Power Walking the Dog Part I : Quick Start
Instead of a chore, make walking a
delight
MetPet.com Staff Writer
 One of the best benefits of living with dogs is the three walks a
day they really deserve. Although it’s easy to let them out into
the backyard, the benefits to humans of the three short jaunts a
day is actually measurable.
Numerous medical studies have found that half an hour of brisk
walking has terrific benefits including:
- it increases muscle mass
- it makes you feel better
- it makes you feel less irritable
- it makes you feel less depressed
- it helps ward off premature death from heart disease
- it keeps your weight down
- it helps you digest food better
- it helps reduce your cholesterol
- it helps decrease blood pressure
- it helps boost energy
- it helps you sleep more soundly
This is based on numerous large and long standing medical studies
and applies to the low-to-moderate activity of half an hour of
exercise a day five days a week. Imagine how much greater the
health benefits of 3-20 minute walks every day.
Dog walking, unlike walking for exercise, is a start and stop
affair if you allow it to be. If left alone, your dog will trot
awhile, stop and sniff every interesting hydrant, bush, tree and
corner and then take off after a cat. In other words, your dog is
walking himself and ignoring you. This is fine for 10 minutes of
each 20-minute walk but the other 10 minutes is reserved for power
walking and real exercise.
Here is the quick start MetPet Power Walking the Dog Program:
This is what you will need:
1. Ditch the retractable leash and use a fixed length nylon or
leather 6 foot or shorter leash. A retractable or flexible leash
may be fine for strolling but is clumsy and difficult to use when
Power Walking. Your dog will pay more attention to you on a
fixed, short leash.
2. Grab 2-3 appropriately sized (for your dog) plastic poop bags.
3. Wear shoes with heavy cushioning and non-skid soles. Wear
thick socks to prevent blisters and comfortable, breathable
clothes in light, visible colors. If it’s raining, add a
weatherproof hat instead of carrying an umbrella.
4. Have a watch handy to make sure you do the entire 20 minutes.
If some of your walking is in the dark, consider a watch with a
lighted face or carry a small flashlight.
This is how to get started:
1. Start off slowly on a flat street. Stroll (< 2 MPH) for 5
minutes or until your dog completes his business. If you keep to
the same feeding and walking schedule every day, your dog will
adapt. If you are returning along the same street, you can leave
the poop bag by the curb and pick it up on your way home.
2. Now that your dog has had time to meander, it’s now time to
Power Walk. Shorten up the leash so that your dog is walking
right next to you. This signals to him that it’s time to move
forward at a consistent pace and not stop to sniff.
3. Pick up the pace to a brisk walk. Keep moving forward at the
same pace for 5 minutes. Initially your dog will balk at the
consistent pace. He will want to stop and sniff and try to eat
the road kill or cat poop he finds along the way. He may want to
fence fight other dogs or examine the tires on every car he
passes. This is typical dog behavior which is why you need to
keep the leash short, his head up and him moving forward. After a
few days, your new walking behavior will become second nature to
your dog.
4. Turn around and pick up the pace again. This should be at a
pace fast enough to be uncomfortable and challenging.
5. Repeat this 2 more times a day varying the route every few
days.
This is all you need to get on the road to improving your mental
and physical health. It’s easy, it’s automatic, and its fun and
it’s very fulfilling.
Related information:
Dogs help people stay fit
Power Walking the Dog Part II |
