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Hi I have a question regarding exercise intensity and dogs. Is it possible for your dog to over-exercise itself, as in do they know their own limits, and if so how do I gage if she's pushing herself too hard?
We have a 3 year old cocker-spaniel who is in good condition. When I walk her we often play fetch, she barks at me to throw and we sometimes play for up to 15 minutes. Nonetheless it tires her quite thoroughly when we play for longer and when we get back she pants for quite a long time, sometimes up to 10 minutes - if I give her cold milk she generally stops panting soon after. She will generally nap after this and her legs may also be stiff in the evening, though they are always back to normal by the next morning.
Should I limit her exercise? Her tail wags all the way through and she demands the game continues. I am be particularly interested in the health side of this idea, that she enjoys the play goes without question really!
Thank you for the answers so far and the advice on milk, I've just researched and found most dogs are lactose intolerant and will read further on this.
The walk last about 45-60 mins, and includes up to 15 minutes of play, which will exhaust her.
Let me clarify I want something further than opinion. For instance, her legs go stiff because her muscles are tired, this has happened to me during exercise, is this OK for a dog though? Is it a good thing to exhaust a dog? Yes or no, and if yes then why, and if no then why, I want the why bit too!
We have a 3 year old cocker-spaniel who is in good condition. When I walk her we often play fetch, she barks at me to throw and we sometimes play for up to 15 minutes. Nonetheless it tires her quite thoroughly when we play for longer and when we get back she pants for quite a long time, sometimes up to 10 minutes - if I give her cold milk she generally stops panting soon after. She will generally nap after this and her legs may also be stiff in the evening, though they are always back to normal by the next morning.
Should I limit her exercise? Her tail wags all the way through and she demands the game continues. I am be particularly interested in the health side of this idea, that she enjoys the play goes without question really!
Thank you for the answers so far and the advice on milk, I've just researched and found most dogs are lactose intolerant and will read further on this.
The walk last about 45-60 mins, and includes up to 15 minutes of play, which will exhaust her.
Let me clarify I want something further than opinion. For instance, her legs go stiff because her muscles are tired, this has happened to me during exercise, is this OK for a dog though? Is it a good thing to exhaust a dog? Yes or no, and if yes then why, and if no then why, I want the why bit too!