The Top 10 Reasons Why Your Dog is a Great Workout Partner

1) He or she is never late for a workout session. Chances are good that your dog lives with you and has a reasonable clear schedule. He will be ready to go at the drop of a hat (or the clip of a leash).

2) Your dog will never try to weasel out of exercising. How many workout partners have you had who actually want to go for a run in a blizzard?

3) Your dog doesn't care what you're wearing or how much tuna salad or garlic you just ate. You can exercise and have fun with your dog without ever feeling self-conscious.

4) The enthusiasm of your dog is contagious. If you've ever watched your dog run full tilt around a field with wild eyes, tongue flapping around and a look of unbridled joy on her face, it's time to join her! Your dog will love the company.

5) Dogs thrive on exercise, just like people. Regular exercise makes both dogs and people happier, healthier and stronger.

6) Dogs don't waste time talking. They don't want to stop and chat in the middle of an exercise session. They don't care who said what to whom. At most, they just want to know who peed on what and when.

7) A dog doesn't need to change into its exercise fur. They feature a multipurpose, all-weather coat that doesn't take 20 minutes to change into before they can start.

8) Dogs know the value of good, solid relaxation after exercise. and before exercise!

9) You don't need to buy the latest in fashionable exercise cloths, shoes, or equipment for your dog.

10) Running + dog + sudden rabbit sighting = TURBO BURST

Copyright ? 2002 BetterU, Inc. All rights reserved

Walking is one of the very best exercises for both you and your dog, especially if you are new to exercising. Walking is a great low-impact, calorie-burning exercise as well as being the most convenient of all the various exercises we will discuss here.

Here are some ways to increase the effectiveness of walking for you and your dog:

?Strive to take your dog on longer walks as much as possible. You may not be able to do this during the workweek or in the mornings or evenings but, as a rule, the further you walk your dog, the more calories you'll burn.

?Try to keep a fairly brisk pace. While a leisurely walk is still exercise, you will get better results by keeping up a faster pace (allowing for the occasional sniffing and bathroom breaks, of course).

?Go for the hills. Walking up hills will increase the workload, also increasing the intensity of the exercise, which will in turn, help increase your results.

?Try to keep moving consistently. This can be difficult with a dog that is constantly stopping to sniff everything. To remedy this, try using a long lead, such as a 16-foot flexi lead. This allows your dog to trail behind you somewhat, to sniff things. As they get closer to the end of the lead, give them a signal such as a whistle or a tongue click, to let them know that their time is running out and that they had better keep moving. It may take a few light tugs to get them to learn this but they will learn it. Of course, some smells are extra special and require more attention!

Make sure you stay well hydrated, well rested and you are eating a health diet to get the most out of your workout. This same advice goes for your dog as well. When appropriate supplements may help optimize the benefits of fitness. You can kill two birds with one stone by shopping at www.healthforpeopleandpets.com . They offer both pet supply and nutrition supplements for people.

Health for People and Pets offers cheap priced nutrition supplements including ginseng, vitamins, protein and pet supply products from pet food to dog multi vitamins.

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