It is well known that German Shepherds are a working breed of dog and therefore well adapted to dog sports as well as life as pets.
The German sheepdog is a breed with high energy and has high levels of resistance, which means that it is necessary for them to exercise daily , either by taking long walks or going for a run with their master.
To go for a run with a German shepherd it is necessary to use the appropriate accessories, carrying it with the appropriate leash or a special harness (if you need to purchase any of these items, you can do so at the store of articles and accessories for dogs www.Zoobio.es .
However, you have to control the amount of exercise your dog does, since you can exceed the recommended limits without realizing it . Working dog breeds like the German Shepherd will likely continue to exercise even when they are tired and physically unwell without showing any symptoms of tiredness or pain, simply because they want to please you.
As an aggravating factor, this breed has one of the highest risk factors for hip dysplasia , which although in many cases is congenital, can be worsened or triggered by too much exercise or exercise of the wrong type.
In order to keep your pet healthy it is important to be able to assess when your German Shepherd has had enough exercise . In this article, we’ll share some of the signs that can indicate if your German Shepherd is over-exercising.
Index
Control your German Shepherd’s overheating
Too much exercise will cause your dog to overheat , and although this is easier to happen during the summer and in areas with a hotter climate (especially due to the thickness of the German shepherd’s coat), it can occur at any time of the year.
It is normal for your working dog to pant and gasp after a session of hard exercise, but they should not spend most of their exercise sessions in this way, and should have the necessary breaks to cool off, drink some water and recover. the breath.
Overheating can also be caused by being confined in very hot spaces. A typical example is when a dog is left inside the car, in fact some Tesla models incorporate a system that controls the temperature of your pet.
Muscle pains
A healthy, active and fit dog that spends a lot of time physically active should not suffer from muscle stiffness or soreness after exercise sessions . If this problem is detected, it is a clear indication that the session has been too intense.
Normally muscle pain does not usually appear until the day after the exercise session. In these cases, it is best to take the dog for a gentle walk so that it can relax its muscles and gradually return to exercise sessions, slightly increasing them, but without returning to the level that caused the problem.
Joint injuries
Running or jumping for a long time on hard terrain such as asphalt or concrete puts great pressure on the dog’s joints, which can cause joint problems such as arthritis or lead to inherited problems such as hip dysplasia.
Protect your pet’s joints by choosing well the area where to perform the races and exercises , his health will appreciate it.
Leg wounds
If your dog’s legs are injured or torn or the dog has symptoms of soreness, your German Shepherd is probably exercising too much or doing it on an unsuitable type of surface.
Your German Shepherd loses weight
The more active your dog is, the more food it will need to maintain its energy levels and maintain a healthy weight. However, if your German Shepherd looks healthy but loses weight, it may indicate that he needs a little less exercise rather than more food.
Consult with your veterinarian about the right diet for your German Shepherd and how to adapt it to his exercise requirements, his state of life and health.
I love the animals. Reading and writing about them, their customs, their peculiarities or the attention they require is exciting, and I also believe that it makes us better people. I share articles that solve the questions that dog caregivers face on a daily basis.