The Best Workout Partner You'll Ever Have!

Reprinted from www.racecarolina.com Working out with your dogs will benefit you and your pet.  Most of our daily lives are filled with stress, noise, and a lack of physical exertion.  So, is your pet's life.  Well, maybe not the stress part.  My dogs (here to for referred to as "the sweet babies" ) only get stressed if their 8 hour nap between meals is interrupted. While dogs may not be stressed, lack of activity is an issue.     So, here are my top 5 tips to incorporate your dogs into your walking and running routines.  If you have a way to lift weights or do a spin class with your dogs, please send information in - with pictures.  1.  Your dog has a fur coat and it is hot - hit the streets early in the morning and after dark during the summer.  If you can loop back home mid walk to get a drink for the dogs, that is even better.  2. Who's walking who?  Remember, dogs are pack animals.  They will look for someone to lead the pack.  You lead the pack.  Set the tone early in the walk or run and your dogs will run by your side.  If you have a way to keep your dogs from chasing neighborhood squirrels, feel free to send that information in to me. My technique is to reattach my arm after the sweet babies jerk my arm from it's socket, but I digress.  3.  Do IT!  Let your dog's enthusiasm for walking or running motivate you to hit the streets.  Like the commercial says, "just do it". 4.  Let your dog work into your routine.  Dogs will follow your lead, even if it hurts them.  Let your dogs build their fitness.  Dogs are natural Galloway runners.  They like to run, then walk.  You dictate when to run and walk, but doing both will benefit you and your pets. 5.  Hit the trails!  We are blessed to have a great park system in Mecklenburg County.  Walking and running on the trails provides shade and a softer surface for you and your dogs.  Here are a couple of best practices for taking your dogs to the trails. A. KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEASH AT ALL TIMES. B. Bring a bag to pick up poop.  An ounce of consideration goes a long way. C. Bring a bowl for water. D. You should visit parks with which you are familiar.  Keeping up with a dog and navigating an unknown park is too much.  Double check with the park of your choice to discover any dog restrictions.