Am I overexercising my dog?

ashleypage__
ashleypage__ Posts: 49
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey! As I am starting my weight loss journey, I find it easy to walk around the park. It is also a dog park, so I like to bring him along since he gets so excited. I usually walk over a mile, and he runs nearly the entire time. Plus I let him run around with the dogs in the doggy area. He is seven & a ****zu/poodle small dog. I wonder since he's older am I abusing him by overexercising him? I've brought him to the park for the past four days. Any signs of fatigue, I give him water or shorten my walk & go home. Should I ease up?

Replies

  • ashleypage__
    ashleypage__ Posts: 49
    Hey! As I am starting my weight loss journey, I find it easy to walk around the park. It is also a dog park, so I like to bring him along since he gets so excited. I usually walk over a mile, and he runs nearly the entire time. Plus I let him run around with the dogs in the doggy area. He is seven & a ****zu/poodle small dog. I wonder since he's older am I abusing him by overexercising him? I've brought him to the park for the past four days. Any signs of fatigue, I give him water or shorten my walk & go home. Should I ease up?

    they blocked out sh*tzu lol
  • jamiem1102
    jamiem1102 Posts: 1,196 Member
    I would check with your vet if I were you, but a mile a day should be fine. Older dogs need exercise too! Plus if he gets too tired, he'll likely just sit down... which means, "No, *kitten*. I'm not walking anymore, but you're more than welcome to carry me."
  • ashleypage__
    ashleypage__ Posts: 49
    lmao...he has so much energy...he completes the mile before i do o_O
  • jamiem1102
    jamiem1102 Posts: 1,196 Member
    Haha then you're likely not over-exercising him. He could probably go a lot more. :)
  • HelloSweetie4
    HelloSweetie4 Posts: 1,214 Member
    He'll let you know if it's too much. If he's enjoying the time then don't worry about it!
  • kalynn06
    kalynn06 Posts: 368 Member
    I'd just be careful especially in the heat and avoid giving ice cold water. Sometimes dogs overdo it to please you, but if he's going strong, he should be fine as long as you keep an eye on him. For a little dog like that seven is more middle aged than old. Bigger dogs, unfortunately, tend to age more quickly.
  • jess1992uga
    jess1992uga Posts: 603 Member
    Hey. I'm a pre-vet student and this is not too much exercise at all. You would know if it was overexercise if you went to the dog park, took him off his leash, and he just laid there. If he is willingly still running around he is just doing what he wants and obviously has the energy. Plus, those breeds are known for having weight issues so its better for them to get exercise. Just make sure you get him plenty of water when he returns home.
  • aliciagudino
    aliciagudino Posts: 59 Member
    I'd definitely ask your vet. I think dogs will keep running, even if they are tired. I think they only stop when literally they feel way over exerted. My brother walked our dog, who is a daschund, for a really long time, and Chester walked and walked, until he got home, where he plopped on the floor and was panting so hard, he couldn't even lift his head up off the floor. He was obviously way too tired and that was too much for him. But my brother didn't realize that because he kept walking along with him. Dogs are different, so I would just ask your vet to be sure :)
  • ashleypage__
    ashleypage__ Posts: 49
    Thanks for your responses.
  • SweetSammie
    SweetSammie Posts: 391 Member
    I have 3 dogs, so I rotate the exercise time... they love it, though!
  • firedragon064
    firedragon064 Posts: 1,081 Member
    My little dog goes on 7 miles hike with me.
    Little dogs can't handle the heat so don't go there in HOT weather (specially walking on pavement) and make sure you have water for fur baby. The heat from the pavement will hit their stomach.
    Mine would stand and stare at me when he does not want to walk so I just carry him.
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