One of the points fitness experts mention to individuals that do not exercise, and want to start a fitness program, is to walk their dog. This is good for both the individual and the dog. Letting the dog, or dogs, get out of the yard and put in a mile or two of walking neighborhoods has several advantages. The most obvious advantage is that the exercise is very beneficial for the health of the dog. A lesser advantage is when neighbors see you walking the dog they will learn to recognize the dog. When the dog escapes your yard and goes for a walk without you, the chances of a neighbor recognizing the dog and getting it back to you, are very good. This saves you the price of paying the fee at the dog kennel to retrieve your dog.
Starting a dog walking exercise program is not always easy. The training of your dog may take a few excursions before the walking program goes smoothly. I have had several dogs that I have taken on walks and some went better than others. I had a Siberian Husky dog that would follow along beside me without a leash and even kept up with me when I ran. He would get too hot during some of the summer runs. He would find a pool of water and jump in to cool off and then join back with the group. He was good about staying by my side when he saw a stray cat or animal so that helped.
Another dog I tried the walking program with was a Great Pyrenees. These are big dogs and very strong willed. Many of these dogs are used on ranches to protect sheep and cattle from predators. When we went for a walk, and I use this term with some hesitation, it was more like the dog was taking me for a walk, or slow jog. The first block was a brisk run before he slowed down. Trying to slow, or lead, a determined Pyrenees is a futile effort. I used to think that as hard as he was pulling on the leash we could have plowed a field. The lead changed after several blocks and he let me do the direction and pace for the remainder of the walk.
