Humans for Dogs

Does your dog need a treadmill?

You can now buy a treadmill specifically designed for dogs, like the Total Pet Health Exercising Dog Treadmill. As people work longer hours, live in places that don't allow them to exercise their dogs, and their dogs become overweight, more and more people are turning to treadmills designed specifically for dogs. (Be sure to use the ones designed for dogs as using treadmills designed for people may injure your dog.)

Just keep in mind that dogs love other types of exercise like walks and playing catch. So while a doggie treadmill might be necessary to keep them in shape given your lifestyle, if at all possible let them exercise in a way that they consider fun, not work! (Just wish I loved walking and playing catch as much as they do!)

 

How to tell if your dog is fat

You can tell if your dog is overweight by looking at him or her.  You should be able:

• to feel the ribs,
• see a waist from above and
• their tummy should tuck - be higher than their ribs - when viewed from the side.

If your dog has no waist when viewed from above and the side and you can't feel the ribs, then your dog is likely overweight.

Talk to your vet, feed your dog a quality dog food in measured amounts and take your dog for lots of walks.  It's good for both of you!

Backpacking with your dog

Backpacking with your dog can be a lot of fun if you do it right.

• First, pick the right pack for your dog. Your dog should be able to move her legs and elbows freely and lie down in the pack.  The straps should fit like a collar – you should be able to fit a couple of fingers between the straps and your dog.
• Second, get your dog used to the pack. The first couple of trips your dog’s pack should be empty or contain just a      few ounces.
• Also, if you do a lot of bouldering or hiking in close quarters, your dog will need to learn that it’s now “wider.” Different dogs learn in different ways – just like people. When I take Teddy bouldering, if she reaches a tight spot, I can say “hang on” and then I can point or gesture to the best path and she’ll take it. Chase, on the other hand, wants to figure it all out for himself. The first time I took him bouldering I was really worried. He got stuck at least six times in the first half hour! But once he got the hang of it, he turned into a bouldering pro and never needed any help with suggestions or with getting unstuck.
• Watch the weight. Dogs should carry no more than 20% of their weight in a pack. Some breeds like huskies may be able to carry more weight relative to their size than other breeds like greyhounds. Their breeding and bone structures are obviously different!
• Be careful what you put in the pack. Never put anything in your dog’s pack that you can’t do      without! Another good suggestion, especially if your dog likes water, is never put anything that can’t get wet in your dog’s pack! I usually have them carry their own food well sealed in ziplock bags. I’ve also tied a small piece of matting to the top of their pack for them to lie on at      night.  They could probably carry more weight so now that we’ll be backpacking with a baby, I’ll probably add a few other things to Chase’s pack.
• If your dog yelps when carrying the pack or refuses to move, listen to him or her! Especially if they used to carry it happily. When Teddy started yelping whenever we put the pack on, it turned out she had a slipped disc! After Teddy slipped a disc, I never had her carry a pack again, even after the chiropractor fixed her back.

Enjoy backpacking with your dog!

The Secret to Keeping Snow Off Your Dogs Paws

I've written about keeping dogs warm in the winter and about buying a sweater for your dog, but I haven't written about one of the most important things, keeping your dogs paws warm and snow free when walking in the snow.  Here are some things to consider:

• Dog booties.  We have tried a lot of different types and a lot of different brands.  The ones that stay on the best are ones we bought were flourescent orange hunting ones we bought at Cabelas.  (We used them not just for hiking in the snow but for also covering injured paws that we didn't want the dog to chew on.  That worked until Chase chewed through one ...)  Some booties are just for warmth and some also have traction.  The higher up on the leg they come, the more likely they will stay on.
• Medical tape.  This is my favorite. I just wrap medical tape around their paws.  This works really well when it's not too cold but you have a dog with long hair that is always catching snow and forming icicles between her toes.
• Trim the hair.  You can trim the hair between the main center pad and the toes, but not between the toes.  This will help cut down on icicles.  If your dog does get snow balls, let them melt, don't try to pull them off or cut them off.  (I ended up cutting my dog trying to do that on one snowshoeing trip.)
• Vaseline can help sooth paws already irritated by the snow and it can also help prevent snow build up if you put it on before you go out.

Any other tips to share with us?

Photo by nuanc.

Dogs know what is good for you: exercise with your dog, it's the best way!

Exercise with your dog - take him or her for lots of walks!  It's good for you and good for them.  Researchers have determined that people that walk their dogs regularly are happier and healthier than those that go to the gym for exercise. 

The study of more than 1,500 dog owners and gym goers with an average age of 47 found:

• The average dog walker trod 676 miles a year - 208 miles than gym goers
• Dog owners walked the equivalent distance as Bangkok to London over their pet's lifetime
• A third of York's residents were gym members, while 19 per cent had dogs
• Most dog walkers were likely to stick to their routine, whereas just over half of gym goers lost interest after two or three months
• More than half of gym members reported suffering high stress, compared with 35 per cent of dog walkers.

So don't forget to take your dog for a walk today!  (As if you could forget when they sit in front of you for hours with the leash in their mouth!)