http://lifewise.canoe.ca/Living/2006...f-1597294.html

It's time for a walk

Barking dog is great at-home exercise reminder
By LORRAYNE ANTHONY, CP



Digital Vision/Digital Vision/Getty Images
TORONTO (CP) -- While dogs have long been known as man's best friend, they could also be a woman's best workout buddy.
Walking seems like the perfect exercise -- no fees, no class schedules that conflict with work and no need for special yoga pants. Still, some women may feel nervous about going out alone, and a four-legged walking companion is one solution.
"Dogs don't call in sick," said veterinarian Marty Becker, co-author of Fitness Unleashed: A Dog and Owner's Guide to Losing Weight and Gaining Health Together. "They never have a better offer."
In addition to simply being there whenever you want to work out, Becker said that dogs will actually remind their owners to exercise every day. The jumping, whining and barking can be a powerful motivator to go out for a 20-minute walk.
Dianne Singer, 51, has seen the benefits of a canine-enforced exercise regime.
The Toronto law clerk had put on extra pounds because of long hours at work and too much take-out food. Even though she had a dog, evening walks were cut down to a "quick walk around the block."
When she realized she had to lose the weight she increased the walks to an hour every night. And when she got in better shape she started in-line skating or bicycling with her dog in a harness beside her.
"I find dog walking is one of the more pleasurable moments of my day. It's exercise ... then I can indulge in butter tarts without a guilty conscience," she said, adding that a year or so after she cranked up the doggy activity she was about 70 pounds lighter.
There's more than anecdotal evidence that dogs can get people moving.
A University of Victoria study suggested dedicated dog owners log almost twice as much exercise time as their poochless neighbours.

What are your needs?



Great for the family too!
Photodisc/Photodic Green/Getty Images
Shane Brown and co-author Ryan Rhodes surveyed 177 men and 174 women aged 20 to 80 in Greater Victoria and found the dog owners walked an average of 300 minutes a week, compared with 168 minutes a week for the others.
Their findings appeared in the February issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Joan Weston of Fangs But No Fangs, a dog training service in Caledon, Ont., said most people know that having a dog means more exercise. Still, some are intimidated about getting a dog because they think a pet will demand more walks than they will be able to provide.
She suggests finding the right breed and age of dog to suit specific exercise needs.
"Don't think because you see a border collie running in the park for three hours a day that that's what you are going to have to get," Weston said at the Women's Health Matters forum held in Toronto earlier this year.
She advised people to go to their local humane society or rescue centre and talk about the needs of different breeds to find a dog that fits into their lifestyle.
Weston also advises women embarking on a doggy fitness regime to be prepared for unexpected trouble by carrying extra treats.
"Food is your friend when it comes to stray dogs and scary dogs as well," she said, adding that if you get ambushed by an unknown dog you should throw a handful of treats at him. "It will buy you a couple of minutes to get out of the situation."
Humane societies and rescue centres are always on the lookout for volunteers wanting to walk dogs.
"I find the people who volunteer do it for the love of animals. They want to help the animals get exercise," said Joanne Tremblay, volunteer and events co-ordinator at the London Humane Society in southern Ontario.
Becker, who is the resident veterinarian on Good Morning America, said keeping animals fit is often a good reason for many people to go for a walk.
While most adults know they have to exercise, they often put it low on their list of priorities -- even when a doctor tells them they need to lose some weight for health reasons. But Becker finds that when he tells a pet owner that their dog is overweight and needs more exercise, they are more than willing to go for walks.
So if you aren't going to get in shape for your own health, do it for the dog, said Becker.

Yep, doggies are great walking companions! My neighbor takes his walking while he inline skates! I have to stick to walking, but I do feel much more comfortable going out for a walk with my doggie, don't think I would do it alone.

__________________

My dog drives me nuts if I don't take her for a walk. She just has way too much energy! I'm sure that I wouldn't walk as far, as fast, or as often if she wasn't here keeping me at it.

__________________

Yea Luv2 You have a great walking partner! Gizzie doesn't last so long, especially once the weather gets hot, she's black and close to the asphalt so she over heats pretty quickly...then I end up having to carry her...LOL, I guess that's even better excercise, but when I'm already hot that fur against me makes me even hotter!

__________________

LOL you have my sympathy! This week i've upped my runs with my dog to 30 mins...when i get home he stands and looks at me with this 'what....that's it??? look' LOL.

__________________
Started Atkins March 2004

Yeah, it was hot and humid the day before yesterday and DOG stopped at almost every shade tree for a short rest. She was more than willing to go to the car and go home to the a/c. We're either going to have to go earlier or later, I guess.

Yesterday she broke her retractable leash and we had to end our walk after only 2 miles. She was not happy at all and didn't want to get in the car.

MoG, I've never taken an animal to the groomers before. Can they thin her coat for summer wear?

__________________

Oh yes Luv2, I have Gizzie shaved every summer! They can do pretty much anything you want! And when she's shaved she is so much happier, its easier to bathe her too and to keep the fleas and ticks off of her! She sure looks funny tough, but only for a couple of weeks! her fur grows so fast! They can cut just a little or a whole bunch, whatever you want!

__________________

I love taking my dog with me but he actually slows me down, so we only go for leisurely walks. The pooches in the pics are adorable.,