Dog Exercise with Super Fit Fido Club
The Need for Speed! Trotting Speed for Maximum Health Benefit

The previous blog Get Your Trot On contained the video 'Segment 1: What is Trotting?' which revisited the gaits that dogs have and examined the varying speeds. This segment explores the right speed for trotting your dog for fitness training.

If you have an older dog, overweight dog, a giant breed or a young dog whose bones have not stopping growing the fast paced trotting program is not for you. These categories have different needs which will will be discussed in upcoming segments. The fast trotting program is for dogs that are in relatively good weight and would like to increase their overall fitness level. SFFC always recommends that you visit your vet before starting any exercise program.

The speed of trot affects your dog’s workout. A fast trot is when the dog is fully extending his limbs and is close to breaking into a canter. The video below 'Segment 2: Perfect Trotting Pace' details the correct movements for maximum fitness benefit. Once your dog can handle this pace for 30 to 40 minutes, 3 times a week you are on your way to living a Healthy Canine LifestyleTM.

One mistake I see frequently when people and dogs run together is that their pacing is way off. Although I’m all for exercising your dog -- you need to know what speed is correct for your specific dog. Otherwise you could over-tax your pet, cause a serious injury or life-threatening condition. Plus, if your pacing is off the run could quickly become uncomfortable for the dog thereby teaching him that exercise isn’t fun. Which means next time you’ll be dragging the dog out the front door to go for a run.

Before Getting Leashed Up

• Age and size of dog matter. You should generally wait until your dog is two years old and his bones have stopped growing before starting a serious trotting program. This is especially true of larger breeds. Giant breeds such as mastiffs and Newfoundlands should never be trotted extensively for exercise but rather swim or take long brisk walks. Extensive trotting can injure their joints.

• Brachycephalic breeds or short-muzzled breeds such as bulldogs, Boston terriers, boxers and French bulldogs can have trouble with labored breathing so you need to make sure that you are not pushing the dogs too hard or exercising them in hot temperatures.

• Trotting for long periods should be done during the coolest part of the day, early morning and late afternoon.

• Dogs should not have eaten at least 2 hours before trotting exercise to avoid health hazards such as bloat.

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