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"All About Pitbulls"
All About Pitbulls: Page 22
of 28
Proper exercise tips for your Pit Bull
Pit Bulls are very active and athletic dogs. They have an unlimited
supply of energy and can play for long hours without tiring. You will
seldom find a Pit Bull resting in a shade for a long period of time,
but you will often see one that is running and jumping around with the
passion and enthusiasm that only a Pit Bull can have.
You need to take certain precautions to make sure that your Pit Bull's
exercise is both fun and safe. You should always have him wear a
leash whenever you take him outside. Regardless of how smart or
trustworthy he is, he should never be allowed to go off-leash unless
he is in your yard and surrounded by a tall and sturdy fence. When
excited, even the smartest and the most trustworthy of dogs will
sometimes forget their training for just a moment, which is all it
takes to scare other people, run in front of traffic, or run away
altogether.
You should never let your Pit Bull run free in public places. No
matter how gentle and friendly he is, he could be perceived as a
threat or a nuisance, especially for those who have a prejudiced
opinion against his breed. Furthermore, many places prohibit dogs,
especially dogs that are off their leash. And if your Pit Bull is not
wearing a leash and an accident happens that involves another human,
you are morally and legally responsible for it. Having the potential
of endangering your dog's life and possibly endangering another human
being is not worth letting your dog run around without a leash.
There are great ways of giving your Pit Bull his exercise, while
keeping him on a leash. Taking him for a walk is an excellent
low-impact exercise for both you and your dog. You can start with a
short walk and then gradually work your way up to longer distances.
An adult Pit Bull should get a minimum of half a mile of daily
walking, and of course more is always better.
Pit Bull puppies should never be walked long distances because too
much walking can damage their developing bones. Older dogs and obese
dogs should not be forced to walk farther than they can comfortably
handle. Jogging is another fun exercise you can do with your dog.
However, you have to work up to longer distances gradually.
As a safety measure, avoid jogging with your dog during hot weather.
Pit Bulls are not built to be marathon runners; they cannot cool
themselves as well as humans can and might suffer from heatstroke.
Also avoid jogging your dog on hard surfaces which are bad for their
joints. Always check the footpads for abrasions, tearing, gravel, or
blistering from hot concrete. During winter, check in between the
pads for balls of ice.
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