Weekend warrior syndrome is a term for dogs who get little exercise during the week but do intense physical activity on the weekends. These dogs are more at risk for fatigue and injury; here are the steps to avoid visiting the vet.
Conditioning: Conditioning your dog is as simple as providing consistent exercise throughout the week, increasing the duration and intensity gradually. A good starting point is 15 minutes a day of walking or controlled ball play. If you want to increase the length of your dog’s walk, start slowly over a couple of weeks. You can add 10 minutes of more intense activity twice weekly, such as jogging or hiking. Allowing your dog a full day of rest in between high-intensity exercises.
Ask your vet: Discuss with your vet to determine if your pet is capable of exercising outside of daily walks. Did you know that for larger breed dogs, it can take up to 9 months for their growth plates to fully develop? Participating in high-intensity activities can cause joint problems such as early-onset arthritis and hip dysplasia.
Know your dog’s strengths and weaknesses: Breeds such as retrievers and pointers are great running companions, whereas brachycephalic dogs, also known as short-nosed dogs, aren’t made for running or swimming.
Understanding the risks: Not properly conditioning your dog or overdoing exercise can lead to serious medical injuries such as cranial cruciate ligament tears (ACL tears) or other orthopedic concerns. Be sure to monitor your pet for limping, difficulty jumping up or using stairs, or the inability to get comfortable.
Be safe, and reach out if you have any questions!