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Dog Spring Training: How to Get Your Pup Ready for the Season

Spring is finally here! Now is the time to take advantage of the good weather and kick off a dog spring training routine. So, get outside and hit the ground running with your pup!

Keeping your dog active is essential to being a successful pet owner and making sure your dog stays as healthy as possible. Dog spring training can help your dog burn off any weight he — and you — gained over the winter. After all, exercise is just as important for your dog as it is for you.

Both young dogs and adults need a lot of activity to stay healthy, and even senior pets benefit from consistent exercise, like a daily workout, to help maintain their health. It doesn’t matter what type of exercise you choose, just pick what works best for you and your dog. Whether you’re going for a long walk or a run, your dog will be happy just to be by your side. Even if you’re just going to play frisbee in the park, you and your dog will still be able to get the activity you both need to stay healthy.

Good exercise is one of the best ways to spend time with your dog, and dog spring training is a great way to make sure your dog is getting enough activity. You can also use dog spring training to help build endurance that will carry your pup throughout the rest of the year. Consistent workouts with your dog will help you be able to do more together, and longer workouts mean more time spent together with your furry friend.

Exercise is one of the best ways to spend time with your pet. It’s especially important for large breed, working, and active breed types. Dogs are wonderful athletes and most can adapt to strenuous exercise, provided they have had adequate opportunity to “train” and the environmental conditions, like heat, are not too extreme. During any dog spring training regimen, make sure that you always have plenty of water — and maybe even some treats — on hand.

Recommendations for Dog Spring Training

Daily exercise is recommended unless the weather is especially dangerous or a medical problem limits your dog’s activity. Obviously don’t go out in a lighting storm for a jog around the block, but your dog might also have a condition that can make exercising more difficult. Obese dogs and those with heart and lung conditions may be at a higher risk, so be sure to talk with your veterinarian before beginning a new exercise regimen.

Spring weather can be unpredictable — warm one day and cold the next. Be certain your dog has plenty of water available at all times, and provide a place to cool down out of the sun. In addition, if the temperature drops sharply, exercise should be limited. And, don’t forget: even in cold weather, an exercising dog needs plenty of water.

Almost all dogs, especially older dogs, those with heart and lung problems, and those with thick hair coats, are likely to have trouble with hot and humid conditions. It’s better to exercise in the early morning or evening when the heat is less than 80 degrees and the humidity is less then 30 percent thus avoiding the hot and humid conditions. Try and plan your workouts ahead of time so you don’t run into a problem with the weather.

You should also always keep your dog leashed, for his protection and the protection of others. When you’re around other people, the one situation you have control over is how your dog reacts if he’s on a leash. Especially if you’re going to be in public, having your dog on a leash is important to making sure your time together is calm and productive. Even an obedient dog may suddenly want to greet another animal or person. In high traffic areas, this could easily lead to tragedy. Be aware of your surroundings and be aware of your dog when you’re exercising in order to make sure that you both stay safe.

Now get out there and get started with your dog spring training!

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