Fitness for Fido as printed in the December, 2000 Houston Sports News
The physiology of dogs is very similar to humans. No wonder, then, that one of the biggest health problems for people happens to be the number one concern of veterinarians--obesity. An overweight dog is at risk for a number of undesirable conditions such as diabetes, respiratory ailments, and joint disorders. Now, with better nutrition, better veterinary care, and more options for exercising your dog, he/she can live longer and with a better quality of life than ever before. Knowing how to manage your dog’s weight and health is the key.
1. Do a rib check once a week. I ran into a training client one day and asked him about his dog, a female black Labrador Retriever. He said proudly “she’s really growing--up to a 100 pounds now!” Having worked with the dog and familiar with her size, I knew that 70 pounds would have been a perfect weight for her and that now she was a poster child for Weight Watchers. Weight means nothing if it’s composed of too much adipose tissue (otherwise known as fat)! Regardless of breed, the best way to determine if your dog is at the proper weight is to do what ‘s called a “rib check”. When you run your hands along the sides of your pet, you should be able to easily feel the ribs without having to apply pressure. If you can’t feel the ribs at all, your dog is obese. When you view your dog from the top down, he should be wider through the chest than through the hips. Although uncommon in pets that are cared for, visible or protruding ribs are not a healthy condition either, and weight gain would be indicated in this case.
2. Chow Chow Chow= Chubby Chubby Chubby. I am adamant about putting my clients’ dogs on a controlled feeding schedule. This is a must in training because it helps establish an appropriate hierarchy between owner and dog. It’s also important in maintaining health. Because we can’t imagine skipping a meal or three each day, people often think that their pets must eat as often as they do. When a dog becomes picky about eating, they start free feeding or “doctoring up the food” with canned food or cooked meat. This usually starts at around 6 months of age when a puppy’s growth starts to slow and, consequently, so does their appetite. Except in rare cases, healthy dogs will not starve themselves and will eat when they are hungry. Therefore, food should be measured and given on a schedule in which access is limited to 20 minutes. Don’t worry if your pet misses a meal or two the first time you try this. They will figure it out in a day or so. On the opposite end of the spectrum, some dogs such as Labrador Retrievers and Beagles are genetically prone to gluttony and could eat non-stop if given the opportunity. It’s a good idea to put these dogs on a reduced calorie/high fiber diet and feed more frequently, so that they will feel satiated. There are many choices of foods but in the case of a “premium food”, you do get what you pay for. The contents are higher quality and contain more digestible ingredients.
3. A Walk A Day Keeps The Veterinarian Away. Exercise carries the same benefits for dogs as it does for people. It is defined the same way as well. Frequently, when I ask a client how often they walk their dog, they say, “He runs around the yard so I don’t have to walk him.” Cardiovascular exercise (the kind that trains your body to burn calories more efficiently) is defined as an activity performed at an elevated heart rate in a continuous pattern using the large muscles of the lower body for an extended period of time (generally 20-30 minutes). For most dogs (except the high energy ones who can entertain themselves), “running around the house or yard” does not fit the bill. Research has indicated that, in general, dogs do not play in the absence of their owners. So if you think that Max is out there throwing his own ball and then retrieving it while you’re at work, you’re probably mistaken. These days, there are many options for keeping your pet active that are fun for both owner and dog. Agility, flyball, tracking, obedience, and Frisbee are just some of the activities you can enjoy. At the very least, a daily walk in one of Houston’s beautiful parks will help keep your dog in shape and around for years to come.
4. Training -- The Mind/Body Connection. One of the things that keeps people from walking or exercising their dogs is that they are too unruly, pull on a leash, or simply don’t mind when in public. To me, there is no more enjoyable, peaceful experience than to run or walk with my Labrador Retriever knowing that he will heel without becoming distracted or lunging at other dogs. It’s no fun to walk a dog who attempts to pull your arm out of its socket. A heel command is probably one of the most challenging ones to teach a dog and may require the assistance of a professional trainer if you have a persistent lunger. It would be money well spent if it means that you and your dog could go walking or running anywhere in the city without the risk of a rotator cuff injury. Training a dog also provides your dog with mental stimulation as well. A bored dog quickly becomes destructive and some breeds are more prone to this than others. Dogs were not bred to be couch potatoes and if you don’t find some activity to use up the energy that he was genetically programmed for, he’ll expend it in a way that may result in the loss of your yard, your furniture, and ultimately, your temper. If you do decide that you want to get involved in an activity like agility or flyball, your dog is going to need to be in good physical condition as well as obedience trained to participate safely.