Re: Exercise

In Reply to: Exercise
Posted by:  Sandy Horvath
Posted on:  June 27, 2001 at 15:04:12

: My JRT will be a year old on 7/22/01. I currently exercise her with daily bike rides. She runs next to me for approximately 30 minutes. I stop about half way to let her rest & offer her water. She never wants to rest, although she does sometimes drink the water. Could she last for an hour bike ride? How do I tell how much exercie is enough? This is my first JRT and I don't want to over do it. Thanks for your advice.

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Hi Sandy.

Keep a close watch on your jack and its breathing. Is she panting heavily? That is a sure sign that she is too hot.

Your jack may not take water--but that does not mean that she is not overheating. When a dog gets hot, it may not want water. What it needs is to have it belly cooled off or its groin area cooled off. In other words, it needs a dip. Its body temperature must be brought down. Just like when people overheat and they put cold towels or ice on their pressure points--same thing. Dogs need to get their bellies cooled off.

Dogs do not run miles or hours at a time. If you notice, they go in spurts. No dog runs for miles straight. So for years their bodies have been going in bits and then they stop.

Keep that in mind when you exercise your jrt. Keep an eye on its breathing and its body temperature. They do not know when to stop. So we must--as their guardians ("parents") be vigilant as to when when they have had enough.

Good luck to you and happy birthday to your baby!