Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Nordic Walking with our Canine Friends
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From: Jeanne Goldberg
Philadelphia, PA
My dog, Lucy, a Cocker Spaniel, is my steady partner in Nordic Walking. Except for an instructors course I took with ANWA (American Nordic Walking Association), she has been with me on every walk. We have walked on nice sunny days, in pouring rain and in the cold--pretty close to freezing.
In the past, when I took her out to the park, she got no exercise and neither did I. Of course she didn't particularly want to be fit, she just liked to smell every pole and tree. I walked along a little depressed because I live in the city and had to take her out many times a day, each time getting no exercise.I always start out giving her time for her "pit stops" and then give her a few along the way. I don't stay long. I say WALK with a strong voice and she know I mean "get going."
Once in a while she smells something along the way that interests her and she tries to get me to stop. Sometimes I do, but not always. I just stop to let her "go." I wear a 'belly bag' and hook her leash onto that. I give her enoughroom to avoid the poles but not so much she would be too far away and endanger herself or get in the way of others.
I always make sure to take water for both of us. It is also important to watch where you walk. We have some trees at the waterfront where I often walk that drops seed balls with spikes and I have to be carefulshe does not step on them. When I cross a street I usually grab the leach because the lights are not long and I have to move fast. I also want to make sure she is near me in case a reckless motorist pulls out too fast.
I have walked on wooded trails, along the waterfront, along a lake and on hardtop with her. We did our first five mile hike this week. I usually keep her on the side away from traffic. I have a retractable leach and you have to make sure it is closed sothe dog does not pull away from you. Mine was open one time and she went behind me and out in front of a bicycle that was going by. A lady screamed but he did not stop. The leach caught my wrist andI got a big gash in it before the bike broke the cord. That hurt! I have a scar that looks like I tried to slit my wrist.
I am talking to a dog trainer about putting together a program for Nordic Walkers and their dogs. I figure if we have a few dogs together we might have some new challenges that he could help us with.
Lucy says hello....
Enjoy!
Jeanne
From: Jeanne Goldberg
Philadelphia, PA
My dog, Lucy, a Cocker Spaniel, is my steady partner in Nordic Walking. Except for an instructors course I took with ANWA (American Nordic Walking Association), she has been with me on every walk. We have walked on nice sunny days, in pouring rain and in the cold--pretty close to freezing.
In the past, when I took her out to the park, she got no exercise and neither did I. Of course she didn't particularly want to be fit, she just liked to smell every pole and tree. I walked along a little depressed because I live in the city and had to take her out many times a day, each time getting no exercise.I always start out giving her time for her "pit stops" and then give her a few along the way. I don't stay long. I say WALK with a strong voice and she know I mean "get going."
Once in a while she smells something along the way that interests her and she tries to get me to stop. Sometimes I do, but not always. I just stop to let her "go." I wear a 'belly bag' and hook her leash onto that. I give her enoughroom to avoid the poles but not so much she would be too far away and endanger herself or get in the way of others.
I always make sure to take water for both of us. It is also important to watch where you walk. We have some trees at the waterfront where I often walk that drops seed balls with spikes and I have to be carefulshe does not step on them. When I cross a street I usually grab the leach because the lights are not long and I have to move fast. I also want to make sure she is near me in case a reckless motorist pulls out too fast.
I have walked on wooded trails, along the waterfront, along a lake and on hardtop with her. We did our first five mile hike this week. I usually keep her on the side away from traffic. I have a retractable leach and you have to make sure it is closed sothe dog does not pull away from you. Mine was open one time and she went behind me and out in front of a bicycle that was going by. A lady screamed but he did not stop. The leach caught my wrist andI got a big gash in it before the bike broke the cord. That hurt! I have a scar that looks like I tried to slit my wrist.
I am talking to a dog trainer about putting together a program for Nordic Walkers and their dogs. I figure if we have a few dogs together we might have some new challenges that he could help us with.
Lucy says hello....
Enjoy!
Jeanne
