By Peter Passiglia
It was an early spring morning in Woodhaven, Queens and Forest Park was full of runners getting their daily exercise.
But not all the runners were on two legs. Four legged varieties were also getting a workout at the K-9 Korral, a fenced-in park inside Forest Park where dogs have room to run freely.
“Charlie was shy around people and other dogs when we first brought him home, bringing him to the dog park is a great way for him to get exercise, and it has really helped him become more comfortable around dogs and people as well,” said Marcie Jacobson, a regular at the dog park. Charlie is a four-year-old Louisiana Catahoula Leopard dog.
Dog parks like the K-9 Korral are important to New York City’s dogs and their owners, who often have a difficult time finding places to exercise and socialize their pets.
Urban dogs often are left at home while owners work and they can get lazy. Being idle for long periods of time can cause dogs to gain weight which can lead to your dog developing diseases, heart conditions, and generally having a poorer quality of life.
“Before starting on an exercise program you would check with your doctor, the same care should be taken with your dog,’ said Dr. Howard Nachamie, who runs the Mobile Veterinary Unit in Forest Hills. Liver, kidney, heart, and skeletal conditions are just a few things that a veterinarian will check for your dog.
Dr. Nachamie said he was concerned with his patients’ health, but he also works on relationships between pets and their owners. He explained that dogs are social animals, and their behavior can be influenced by their socialization or lack of it.
Dog owners can reap the benefits of a well socialized dog, and in a highly populated city having a well socialized dog is almost a necessity. “The dog park is a great place for dogs to get used to being around other dogs and play,” said Mike Riley, a dog owner at Madison Square Park in Manhattan.
Not all dogs like to go outside, or they may not be used to going out that much. Dogs can still get exercise indoors, so don’t let bad weather keep your dog from getting its exercise.
Many city residents may not have access to a park or a running path so they have treadmills at home and your dog can be trained to run on them as well. A simple and fun way to exercise your dog at home is to just play with them.
Even lap dogs need their exercise. “A dog’s muscles will atrophy over time when not used, some exercise is really important to prevent this,” said Dr. Nachamie.
An overweight dog that does not get much exercise is at a higher risk for disease and other ailments. The overweight dog has more mass for its body to support and if its muscles have atrophied that just adds more stress for the dog’s skeletal system, joints, and heart to bear.
Pet food manufacturers have a wide line of products designed for the overweight dog. Dr. Nachamie said it is important to give your dog time to gradually adjust to new foods in its diet.
“Using moderation when feeding your dog and giving it snacks in between its normal feeding time is a good way to keep your dog’s weight in check,” Dr. Nachamie said.
Dogs are carnivores and can eat most foods that people eat, but again moderation should be practiced. Some foods like raisins, grapes, and chocolate can be toxic to a dog if ingested in certain quantities.
“At 125 pounds he eats a lot, so my husband or I bring him to the dog park at least twice a day to get his exercise,” said Meg Kearns, owner of Shep, a two-year-old Bouvier Diflanders. She likes meeting fellow dog owners at the dog park and the sense of community it creates.
In a city not all buildings allow dogs. Dog owners know this and are willing to pay the cost to have their dogs live with them. The love they get back from their dogs is priceless.
Many owners feel that their dog is part of the family. An exercise program can help keep an owner and its dog living a healthy and full life.
When your urban dog is ready to start its exercise program Dr. Nachamie has some tips for the owners.
1. Moderation and common sense cannot be stressed enough when exercising a dog.
2. Take it slow in the beginning and gradually increase the time of your walking sessions or play time.
3. Avoid giving large amounts of water before exercising your dog, and give moderate amounts of water after exercising. Too much water can give your dog cramps which can lead to colic a painful intestinal condition.
4. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog. Dogs don’t sweat they pant and expel heat from their ears and appendages. Keep your dog in the shade when possible.
5. Avoid running on hard surfaces. Walking on cement is a good way to file a dog’s nails, but too much running on it can lead to joint problems and other conditions.
6. You should be aware of ticks and fleas even in the city.
7. The relatively easy process of imbedding an identification microchip in a dog can help you recover your dog if it’s ever lost.
Great job!!!!!