Walk v/s Cycling - Page 1

If we want to improve the hind quarters(Hind Legs) and back of a dog,which is best walk on a long and tight leash or free leash cycling.

I think swimming is the best.

I too have heard swimming is the best. It allows for superb exercise without impact on the joints, which could damage - not improve the the joints.

Hi Imran Zia! In-line skating is a fun way to train a dog. Not everybody lives in a country where dogs can swim freely in each pond or lake. In Belgium dogs are not even allowed on the beach or in the lakes in summertime, can you imagine that? And who wants to bathe the dog in winter (freezing temperatures in B.)? I'm not a bodybuilder, but one needs "exercise" to build up muscles. Trotting beside the bicycle (which the dog should never be allowed to "pull") might not be sufficient (good for endurance though). The dog must "drag" an object (cartires?), or his handler. In-line skating seemed to be perfect for me (without much impact on MY joints). One can adjust the force he has to pull very well, and let him heel beside you when he gets tired. Try it out. It's great fun. Be prepared for cats and rabbits (or whatever prey lives in your country). If you fail to anticipate them, you're bound for a smack on the face or a rollercoaster drive.

We have same problem here in Germany as Jantie explained about Belgium. It¿s not possible to let the dogs swim everywhere. That¿s relly sad as I also believe it¿s probabally the best way to train a dog. And I aslo like taking the dogs out for a tour on skates. The dogs get trained and me too, as I¿ve to work more then on the bike. Until my old Hayos died I used to take with me skating, min. 3 times a week between 20 - 30 km and he had no problems at all with that. Beside of that we train our dog on long leash in the forrest or on sandy underground (the Joints). And I take the dogs with me to hills once a week and take the dogs for a walk up the hill (I know not everybody lives near the hills or the mountains).

when these subjects come up -- i am just so amazed about the comments -- i gain a lot of insight -- A German Shepherd Dog -- i think it was a hearding dog ... although herding has different tasks and styles --- this dog is to almopst be on the go all day -- to be agile .. to spin almost on a dime .. to jump and to protect etc .. -- let's see -- the GSD afficanados are concerned about the best way to exercise a dog .. and how to develop a gate -- ?? I must be igmorant -- all my GSD's and i have 12 . most run in pack [ most not fixed ] , they jump even as pups and wrestl;e with each other ... they chase each other around and spin to boot .. , some have been taught grafting a sled , some personal protection othersd agility courses ...i never realized the GSD was such a dleicate , un- muscular poor critter ... do you people hae dogs or toys ... sorry for the sarcasm ... but i am asounded at the degradation of the breed when i see yhe commentaries like this -- -- i also have a belgium malinois -- if you ever talked to the french or belgiums . the aussie owner and those from the scottish highlands like these posts -- they would think the GSD is a Shitzu - we would be a laughing stock -- soiunds so ridicouls to talk about a herding/protection dog this way-- oh by the way i have amny dogs from VA 1 seigers --- so don't say the show line os different -- it is a dog too

Hi Alphapup, we spoke about training, not of everyday business of the dogs. We keep our dogs in a quite big yard for "Germans". And they run around in a bunch most of the day, too. Still we do training for shows and I believe that¿s pretty common. And by the way, here in middle-europe most of the breeders and dogkeepers don¿t have the opportunity of letting their dogs run in a big yard. Different counties, different opportunities. But I also agree with you, if you say that it¿s in the nature of the German Shepherd to run around the hole day.

Hi Wienerau I agree with you,I come from Pakistan,and weather does not permit us to train our dogs all year around.In summers our dogs can only go for a small walk,1/2 a km.We start training dogs arounf Oct and our show season starts around NOV & ends in March.so within 1 month we have to train & exercise the dog which are two different things. So usually a dog gets in condition within three months. We usually prefer to walk the dog on a tight leash for 2 km or run him for 3-4 km. Is it right to train a dog for 6 days a week?

Hi Imran Zia I guess if you ask ten different dogpeople you¿ll get ten different opinions about the right training but to my mind it depends a lot on the dog. Some dogs needs to be trained more and some less. Right now we only need to train our two almost 8 month old dogs and we do that once a week on tight leash 2-3 km and in addition to that, one or two times "ring-training" to get them used to what hopefully will come. But in your place I would go with what you are used to do if you feel it gave you the wanted results in the past.

Hi Mr Imran, I just came across your query. I hope I may be able to help you out a bit in this matter. I would advise you to develop a pray drive in your dog. This pray item may be a ball, tug or frisbee. Then after you achieve this prey drive development in your dog you would be able to make him do anything. Just take your dog to canal... throw that pray item into canal and make your dog fetch it. In the begining try to avoid any kind of distractions for your dog. Take it to some place where there are no much people around. Believe me this would really help you out. In begining just make your dog fetch the item 2 or 3 times not more than that. Becuz this is quite a tough excercise plus your dog must not get bored with it. Try to work on KISS philosophy. Regards, Bilal