The Right Exercise and Activity for Your Overweight Dog

Match exercise and activity to your dog

No matter what age, size, shape, breed or mix of dog you have, you can't just push him into an exercise program until you know he is healthy. Overweight dogs are similar to couch potato humans and very obese persons, who need to start exercise, like walking, at a slow rate for a short distance.  They will work their way up to a faster rate and longer distance, as they start to lose weight and get stronger. See your veterinarian before you start exercising your dog to lose weight.

Your veterinarian will give you the go-ahead and prescribe an exercise regimen for your dog. Besides the physical condition of your dog, different breeds of dogs require different types of exercise. Some kinds of exercise are just not suitable for certain types of dogs.

Short Nose Dogs

Dogs with short noses such as Pekingese and Bulldogs often can't exercise very much. They easily get short of breath. They can overheat and even die when exerting themselves, especially when it's warmer. Swimming might seem to be a good exercise for keeping these dogs cool, except that they typically don't swim well, either -- and in fact some Bulldogs can't swim at all; they just sink.

For these dogs, walking at a slow pace when it's cool is the best exercise, working up to increased distance very gradually. They can be exercised indoors in air conditioning. Bulldogs like treadmills. Pekes like to play with balls and other toys FOR A SHORT PLAY PERIOD.

Dogs with short Legs and  Long Backs

Other dog breeds who need special consideration are those with long backs and short legs, such as Welsh Corgis and Dachshunds. These dogs are, not surprisingly, prone to back injuries, which means activities that demand leaping and twisting movements (such as chasing a flying disk) are not a good idea. These are active dogs, however, so if you come up with activities that keep all four on the floor, you'll be making your dog happy -- and keeping him healthy. My Cardigan-Welsh Corgi Reno loves to go for walks and to FETCH his squeaker toy when we throw it. He doesn't catch it. He waits for it to land and then picks it up and brings it back. He likes to run and play tug-of war. This is a good way to play with other smaller dogs such as Yorkies, Malties, Shih Tzu, Chihuahuas, toy poodles, terriers.

A dog with short legs and a long back that needs special treatment is the Basset hound. Young bassets shouldn't exercise a lot. If you get a Basset hound from either a breeder or as a rescue, be sure to get instructions about how to raise one of these long flop eared dogs.

A book has been written about a rescue Basset hound that became a service dog.

Most middle size and larger dogs need lots of exercise and can become obese couch potatoes when fed too many treats and too much human food. These dogs, especially retrievers, love to catch balls thrown either on land or in the water.  They love to play tug-of-war. Our black Labrador retriever swam after our row boat, when we wouldn't let him ride in it, because he threatened to tip it over.

Our Cardigan-Welsh Corgi, Reno is a rescue dog. He gained a lot of weight the first few months after we got him. We soon learned that he is a "con dog." He wouldn't eat his food until he checked out what we were eating to see which he liked better. Often his "dog" food went untouched. He developed "love handles" and has no waist. I can still feel his ribs under a generous layer of fur and fat, but he has been put on a diet and exercise program.

We cut out all his between meal treats. We feed him first. We don't prepare anything for ourselves, or even act like we are interested in eating. We started feeding him dog food that is kept in the refrigerator and then warmed in the microwave. He likes this food and gobbles it up. Then when we have our meal, he begs as if he is starving. We ignore this "con dog" behavior.

Controlling Weight After Neutering

Some dogs who get neutered gain weight more easily and quickly than before, therefore making them vulnerable to becoming "fat." Neutering can lead to shifts in a their metabolism of both males and females, and therefore can trigger increased appetites. This could be particularly true in puppies who are neutered prior to sexual maturity.

Awareness is key to halting potential weight gain and obesity. If you feed your pet nutritious and balanced commercial canine meals in proper portions, you should be on the right track. Make sure that your dog receives enough exercise for his breed type daily.