I’m always talking about the benefits of exercising with your dog.
We love to hike and I used to occasionally run with Chester and Gretel (yes, believe it or not, Dachshunds can go running). However, I’ve found that walking is the easiest, and most convenient way for me and my pups to exercise together.
I think that any basic exercise plan has to start with walking. If you and/or your pooch are out of shape or a few pounds too heavy, walking is the best way to ease into a more intense exercise program. For example, I don’t suggest hitting the trails with your dog until you have a steady walking routine down.
If you are just starting an exercise program, regular walks should be your aim.
If you aren’t used to physical activity, start out with small walks around your neighborhood . After you can walk about an hour 4 days a week with ease then you can start adding longer, faster-paced walks or hikes.
Counting Calories Can Motivate
For me, things like getting a new piece of workout clothing or gear can kick start my motivation. Sometimes, it also helps me to know how many calories I’m burning during an activity.
I know, a fitness watch will do that for you. But some people just want a ball-park estimate and don’t want to be tied to a piece of technology while out enjoying the fresh air. Part of the reason we walk is to clear our minds and get away from all of that stuff, right?
If you want to get an idea of how many calories you will burn walking your dog, enter your height, weight and age into this calculator. Then select “walk – dog walk” from the activity drop-down menu and enter either time OR distance. The estimated amount of calories burned will appear.
For example (me), a 165 lb person walking for 45 minutes at a normal walking pace will burn 213 calories. I walk Chester and Gretel at least 3 days a week for 45 minutes each so I burn 639 calories a week dog walking.
To be clear though, this calculator is for a walk where you are intentionally exercising – walking at a brisk pace with few or no stops to sniff around.
Sniff-fest type walks are just fine if your goal is to fill fido’s nose with wonderful scents. However, you and your dog won’t burn many more calories doing that than you do sitting on the couch.
For ambitious types that eventually want to get into jogging or hiking with their dogs and up the calorie burn, here is a beginner tip:
Just like people who aren’t used to exercise, dogs should start off slow.
Moderately-paced walking is a good way to start—it lets canine athletes build their cardiovascular and muscle strength without putting undue stress on their joints. A daily ten- to 15-minute walking session is a good place to begin; you can build to an hour a day if your pup seems up to it.
If, after a few months, fido doing well and can handle long, fast walks without fatigue, he can graduate to hiking with you if you want.
Give the calculator a try and tell us how many calories you burn a week walking your dog.
yuki the dog says
July 9, 2011 at 5:55 AMhey there coming by from the hop, i did always wonder how many calories i burned when walking yuki my schnauzer. i usually like to walk for about 40 minutes, after dinner. happy saturday 🙂
Cherie K. Miller ( says
July 9, 2011 at 6:11 AMStopping by on the pet blogger hop – I especially liked your calorie counter – I volunteer at the Etowah Valley Humane Society and walk a LOT of dogs!
Go to Pet-peeves.org to see the very best cat band/cat lady video ever. It’s destined to become a viral hit and you’ll be one of the first to see it!
Happy Caterday from Chairman Meow and his minions (the pups).
Hawk aka BrownDog says
July 9, 2011 at 2:33 PMHi Y’all,
It’s too hot here to do much of anything. When we get mornings that aren’t too humid, my Human will jog with me. Winter is runnin’ time for us. Lots of days I only want to go out long enough to take care of necessities. I’ll have my Human check to see how many calories we burn…
Y’all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
AdventureJess says
July 9, 2011 at 7:26 PMWe don’t have the problem of too much heat here 🙂
sagechronicles says
July 9, 2011 at 3:30 PMI often get in a couple of long walks a day with my dogs and, yes, it helps with the weight loss! I also carry a pedometer along with me so I know how many steps I’ve taken per day. It even calculates calories.
AdventureJess says
July 9, 2011 at 7:28 PMI wish we had enought time to get out for two walks a day! We have a hard enough time getting out for one!
2browndawgs says
July 9, 2011 at 3:55 PMWalking is a good way to start exercising. I tend to do more in the spring/summer/fall and not so much in the winter. I am not a fan of super cold weather. 🙂 The calculator is cool. Thanks for posting it.
AdventureJess says
July 9, 2011 at 7:27 PMWe aren’t fans of walking in winter either when it is cold, dark and wet here. We just get out and walk when we can and go for a snowshoe on occasion. Our winter activities are definitely lacking.
Mary Hone says
July 10, 2011 at 5:59 PMDoes reining in an exuberant Aussie puppy burn more calories? I think maybe yes. Check out my post tomorrow for great pictures of where I walk the dogs all the time. Sounds like you had a fun weekend.
AdventureJess says
July 10, 2011 at 8:42 PMHa, ha. Never thought of that. Gretel pulls with the gusto of a raging bull. That has to count for something 🙂
bonchi07 says
July 11, 2011 at 6:34 AMThanks for sharing this great tool. I walk my dogs twice a day and at times I combine with small running intervals. I live in Florida so right now, in the middle of summer it has been a little challenging to run them since it is so hot at times. On the weekends I try to make them swim also. They dont like the water too much but I figure little by little they might also learn to like it. Thanks for sharing how important it is to exercise with your dog.
AdventureJess says
July 11, 2011 at 6:52 AMThat’s the plan we are on to….walking and running 🙂
Loy Cerf says
December 23, 2012 at 7:17 AMNo wonder this was such a popular post–can’t wait to check out the dog walking calculator! Happy Sunday!
The Pink Cucumber says
January 22, 2014 at 12:21 AMI usually take my border collie and bullterrier for a one hour long walk every day if possible and trust me, the bullie pulls like a little demon – it’s a nice exercise for your arms!
Jessica Rhae says
January 22, 2014 at 10:17 AMI know what you mean. You would be shocked at how hard a 10 lb Dachshund can pull. Just remember to switch arms now and then to balance things out 🙂