October 1st thru the 7th is National Walk Your Dog week. In honor of this our friends at My GBGV Life and Cascadian Nomads are hosting a blog hop.
Here at Heart Like a Dog not only are walks an important part of Sampson’s recovery from ACL surgery, we also LOVE walking.
Sampson and Delilah are considered ‘senior’ dogs because they are both over 7 years old. We started walking about four years ago to help Sampson and Delilah lose weight. Before Sampson tore his ACL we walked once a day, typically in the evenings and our walks were usually between 25 and 35 minutes. On the weekends when time was less restrictive we would often times walk up to an hour.
When I sat with the physical therapist to discuss Sampson’s recovery I told the PT that I typically walked the dogs and if I noticed they were getting tired I turned around. She explained to me it’s better not to let them or their muscles get tired. While it’s perfectly okay for them to walk an hour a day, it should be broken up into smaller walks.
Since Sampson’s surgery we’ve been doing two walks per day. This actually works out to between 45 to 50 minutes during the week and an hour or better on the weekends. The dogs are super happy about this.
While I typically let the dogs choose our walking route, once we are on our way I map out the route in my head. When time allows we just walk, but during the week when we are walking before I have to leave for work, I set the timer on my phone for 10 minutes. When the timer goes off (usually when I’m in the middle of picking up a poop) we turn around and head home. In the evenings I have a bit more time so I don’t use the timer.
You’ve heard the saying, “A tired dog is a good dog.” Well I’m a firm believer that tiring out the mind as well as the body is beneficial.
So here are our tips to help make for an interesting walk.
- Bring different treats and work your dog on obedience. We practice “with me” (similar to heel), “leave it”, “look” and “up”. I use up when a car is coming. This means lets get up on the grass and out of the road. Delilah is pretty good at this and will get on the grass and sit. I don’t require Sampson to sit because I suspect he’s not always comfortable sitting.
- If you can, vary the times of day that you go out This is great especially if you are stuck taking the same route every day. A change of time means a change of scents. To free up some time in the evenings, I come home whenever possible and walk the dogs on my lunch. Even if we go the same route we did in the morning, the smells are different at 2:00 pm.
- If at all possible try and get your dog somewhere so they can have a little off-leash time, fenced in baseball fields are perfect for this. You can let your dog run willy-nilly and work on their recall as well.
- When time permits try and get your dog out onto the trails or into the woods. There are SO many scents to explore out there and even 20 minutes will tucker them right out. I try and get Sampson and Delilah up to our woods at least twice a week. Just for variation.
Remember your dog’s age, physical capabilities and weather are all things to take into consideration. When we first started walking we might have walked for 20 to 25 minutes but we didn’t cover a lot of distance. So if your dog (or you) are out of shape, start off slowly.
With diet and exercise Sampson and Delilah lost about 30 pounds EACH. If we can do it, so can you!
Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom says
Great post, Jodi!! I love walking with my dogs, too; but I hate that I’d have to get them in and out of the car twice to go to the park for a decent walk. Ducky and Shadow can handle it; but Callie’s hips and knees seem to be bothering her a bit more lately. In fact I’m thinking of taking her to the vet this week for a checkup.
Molly The Wally says
We off now to go and celebrate with a nice long walk and paws crossed the rain stays away. Have a marvellous Monday.
Best wishes Molly
Cupcake says
You are SO right about tiring out the mind being an important part of walking. Walking is also good for Mom’s new knee. We can’t let it get lazy. 15 or 20 minutes at a time is our longest walk. But we walk 3 more times a day for 5 or 10 minutes. On days when Mom goes to the gym, we can’t walk too far. I always have to study commands on my walk so I don’t turn stupid or naughty. I am never off my leash.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
lauranne says
When I moved in with BD and the ex, my weight just fell off me. I didn’t realise but I’d be out walking for over an hour every day. As I got better at walking (more used to walking would probably make more sense) suddenly distances didn’t seem as far and something that pre ‘the ex’ would have been a long walk and I’d get into my car I would look at and think why not walk it (saving money!) However, due to the DIY need I have had to cut my walking, I am terrified that I am going to loose this and go back to being a couch potato!
Emma says
Wow! We had no idea your dogs lost so much weight, that is awesome! Mom is laughing at the tip about letting us off leash to practice recall as we would be off and gone so fast! Can’t trust us hound types off leash! Your pups are lucky to have great walks every day, and it is good for you too! Thanks for joining the hop!
Two French Bulldogs says
Sincey back and knee surgery and my current aches and pains, I tell mom when I can’t walk. I stop and just look around enjoying the breeze
Lily & Edward
Jen says
Your walking tips are spot on, especially with regard to treat variety. Elka is very particular about how she values different treats while we’re on a walk!
Beth | Daily Dog Tag says
Wow 30 pounds each! Good for all of you! I like that up command, seems like that would be really useful in an area without sidewalks!
Frankie and Ernie says
WE went fur a ride in Jennifer Jeep today… and we had to walk down the stairs to get in her. Do you suppose THAT would count as a walk? It is pouring rain and we don’t Like that since we are DACHSHUNDS.
Sand Spring Chesapeakes says
Great tips and what lovely walks you do. I love your walk stories.
2 brown dawgs says
Great tips. I like the tip of setting the timer on your phone.