Doggone Etiquette —

Run! ... Or Don’t!

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:           

Are you aware that you lost an hour’s sleep last weekend? You may not have noticed the change until both dinner and bedtime each came earlier than usual. You dogs don’t function by ticking clocks the way we people do. You go by nature’s clock — sun rise and sun set — which is a lot more sensible. For the past few weeks you’ve gradually made the change. It all boils down to the fact that spring is on its way! The weather doesn’t always cooperate with the clocks, but you can at last begin to look forward to more outdoor fun.

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:            

Spring often means rain, rain and more rain, but between the raindrops you can still get in more time outdoors with your dogs. One caveat: The ground is soft, or just plain mud, so it’s also time to curb the dog’s potential for digging. “Dig we must NOT” is the rule!               

Spring gets to the dogs’ owners too, so here’s some advice for you. All through the long snowy winter your good intentions to get more outdoor exercise went the way of all good things. Now a few sunny, but still cool, mornings are making you determined to do it. Good for you. However, if your plans include your under-exercised dog, first be sure he is physically up to whatever you have in mind. Take Rufus to his vet for a check-up and any immunizations he may need. It is also time to be honest about the weight Rufus may have put on over the winter. Ask the vet how much the dog should weigh, and how to achieve it. The answer is most often the same as is prescribed for people — cut back on the food and gradually increase the exercise.                      

The amount of dog’s food is up to you, but you don’t share it! Exercise, however, is what you may very well want to share. If running is what you have in mind, first determine whether or not your dog is built to accompany you. Medium-sized dogs with short legs (for example, Welsh Corgis, Bassett Hounds, Dachshunds, etc) are not made for running. The same is also true of dogs with flat faces such as Bulldogs, Pugs and several of the Toy breeds. They may be able to cover a hundred feet or so at a dash or a reasonably good trot, but that’s not at all what people would consider running for fitness. If non-strenuous walking is your aim, then any of the medium-sized breeds mentioned above would fill the bill. Many of the bigger breeds have evolved due to their ability to run. The hunting and herding dogs (retrievers, pointers, collies) are natural runners. The so-called Northern breeds such as the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky would rather run than sleep, and the colder the weather, the better they like it.

After a somewhat relaxed, our icebound winter, with only occasional or limited exercise, it is important for both you and Rufus (regardless of breed type) to start out slowly. Neither you nor the dog needs you to brag about how many miles you ran at a breakneck speed.                   

A good plan for starters is to walk a short distance, run a short distance — and then stop to let Rufus sniff the scenery! Ok, we both know that stop will let you catch your breath, and it will ease you into this business of your much-needed exercise. But again, a vet-check for Rufus is essential before you begin. Not too bad an idea to get a check-up yourself.                       

Running is great for some people and some dogs, but a well-paced walk, with occasional slow-downs for sniffing, is good for all.

Until next time – BE GOOD!

- Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years, during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog Fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me!, which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award in 2008.