Spring into Exercise!

Just a few days until spring, according to the calendar. We've already turned our clocks ahead, so the evening light lasts longer. Many of us look forward to longer, warmer days, greening grass, and blooming flowers. As the days lengthen and the temperatures moderate, we can help our dogs and ourselves be more healthy by getting outdoors and exercising.

Exercise Benefits People and Pets

Exercise is important for our dog’s health as it is for our own, and living with a dog can help us be more diligent in our daily exercise. Many dogs, especially those of the herding and hunting breeds, need activity to keep them not only physically healthy, but also from becoming bored. Without activity, a dog can become destructive, chewing on furniture or digging up the yard or carpet. Depending upon the type and personality of your dog, a romp in the park, a few throws of the ball, a couple of chases of the Frisbee, or even a meandering around the neighborhood all add up to a healthier, happier dog. Some dogs, like the toys breeds, don’t need lots of activity; a simple walk around the block will suffice. Whether it's an hour or two of playing fetch or a short jaunt around the neighborhood, exercise adds up to a more enjoyable day for your pooch – and for yourself!

Get Out and Smell the Roses!

Fresh air, sunshine, fragrances of tulips and daffodils, birds singing – the great outdoors is calling to us and our dogs this spring! Allow your furry friend some extra time in your fenced backyard to drink in the sights, smells, and feelings of the new season. Spend time out in that yard with your dog, enjoying your pet’s company and tossing a toy around for amusement.

Walk your dog in the park or around your neighborhood. Walking is great exercise for both human and animal, and partaking of spring’s flavorful sights and sounds stimulates the mind as well as the muscles in both you and your dog. A simple stroll or a long, leisurely walk benefits your physical and emotional health – and your dog’s as well.

Types of Exercise

Perhaps running is more your sport. Many dogs, such as labs and border collies, also benefit from a jog or run. These types of dogs need more active exercise than a short walk around the block, and the companionship you’ll share on such an outing with your dog helps cement the dog-human bond. Hook your pet’s leash to your waist and head on out there!

And, when those spring snows return, hike out to the ski trail, the city park, or an open field and spend time in the white powder, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing... or simply “hiking” in the snow! Throw a few snowballs for your pooch (but not AT him!), enjoy some fresh air and laughter... have some fun together despite the wintry weather!

Cabin fever strikes us all in the waning hours of winter; the coming of the new season of spring helps alleviate some of that by providing extra daylight, extra sunshine, and extra-stimulating fragrances. So, get outdoors with your dog and help bring in the new season of spring outdoors with your pet – you’ll both feel better for it!

Exercise Your Pet -- It's Good for You, Too!

Winter is finally coming to an end (thankfully!) in Wyoming, and many of us anxiously look forward to longer, warmer days, greening grass, and blooming flowers. As the days lengthen and the temperatures moderate (sometimes!), we can help our dogs and ourselves be more healthy by getting outdoors and exercising.

Exercise is important for our dog’s health as it is for our own, and living with a dog can help us be more diligent in our daily exercise. Many dogs, especially those of the herding and hunting breeds, need activity to keep them not only physically healthy, but also from becoming bored. Without exercise and activity, a dog can become destructive, chewing on furniture or digging up the yard or carpet. Depending upon the type and personality of your dog, a romp in the park, a few throws of the ball, a couple of chases of the Frisbee, or even a meandering around the neighborhood all add up to a healthier, happier dog. Some dogs, like the toys breeds, don’t necessarily need lots of activity; a simple walk around the block will suffice. Either way, an hour or two of playing fetch or a short jaunt around the neighborhood, adds up to a more enjoyable day for your pooch – and for yourself!

Fresh air, sunshine, fragrances of tulips, lilacs and crabapples, listening to birds singing – the great outdoors is calling to us and our dogs! Allow your dog some extra time in your fenced backyard to drink in the sights, smells, and feelings of the new season. Spend time out in that yard with your dog, enjoying your pet’s company and tossing a toy around for amusement.
Walk your dog in the park or around your neighborhood. Walking is great exercise for both human and animal, and partaking of spring’s flavorful sights and sounds stimulates the mind as well as the muscles in both you and your dog. A simple stroll or a long, leisurely walk benefits your physical and emotional health – and your dog’s as well.

Perhaps running is more your sport. Many dogs, such as labs and border collies, also benefit from a jog or run. These types of dogs need more active exercise than a short walk around the block, and the companionship you’ll share on such an outing with your dog helps cement the dog-human bond. Hook your pet’s leash to your waist and head on out there!

Casper is fortunate to have wonderful walking and running paths and great parks for playing Frisbee or throwing a ball -- as are many communities, both large and small. Enjoy these special places with your four-footed friend this spring!

Cabin fever strikes us all, and the coming of spring helps alleviate some of that by providing extra daylight, extra sunshine, and extra-stimulating fragrances. So, get outdoors with your dog and help ring in the new season of spring – you’ll both feel better for it!

Spring is coming!

Is spring arriving where you live? This wonderous season is trying to make a comeback in the Rocky Mountains where I reside, and the pets know it! (The songbirds seem to feel it, too, I've noticed this week!) The dogs are restless and want to take more walks each day, and the cats want to spend more time in the backyard. Let them, I say! They need the exercise, and frankly, so do I. With temperatures climbing into the upper 40s to mid-50s and sunshine showing (I know some of you southern types may be shivering just thinking, "It's only 45 or 50, and she thinks spring is coming?!", but for one living with temps only in the 20s or maybe 30 for four months, 45 is WARM!) now is the time to put on those walking shoes, get out the garden and grass rakes, and take yourself and your animals outdoors! Make sure your pets are safely with you, whether on a leash while near the street or within sight while in your backyard. Being out in the fresh air and sunshine is good for our pets and good for us people, too.
I hope spring is coming where you live. If it's already there, count your blessings -- snow will continue to fall off and on where I live for the next two or three months. That's what I like about spring, though -- it's a hopeful season, and I'm hoping it comes to stay and SOON!