Power Walking the Dog Part II : Adding Variety

How to keep walking with your dog an interesting activity

MetPet.com Staff Writer

Once you've gotten into the daily routine, it's time to power it up by adding some challenges.  There are just a few cautions.

- If you enjoy having a couch potato for a dog, then adding more power walking is likely to make your dog so fit he'll need to go out....more often.  While light exercise can take the edge off of the highly energetic dog, lots of exercise can require even more exercise in the future.

- As with all weekend athletes, a dog who sits around all week needs to be eased into strenuous exercise. 

- If you're increasing exercise, you may need to add more food to your dog's diet. 

- Always check his feet to make sure he's not overdoing it.  If he has trouble getting to his feet or groans when he plops down at night or walks oddly then it's time to take a break. 

- Dogs are highly sensitive to heat both in the air and on the ground.  They are relatively inefficient in getting rid of the heat in their bodies especially if they have thick, furry coats. 

On a warm day, place your hand on the sidewalk or street.  If it's hot to the touch, it's too hot for your dog's paws. Always take water, or know where water is available on your summer walks. 

- Small, thin and dogs with light coats are also sensitive to the cold.  Clothes, while sometimes just for amusement (ours), are actually necessary at times.

Add hills

Finding elevation is the easiest way to add more power to your Power Walking.  You can start off with walking small hills or by walking up steep hills part of the way.  Not only will you develop muscles and stamina quickly, a familiar hill is a great way to tell how much more fit you and your dog are becoming. 

Add minutes

If you've started off in our standard 20 minute increments, you can keep adding 5 minutes a week until you can work up to 1 hour.  At that point, you can probably see a difference not just in your dog but in you.  At this point, you're adding endurance and muscle. 

Add speed

Instead of strolling at under 2 MPH, you can speed it up to a steady 3 MPH.  Once that becomes old hat, you can walk at a brisk 4-5 MPH.  If you're in a big hurry, you can hit race walking speeds of 5 to 9 MPH.

If you're walking the same route, you can map out each mile by car assigning landmarks to each mile. 

Add terrain

Now that you're Power Walking consistently, both you and your dog will become bored with the same routes.  If your immediate area is limited in variety, it's time to get into the car and head for a new neighborhood. 

If you normally walk on the sidewalk, a nature walk on dirt paths is a refreshing change.  If you can add walking to or around water that's an added bonus.  Other natural alternatives include beaches, forests and meadows.

If, on the other hand, you normally walk through natural areas, a trip to the city is interesting and challenging.  Since you're going to be Power Walking, try and start out when there are few crowds and relatively little traffic. 

Related information:
Power Walking the Dog Part I
Dogs Help People Stay Fit
Geocaching With Dogs