Proper Dog Exercise

The necessity of exercise for dogs is fully appreciated by a great number of people is proved by the fact that the inability to give it is the most common excuse advanced by dog-less people. " Dogs want so much exercise," they say, and the remark is accepted as conclusive. Unfortunately, however, there are a great number of people who are less considerate for the welfare of their pets, and who are selfish enough to keep dogs, knowing that they have the inability or the disinclination to give them that amount of exercise which is a necessity to the descendants of especially active ancestors. Of course the toy and house dogs are the greatest sufferers. Because a dog is small it does not necessarily follow that he is weak, and the diminutive varieties enjoy their scamper quite as much, if not more, than their larger relatives. Furthermore, the unhealthy and unnatural lives they lead makes exercise more necessary than it is in the case of more rationally treated animals.

It must be realized that trotting about the house and running round the garden is not exercise and should not count as such. The fresh sights, the meeting with other dogs, and above all the new smells which stimulate every nerve in the canine body, are as important factors as the actual muscular exertion, and dogs should be taken on to the roads so that they may enjoy the full benefits of all these combined delights.

Many pet dogs are not allowed to penetrate beyond their own premises all through the winter months when the roads are muddy; but if their owners are too busy or too lazy to attend to their toilets when they come home in a thoroughly disreputable and happy state from their winter walks, then they should not keep dogs.

Regular exercise in all weathers is absolutely necessary to keep dogs of any variety in perfect health and condition. For larger and more active breeds a daily run with horse or bicycle is the best method of exercise. If the latter is used the pace should be moderate to suit the dog, and it is well for the rider to occasionally dismount and walk, as dogs have been known to refuse this form of exercise after once being overtaxed. A twenty pound dog will hardly keep in good trim with less than four miles road work daily, or in point of time from one to two hours, and he will be all the better for plenty of running about the premises, etc., in addition. We are of course speaking of well-made active dogs and do not allude to breeds which have been metamorphosed by the fancier into monstrosities.

On days when the owner is for some reason unable to take his dogs outside his premises, he may in a comparatively short time exercise them by throwing ball or stick for their amusement— in fact to get good "hard" condition no way can be better than this as every muscle is brought into play.

On the whole, perhaps the best time of day for the walk is the afternoon, as the dogs may then be fed and shut up for the night shortly after their return. In the heat of summer exercise may be deferred till evening, and this entails no hardship if the dogs are allowed out and about or for a short run, once or twice during the day.

We have said that dogs should be exercised in all weathers. This of course entails the drying of each one in wet weather; also the daily removal of the worst of the mud in winter. Where several dogs are kept it will be found advantageous to throw down a bundle of straw in a spare kennel or loose box. If the animals are turned in here on their return from exercise they will all be dry and clean in half an hour, and all trouble to the owner will be saved.

dog - Yahoo! News Search Results
dog - Yahoo! News Search Results

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