Suzzie and I do an early morning walk. Well, early for me. We head out at around 7:30 and get back around 8:30 or 9. Before we go I have a protein shake and some oatmeal. I've been told that I should be getting a meal in before the exercise, that it will help give me energy. I'm not really pushing myself and not really pushing Suzzie; but I figure it's still a good idea for me to eat before we leave.
However, I've read somewhere on these forums not to feed the dog immediately before or after exercise. I was hoping someone smart could comment on that and help me with my morning routine. Should I feed Suzzie before we leave? Should I feed her when I get home or maybe wait a while after we get home to feed her. What's the recommendations?
Kristel Smart Webboard User Reg: 10-03-2006
Posts: 1548
Loc: Vermont
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I walk my dog every morning without fail too, for about an hour or so. I don't feed either of us before we leave the house. For me, I'm just not hungry until I've moved around a little. For the dog, I never know what's going to happen on our walk.
I start out having a brisk walk, but may end up running into friends and heading to the "off-leash" zone where there are squirrels aplenty. I almost always end up doing some training while I'm out (fus! Look! touch!, etc.) so my dog gets a little bit in the way of treats; how many depends on what we do. I prefer he not have a full stomach just in case(but I make sure he has ample opportunity to earn treats because he doesn't do well on an empty stomach either).
I always make sure the last part of the walk is mellow so he has time to settle down before we get home, then he gets brushed, THEN he gets breakfast.
There's something primally satisfying about "working for food" (a la Cesar Milan) too; working before eating and building an appetite.
Natalya Zahn Webboard User Reg: 12-22-2006
Posts: 1824
Loc: Cambridge, MA
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I do pretty much the same as Krisel - no breakfast for anyone before the walk, and while I eat pretty much right after we return, Oscar has to wait at least 15, but usually more like 30 minutes before he gets his breakfast (waits longer on days that he tires himself out, less on quiet/slow days). Since the walk is about an hour, and could require any level of exertion, I don't like the idea of feeding beforehand.
And I guess I'm lucky, I don't have a dog that has ever had a sensitive stomach, so trotting around on empty has never bothered Oscar.
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breakfast and morning walks
#245549 - 07/06/2009 08:20 AM 
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Suzzie, the Australian Shepherd
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