Dask visited the clinic for his vaccination shots and his six-monthly check-up. Dask, pronounced ‘dusk’, is a two-and-a-half-year-old black male labrador.

The visit was going fairly well. His examination revealed nothing untoward, his coat was glossy, diet was regular, stools were normal and his appetite was good.

All well and good. However, at weigh-in, we found that at 35kg he had gained a couple of kilos over his previous weigh-in six months earlier.

You might very well ask: “What’s two kilos for a fully-grown labrador?” The thing is, two kilos on a dog – even on a large dog – is rather more than what two kilos represent on a human adult.

In fact, upon closer examination, it was evident that Dask was on the verge of losing his waistline. So it was inevitable that Dask’s exercise routine was the next topic of discussion with his owners.

Dogs are inherently working animals. Be it for the purposes of herding of animals, hunting, protection or rescue, dogs are at their best when they are active. There are a number of conditions which stand out as the inevitable outcome of a lack of exercise.

Apart from the obvious problem of weight gain, medical problems become a real issue. Problems such as arthritis, diabetes, poor blood circulation, difficulty to breathe, inability to cope with extreme temperature changes, digestive disorders, back issues, heart disease and birthing difficulties in female dogs are all real risks.

There are also several behavioural problems your pet may develop if it is not regularly exercised: destructive behaviour, separation anxiety, excessive barking, and self-licking, resulting in sore spots (known as hot spots), are all conditions linked to lack of exercise.

Exercise also has important psychological effects on the benefits of dog socialising. I recently had occasion to experience first hand the devastating effects solitary confinement had on a dog. This was a particular case where a one-year-old dog was left locked up in a pen before being rehomed under the care of a loving family.

The consequences of this dog having been confined for most of the first year of his life and the after-effects as he attempted to cope with the tumult of his new life were extraordinary.

Every single experience other dogs would ordinarily take for granted was a totally new experience for him. Fear of open spaces was a major factor, as were sudden movements and loud noises.  Everything terrified this dog.

And when in the comfort of his new home, he voluntarily spent the first three weeks pressed up against a corner, almost as if he needed to feel the familiarity of staying within the enclosure of the three-metre-squared area that had characterised his old pen. From the physical aspect, the loss of muscle tone due to a lack of exercise was aggravated by a lack of appetite because of his severe depression.

Thankfully, this dog is now well on his way to being physically and mentally rehabilitated by his new loving and determined owners, but this case served as a reminder as to how important it is for a dog to interact with all aspects of normal life – including enjoying an active life outdoors. In such cases though, things have to be done gradually.

Exercise is something which has to be built up and thereafter maintained regularly for it to have any real health benefits. It is pretty pointless to keep a pet confined at home with little exercise and taking it outdoors once in a blue moon to play ball.

Exercise is something which has to be built up and thereafter maintained regularly for it to have any real health benefits

With stiffened joints and weakened muscles, the outcome might very well be torn ligaments and aching joints. It is also clear that different breeds need different amounts of exercise and that this depends on your dog’s age and physical state of health. It is always a good idea to discuss this subject with your veterinarian.

An important aspect to be aware of in the case of puppies of large breeds such as German shepherds and rottweilers, as well as giant breeds such as the newfoundland, is that apart from their general state of health, it is important to avoid exercising them too much, as this could very well result in hip-dysplasia.

Similarly, deep-chested dogs – classical example of which is the bassett hound, yet this applies more or less also to all dogs – should not be exercised too soon after a meal because this could cause a serious and potentially fatal condition of stomach dilation or torsion. Again, always discuss your dog’s well-being with your vet, who is able to advise you on what is good or bad.

Exercise can take many different forms. A brisk walk would be the most straightforward form of exercise, the duration of which should be gradually increased. Your dog would probably appreciate an occasional change in route to expose him to different smells and conditions. Depending on the open spaces available to you, you could increase the amount of exercise by using an extendable lead or, where permissible, exercise your dog off the lead.

You should plan to take your dog out for a walk at least twice a day. If you are out at work most of the day, an early morning workout for your dog would make the most sense, as this would mean that it has already dissipated its energy before being left home alone.

You can create even more challenging exercise drills by working your dog up and down a flight of stairs. If you have the space and means to do this, setting up an obstacle course, such as tunnels or jumps, will also mentally stimulate your dog. This is where rewards come in handy and are just as effective if they are healthy slices of fruit, cubes of toasted bread or commercial treats made of healthy and natural substances.

Your vet will advise you in this regard. Any exercise undertaken needs to take into consideration the season and time of day. If your dog is panting or struggling to keep up, take note and discuss the options with your vet.

Even if your dog does not have access to a yard or garden, this does not mean that it will be unable to exercise itself in any way. Playing fetch is, of course, a form of play most dogs enjoy. If you have a treadmill at home, getting your dog used to it is not unheard of, but please start off on the lowest speed and never tie your dog to the treadmill bars or leave it exercising unattended.

Swimming is an optimum form of exercise and certainly one you should consider for your dog, seeing we are surrounded by seawater. Some dogs take to swimming much more than others and there are designated areas where it is permissible to let your dog swim.

I recall that most of the better muscle-toned dogs I have examined had some form of swimming included in their exercise regime. If you experience behavioural problems when you take your dog out to exercise and socialise with other dogs, you should not give up. Speak to your vet as there are natural remedies and medications.

There are also dog trainers you could consult to find a way to solve problems. The sooner these are overcome, the better. Another option for those who do not have the time to walk their dog or who need to go abroad and prefer to leave their dogs at home is to seek the services of dog walkers.

My discussions with Dask’s owners concluded with an exercise regime and a target weigh-in within a couple of months. With all the family members willing and on board, an exercise plan can be introduced in gradually and methodically – not only for Dask’s benefit but also for the enjoyment of the whole family.

thisweekwiththevet@gmail.com

Dr Martin Debattista is a veterinary surgeon.