Exercise

Chasing Balls

Pet supply stores sell an enormous variety of toys; rubber tug-toys, pull ropes, and squeaky cubes, to name just a few. These high-end gizmos may catch people’s eyes, but they often leave dogs yawning. As any child who has turned a stick into a spaceship can attest, the best toys are usually the simplest. And nothing is simpler than a ball.

Balls are so attractive, in fact, that larceny is common. Dogs in parks have been known to stake out the tennis courts, waiting for an errant ball to fly over. Little League games have been interrupted by dogs running into the outfield to grab slow grounders. And more than a few children have gone to bed crying because family dogs have shredded – or at least slobbered on – their favorite balls.

Dogs Were Born To Chase

Wild dogs and their ancestors (the wolves) weren’t stealthy, silent hunters the way cats are. They had to chase their dinner. The fastest, most-eager runners were the ones who got the most to eat, and they lived long enough to have plenty of puppies. Multiply this by a few thousand generations, and the result is an entire species with an instinct to run and chase.

Dogs certainly don’t confuse a baseball in the yard with a running rabbit. But the love of chasing has been deeply bred into them. What they once did for business, they now do for fun. Chasing is just one reason dogs love balls. Catching is the other. Many dogs have been bred to hold things in their mouths. A ball isn’t as exciting as a downed duck, but the sensation of holding something is probably very satisfying.

Plus, dogs have the opportunity to carry balls back to their owners, and this makes them feel as though they’re fulfilling their life’s mission. It’s precisely what their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents did, and they’re carrying on the tradition. One of the things that makes dogs great pets is that they’re so adaptable. They’re born with a drive to chase prey. When they chase balls, they’re translating that drive into a game instead.

Dogs prefer tennis balls. There’s something about these colorful, fuzzy globes that dogs find strangely intoxicating. This is partly because of the size. Tennis balls are small enough for most dogs to hold comfortably, and large enough so they don’t slip down their throats, explains.

More important, tennis balls have a soft, spongy surface, which is perfect for picking up and retaining scents. They get a very personal scent from the dog’s mouth as well. They can smell that it’s their ball. Best of all, tennis balls have a springy texture that dogs adore. When they chew, the balls squish down, then pop right back. That bit of compression is a great workout for their jaws. Some dogs feel lost when they don’t have a tennis ball to chew.

Chasing Balls

Pitbull Exercise

Proper exercise tips for your Pit Bull

Pit Bulls are very active and athletic dogs. They have an unlimited supply of energy and can play for long hours without tiring. You will seldom find a Pit Bull resting in a shade for a long period of time, but you will often see one that is running and jumping around with the passion and enthusiasm that only a Pit Bull can have.

You need to take certain precautions to make sure that your Pit Bull’s exercise is both fun and safe. You should always have him wear a leash whenever you take him outside. Regardless of how smart or trustworthy he is, he should never be allowed to go off-leash unless he is in your yard and surrounded by a tall and sturdy fence. When excited, even the smartest and the most trustworthy of dogs will sometimes forget their training for just a moment, which is all it takes to scare other people, run in front of traffic, or run away altogether.

You should never let your Pit Bull run free in public places. No matter how gentle and friendly he is, he could be perceived as a threat or a nuisance, especially for those who have a prejudiced opinion against his breed. Furthermore, many places prohibit dogs, especially dogs that are off their leash. And if your Pit Bull is not wearing a leash and an accident happens that involves another human, you are morally and legally responsible for it. Having the potential of endangering your dog’s life and possibly endangering another human being is not worth letting your dog run around without a leash.

There are great ways of giving your Pit Bull his exercise, while keeping him on a leash. Taking him for a walk is an excellent low-impact exercise for both you and your dog. You can start with a short walk and then gradually work your way up to longer distances. An adult Pit Bull should get a minimum of half a mile of daily walking, and of course more is always better.

Pit Bull puppies should never be walked long distances because too much walking can damage their developing bones. Older dogs and obese dogs should not be forced to walk farther than they can comfortably handle. Jogging is another fun exercise you can do with your dog. However, you have to work up to longer distances gradually.

As a safety measure, avoid jogging with your dog during hot weather. Pit Bulls are not built to be marathon runners; they cannot cool themselves as well as humans can and might suffer from heatstroke. Also avoid jogging your dog on hard surfaces which are bad for their joints. Always check the footpads for abrasions, tearing, gravel, or blistering from hot concrete. During winter, check in between the pads for balls of ice.

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Pitbull Exercise

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Dog Exercise in the City

As someone who lives in the city, there are many ways to exercise a dog in your area. Why limit your dog’s exercise just with a walk in your neighborhood? There’s an attitude among some city dwellers that having a dog in the city isn’t fair to the dog. Somehow, there is this myth that dogs are happiest in rural areas where they have plenty of room to roam, or in suburban areas with big backyards.

The city offers many options for exercising your dog. Owners should view the city as a vast playground. Often, it is a matter of using your imagination. One of the best ways to take advantage of your city area is to go running with your dog. When an owner runs with a dog, it is a beautiful thing to watch.

Many breeds of dogs were meant to run. Why not share a runner’s high with your dog? Good advice when running with your dog is to run with him on leash and to observe the rules of the street, of course. I know runners don’t like to stop at street corners with their dogs while they are running, but I hate to see a dog being taught that he can run across the street without stopping and not given the proper cross command. As a runner, you have to stop at street corners with red lights while running in place, so do the same thing whenever you arrive at any given corner.

It is not advisable to take a young puppy on a run since it will be hard on his hips and his bones are too soft. But when a puppy reaches his ninth month, he should be able to go safely on long runs with you. Check with your vet to find out when your dog is ready to start running with you.

If you run in the park, you don’t have to worry about crossing at different streets. But you will have to teach him to stop at strategic areas along the path, such as cross paths, parking lots and other congested areas. Keep a leash on your dog so that it will be a smoother run. There are too many distractions around, and your run will be interrupted if he starts chasing a squirrel or rabbit.

Running teaches your dog to follow you since he will be running at your side. Your dog does not have to be at a perfect heel during a run. What you basically want to share with your dog is a good rhythm. If you are using a harness, he can run in front of you.

Running is also great for developing the musculature structure in dogs. Just take care that you don’t run on days that are too hot for your dog. You will also want to inspect his pads after a run since they can take a beating on asphalt.

Dog Exercise