“Obesity is a massive problem in pets, just as it is with people, and exercising helps keep the dog’s weight down,” Nelson said. “Dogs also need an outlet to relieve their energy or else they may develop destructive behavior. Your dog is going to be happier and more content if it receives adequate exercise.

“Exercising with your pet also promotes the human-animal bond,” she said. “People like dogs because of their unconditional love, and dogs are going to be very pleased to have their owners do something with them.”

Nelson stated exercise is important, but dogs differ in the amount and types of exercise they should be doing to maintain good health. A blanket recommendationfor exercise time amounts cannot be given as exercise needs vary vastly between individuals, and factors such as age, breed, weather and general health all influence the amounts of exercise your dog will need. Nelson said toThink about these guidelines:

• In general,More massiveand working dogs have higher energy needs, and smaller/toy breeds need less exercise.
• Ideally, dogs should get out twice daily for exercise. Times may vary from 15-60 minutes, depending on your individual pet.
• Turning the dog loose in the backyard is not enough — aerobic exercise should be continuous with few breaks. Most dogs are content to lie in the sun and only get up for short periods of activity. If the dog has another dog it can run around with outside, that could be adequate if they spend long periods of continuous play, but do not rely upon that in most circumstances.

Nelson said there are many generalities when it comes to exercising with dogs, but they are just generalities. For example, though many small dogs prefer lighter activities, Jack Russell terriers tend to be very high-energy pets. Here are some generalities for activities to do with your dog depending on its needs and interests:

• Medium andHuge dogs typically make betterlong-distance running partners. If your dog can run longer than you are able, you may want to Think about biking while having your dog run beside you on leash. Pay careful attention to safety if you choose this option. Smaller dogs are bettersuited for shorter distance running or walking.
• While many dogs like catching flying discs, be careful to keep the throws low to avoid injury to joints from higher leaps. Herding breeds, such as border collies and Australian shepherds, are dogs that perform well competitively, butthere are lots of other pure andblended breed dogs that perform equally well.
• Medium dogs, especially herding breeds, are good at agility activities. “That’s not to state that large or small dogs can’t do agility activities, but the herding breeds, overall, are at the top in these competitions,” Nelson said.
• If you like playing fetch with a dog, then a retrieving breed such as a Labrador or golden retriever may be your best candidate. While retrievers are usually best at activities like fetch, many dogs enjoy playing fetch with tennis balls, racquetballs, toys or sticks. Playing fetch indoors with your small breed dog is often a viable option; you could run the risk, though, of enthusiastic, unintentional damage to the inside of your house if you try this with a Largerdog.
• Swimming is a non-joint stressing exercise for dogs, just as it is for people. It is a great option during the hot summer months when heat exhaustion is a concern. Retrievers are at the top of the pack for this activity.
• Dogs also need mental exercise. Breeds such as border collies need a lot of mental stimulation to keep them happy. Activities to Considerare searching for hidden items, laser light chasing or completing special tasks.

According to Nelson, health concerns to be aware of when exercising with your dog include:

• Make sure your dog is in shape before doing long or intense workouts. If you want to do a longer distance run, you need to build your dog up gradually to the longer mileage.
• Dogs need to get acclimated to hard surfaces, whether they are going out to walk, run or go hunting with their owners. “If they have been on soft grass in the yard for an extended period of time, and then run on gravel or cement, they may tear up their pads,” Nelson said. “Be mindful also in hot weather that your dog may suffer from burns to the pads from hot cement or asphalt.”
• All dogs are at risk for overheating. When it’s hot, the heat, especially combined with humidity, makes it easier for the dog to succumb to heat exhaustion. Be especially cautious with dogs with short noses, like bulldogs and Boston terriers, because they can’t cool themselves as effectively as other dogs due to the conformation of their noses. Dark-haired and long-coated dogs also are at higher risk. If during exercise your dog starts acting woozy, gets a dark red-colored tongue or gets thick ropy saliva, you should stop immediately and get it in a shaded area. Offer water and hose it down with cool water if necessary. For more severely effected dogs, wet them down with water and then take them to a veterinarian immediately.
• Give your dog frequent water breaks while exercising, especially if it is hot out. Limit exercise times to early morning and later in the evenings, and be cognizant of daytime temperatures and humidity.
• Conversely, cold weather also poses special risks to your pet. Frostbite to the feet, nose and ears is possible along with irritation to the feet by ice melts. Do not grant your pet to drink from puddles in the street as they may be contaminated with antifreeze. Short-coated and smaller breed dogs may require a jacket for extra warmth.
• Young dogs, particularly Largebreed growing puppies, shouldn’t go on long runs until around 12-15 months of age. Up to that time their bones are still growing and elongating. Prolonged, pounding exercise on hard surfaces can potentially cause early damage to their joints.
• Don’t feed your dog right before or right after intense exercise. This may predispose the dog’s stomach to bloat or twist, especially forMassivebreed or deep-chested dogs. A general rule of thumb is to not feed dogs an hour before or after exercising.

Source: Kansas State University (news : web)

Besides providing your dog with nutritious diet and regular grooming and exercise,there are severalother small gestures which go a long way in ensuring that you have healthy and happy pets. A routine visit to the veterinary is part of a proper care for a dog. The yearly vaccinations and regular check ups are an essential part of pet care and all this costs money. As a responsible owner, I am sure that most of us plan out a monthly budget keeping the dog’s needs in mind; however, emergencies and unplanned expenditures do happen. A well planned dog insurance can then save the day for you and definitely for your pet. Some basic pointers, however, need to be paid special attention to, while selecting an appropriate dog insurance policy for your pet.

Whenever you approach a pet insurance company for a dog insurance plan for your pet, make sure that you have completed your background research about the company. Existing clients of the company or interaction with past customers can be a good way to judge the service and product offering of the insurance company. Once you’re confirmed about the reliability and credentials of the company you can go ahead and plan the right policy for your beloved pet. Dog insurance plans will be decided after keeping the age, gender and breed of your pet. Make sure that you find out about all the diseases covered under the plan, as some of the hereditary or genetic diseases can bePriceyto cure.

A secured dog insurance plan should also cover the regular veterinary expenditures and unplanned medical emergencies. Some insurance plans also have provisions for special circumstances like a lost pet scenario or perhaps injury to a third person by your pet. Carefully weigh all your options andchoose the plan most suited to your pet’s requirements. You will find that the nominal premium which you pay on a dog insurance turns out to be much less than what you would normally pay from your pocket for the same expenses. So, get your dog an insurance cover and both of you can rest easy for life.

Having a pet can be one of the greatest blessings for people of any age. Pets often become more like friends to the people who own them. They provide hours of entertainment and fun during the ideal times in life and they provide comfort and companionship during life’s hardest seasons. Many peopleselect to make a dog their pet of choice. When owners practice good dog care, dogs can be some of the cleanest and greatest pets on the earth. Not all dog owners, however, are experienced in good dog care.

Proper dog care is important for all dogs. If you’re going to keep a dog as your personal pet then you had betterdo what it takes to take good care of your dog. There is only one reason for all of the neglected dogs that live in many homes around the world: selfishness. When dog owners are selfish with their time, energy, and affections, good dog care practices fly out the window and dogs are left without owners who really care for them.

If you are a dog owner or are thinking of becoming one, commit to making good dog care choices. One of the biggest things that many people don’t realize about dogs or any other pets is that they take time. If you have no extra time in your life then I suggestthat maybe having a dog or another pet is not for you right now.

One of the biggest elements of good dog care is taking time to be with and care for your dog. Many breeds of dogs need owners who will spend lots of time with them and give them attention. You can not ignore your dog and expect to have a good relationship with it.

Good dog care takes much more than time. Any dog owner knows that most dogs take energy. Most dogs need to be walked and played with outside. If you do not have the energy to give your dog the attention it needs then you shouldThink about getting a less demanding pet. Dog care requires consistent attention and playfulness.

An important part of good dog care is keeping tabs on the health of your dog. Providing healthy food, taking time to let your dog run outside, making regular visits to a groomer to get haircuts and baths, and of course seeing a veterinarian are all parts of good dog care.

Good dog care means work. But I guarentee that if you put time, energy and care into the life of your dog, you will enjoy being a dog owner and your dog will enjoy living with you for years to come.

There are several careers that are related with working dogs and training them. These include being a dog handler, a dog trainer, or a dog groomer. Each of these jobs requires certain skills. But the most important reminder of all is that you are passionate with what you’re doing. If you don’t have a natural closeness with canines, it will be hard for you to carry out your work. In order for you to know which career is suitable for you, you’ve to assess your capabilities. You also need to comprehend thestipulations and chores of the job.

Dog handlers are usually delegated to take the dog owner’s place during dog competitions or dog shows. There are times, when you’ve to travel with ten to twelve canines of similar breed. You enter them into shows or competitions. You are paid by the owner of the working dogs. If ever the dog you are handling wins a cash award, it is possible for you to get a bonus. When you’re a handler of working or show dogs, you take care of several things. These are the show contracts, dog grooming and care, and training.

When you are a dog trainer, you’re assigned to educate dogs. You may also be tasked to teach the owners of the dogs, regarding the proper way to handle their pets. There are trainers that concentrate in the behavior of dogs. There are also some that instruct working dogs how to herd, compete, hunt, or carry out special services. Most dog trainers run dog kennels, which are the same with classrooms. If you are managing a dog kennel, you can promote it online. This is possible through workingdogvids.com, which is a website that offers working dog videos. You can upload videos, which show how you train working dogs.

While there are dog trainers and dog handlers; there are also dog groomers. When you’re a dog groomer, you’re responsible for keeping working dogs and other canines in perfect shape and properly groomed. This goes especially for dogs that are entered in competitions or shows. If you want to specialize in the health and medical needs of the dogs, you can work as a veterinarian. You have to get a degree before you can become a veterinarian. Other careers that are related with dog training are dog walkers, animal behaviorist, judges of dog shows, and personnel of boarding kennel.

If you’re just starting out with your job and you want to learn how to carry out your tasks, you can learn by watching working dog videos. You can find these on Working Dog Videos. This is a website that is appropriate for both trainers and owners. Aside from viewing videos, you can also upload or share working dog videos.

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