It's Memorial Day and I'm using today to take an extra long walk with my Boston. He's a fairly energetic dog who can walk quite quickly (as long as it's not too hot), and we're gonna go on a street roaming adventure! I know some of you have big dogs and others have little ones, so everyone's speed needs will be different. The latest issue of Self magazine [1] provided a couple tempo tips that I wanted to pass along:
- Stroll: 3 mph Breeds including French Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do well at a leisurely tempo like this.
- Brisk Walk: 3.5 mph Higher energy small dogs can benefit from this speed, like Miniature Poodles and Yorkshire Terriers, for example.
- Jog: 5 mph Golden Retrievers and Jack Russells have lots of energy . . . best burned off at a quick pace!
Now see my advice when you .
When taking to the streets with your pups:
- Make sure you walk at an appropriate tempo! If your pet is huffing, wheezing, or trying to stop, he may be trying to tell you something – you both can slow down and smell the roses.
- If your dog is tugging and pulling the leash, he may not be acting naughty, he could just need more exercise. Walking quickly, or even jogging, with higher energy breeds can help them work off steam and (hopefully) be a bit calmer when it's rest time!
- Some pooches, North included, enjoy mixing it up. Try walking quickly for part of the time, and more of a stroll for the rest. This allows doggies, and you, to burn off a tad more calories, but not come home totally pooped. I like to walk on a street busy with people, then duck onto side streets for this purpose. On the busy streets, we have to navigate the crowd and my dog wants to sniff "hi," but, on those quiet streets, he's ready to pick up the pace!
As always, if it's hot where you are, carry water and take breaks on any long walks. Getting fit should be fun for you both!
Source [2]