he shoulder checks me (in my shoulder) as he jumps with excitement when we start running, he looks like a furry helium ballon he's in the air so much. , and barks at me when I slow down.
  • phytogurl
    phytogurl Posts: 671 Member
    I love to take my two dogs aka, muttwillies out most days for either a walk or job. It's our de-stress time. If I don't take them out enough, they get that crazy look in their eyes and they're not very kind to their toys! It's not a pretty sight.:noway:
  • jessgumkowski88
    jessgumkowski88 Posts: 189 Member

    Hooray for a fit pug! That's practically unheard of.

    Right!? No one told him that he's supposed to be a couch potato! He does still adore food though!
  • fluffykitsune
    fluffykitsune Posts: 236 Member
    I've got four. Two Champion Japanese Akita, in both AKC and UKC.
    Two German Shepherds, one who is a competitively trained protection dog (Ring Sport / Schutzhund) and one who is an Agility dog.
    Two walks of 2 miles each, plus 3 times a week we do a 5 - 8k run (for the GSDs).

    The Akita are old, 9 and 10.. So they're lazy bums. They get weekend hikes and then sleep the rest of the week.
  • upsidedownjelly
    upsidedownjelly Posts: 52
    I have a rescue pittie who is pretty content to relax with me most of the time, but he can get whiney if we don't walk every day. And when I do get ready to walk/run him, he zooms through the house with excitement. He's definitely much happier when we go out. And since I'm trying to make him a good breed advocate, I have to work his leash manners consistently...

    My favorite with him is to run whatever distance I'm working on out (2 or 3 miles usually) and then walk back home. That way we get exercise and he gets his sniffing in.

    Weekends mean forest preserve hikes with long leash.

    Dog definitely motivates me to be more active!!
  • ThinUpGirl
    ThinUpGirl Posts: 397
    This is my sassy pug Eli. He's a runner :) and he likes to take me with him on jogs around our neighborhood. He also enjoys lap swimming, and hiking!

    efrn0x.jpg

    I have a pug named Rascal. He is only 10 months old and has a lot of energy. I'd like to take him on a run, but I read that it is not good for them. He seems to tire out after an hour long walk.

    Do you take Eli on short sprints? What is the age of your pug?


    Very cute btw, Rascal is all black.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    I have 300lbs of stupid that keeps me moving.

    I walk two of them most days, and run with the third one as he needs more of a energy burn. He is the best running partner except he shoulder checks me (in my shoulder) as he jumps with excitement when we start running, he looks like a furry helium ballon he's in the air so much. , and barks at me when I slow down.

    Don't knock stupid. I have smart and stupid. I'll take stupid anyday.
  • jessgumkowski88
    jessgumkowski88 Posts: 189 Member


    I have a pug named Rascal. He is only 10 months old and has a lot of energy. I'd like to take him on a run, but I read that it is not good for them. He seems to tire out after an hour long walk.

    Do you take Eli on short sprints? What is the age of your pug?


    Very cute btw, Rascal is all black.

    aww cute! I worked eli up to jogging with me. We took 10 minute walks to start and worked up to two miles. Then we slowly added jog/walking mailbox intervals. He doesn't seem to have any real troubles with it. And if he looks like he's having a hard time we slow down, or rest.

    I DO NOT take him out in hot weather and I notice he has some trouble when it's really humid :) But he's so happy to get the exercise! It's his favorite part of the day. If you live in a warm weather area I suggest morning or evening jogs. And of course if you're unsure about anything ask your vet! Mine says that so long as he seems happy and isn't having any trouble breathing, it's very healthy for him and should help keep him fit and lively!

    Happy exercising with Rascal!
  • IzzyBooNZ1
    IzzyBooNZ1 Posts: 1,289 Member
    I have 3 dogs !
    Jess is a rottie and pretty lazy. she likes to amble along on her walks. she is 9 this year
    Bruno is a staffy mix and loves his walkies. walkies and fetch are this 2 favourite things.
    Tyler is an american staffy. I have noticed he is more tired with a shorter walk than say a longer 40 min walk. so he gets the shorter walks plus some training time at home & this equals a nice quiet dog. the more he uses his brain the more tired he gets.
  • matt2442
    matt2442 Posts: 1,259 Member
    run in the backyard, on the beach, at the park

    border collies have a lot of energy, more than me that's for sure
  • m0ya24
    m0ya24 Posts: 7
    I have two dogs, and I walk them at least 20 minutes a day. It's good for their health, and the same for us!! :)
  • lola_rd
    lola_rd Posts: 5 Member
    I took the family dog to obedience school, but he bugs out too much, and wants to smell all the bushes and stuff...I still take him "walking" but basically he is out of control the whole time we are out. I have to hold the leash really tightly, and close to my knees for him to have some semblance of following my steps.

    Sounds like my labradoodle!! An Easywalk is the only think that will allow me to walk, and even jog with him. Maybe that will help?
  • robnallys
    robnallys Posts: 2 Member
    I have a 5 1/2 month old Great Dane puppy (70 lbs right now!). She keeps me VERY active. I am in a condo, so there is no just opening the door and letting her out. I run her around the building to try and wear her out in the evenings. We usually go on a 2-3 mile hike/walk at least 1-2 times a week.

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