Vigorous Dog walking?

Hi, this is my first post here in the forums so I'll start off by saying hey, whats up? I'm just getting started on analyzing my own nutrition and exercise in order to see where my faults are in dieting and exercise so that I can better myself physically. Buuuuut thats not what this topic is really about.

I have a dog, a black lab/golden retriever named Smokey. He's fairly large, weighing in at around 64 pounds and about 3 feet tall, maybe 4 and a half feet long head to rump. Now, walking a dog, in terms of calories burnt on the site is listed at around 370 calories per hour, but I think walking my Smokey is probably considerably more. He's quite the puller, and I can tell you after my close to half hour walk with him that I got a lot more of a work out than if I had been walking three and a half odd MPH for the same amount of time.

So my question is, how should I log this? Should I go take a walk around the same path at a higher rate of speed than just comfortably walking and just judge by how worked out I feel and compare it to walking him, or is there some kind of rule of thumb for figuring it out? Thanks!

Um...

I suggest training that dog of yours. This isn't considered a good thing because Smokey walks you. ( Yay, more calories burnt. How do I log them? ) You shouldn't log or consider this normal. Or something that is going to proceed. You need to invest some time into teaching lovable Smokey how to walk. The amount of calories burnt by his misbehavior should be the least of your concern. Train Smokey.

It's very simple. There are all sorts of books and sites online that will give you tips. The reason he pulls and tugs and walks you is due to the lack of being trained properly. That lack of control isn't good for others or you. It makes your dog a hindrance. His breeding isn't to blame for it. My Princess was full Labrador and walked like royalty. My husband took the time to train her to do so. It wasn't something she just naturally did. Also, our Diamond which is pitt bull/golden retriever mix. It took more time to teach Diamond, but she learnt because of my husbands dedication/patience. There is no excuse in your dog being untrained. That's your job. ( I don't know how you think of your pets. Some consider themselves their pets friend. Others consider themselves their pets master. ) I consider myself our pets mommy. 

It's time for you to pick a role but understand that role is also there to teach/love.

Also, Princess pauses to say hello to everyone. Begging for them to please pet her. Then passes along. But, she always stops for her share of attention. It's pretty adorable. She enjoys her walks and those around always comment on her. She loves people. She's so affectionate. She tries to make friends on her walks.

Whereas, Diamond couldn't care less if you pet her. She'd rather continue on perhaps sniff something unusual. She won't have any part in their ' petting ' her. She's far more select in who she allows to admire her.

I don't even consider walking pets exercise, but yeah.

asnszero117  enchantingimage is right.  I have an 125lb rottweiler that walks beside me calmly on walks.  I took her to obedience training, but I have always made her walk nice and not pull.  You need to make sure you are Smokeys leader not his follower.  Please for his sake take him to obedience or read some books on training.  Maybe even read Cesar Millans book (the Dog Whisperer).  He is a wonderful trainer.

I had a nice little dog encounter recently.  You can read about it here:
http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/5425 0.html

I'm not saying your dog would ever bite someone, but keeping them under control when out in public is important. 

As far as your calorie burning question, here's my 2 cents:
Get a heart rate monitor.  I got one last year and it's the best investment I've made in a long time.  I have a Polar F11 and I love it.  I got it at a sporting goods store, but you can find deals online. 

I have the same routine every morning, but I don't always burn the same number of calories even though I'm always jogging the same distance and the time it takes me is roughly the same every morning.  Different factors influence my heart rate.  The longer it's in the higher range, the more calories I burn. 

The same will be the case for you when you walk Smokey.  With him dictating your pace, your calories burned will likely fluctuate from day to day.  This site may say 370 calories per hour dog walking, but it's just an estimate.  I'm guessing they don't have a list of dog breads or trained dog vs untrained dog so 370 is probably some kind of average I'm guessing. 

BUT if you had a heart rate monitor - you'd know exactly how many calories you've burned walking Smokey as opposed to some generic dog. 

@Enchantingimage

Maybe you misunderstood, I wasn't implying my dogs behaivor habits as good or bad, I'm simply trying to keep an accurate log of calories burnt so I can figure out what I need to do better in order to get into shape. For the record, when around people my dog is one of the most affectionate dogs thats ever existed... he's just hyper. I'm working with him as best I can with my limited literature (as in, nothing but stuff I've seen on TV really) and budget for actually training a dog, but for every attempt I make at training him, two steps go backwards due to way the other people I live with interact with him (trying to teach him not to beg, then having everyone not eat their seconds of speghetti and giving him half a plate of the food despite my protests, things like that). However, thats not the point of this topic though I do appreciate the concern. :)
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@Nivy
Ceaser Millans 'The Dog Whisperer' eh? I'll look into it. Thanks. ^_^
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@Pixyz
You and me could swap stories on crazy dogs not on leashes, not fenced in, etc. I've seen some fairly crazy ones in my old neighborhood, but thats a story for another time.

Heart monitor? Why didn't I think of that?! Thats a great idea! Thanks a ton, Pixyz, I'm going to see if I can't find one of those the next time I'm out and about.

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Anyway, thank you very much for the input, especially on the monitor idea. I think that'll be a big help as I progress through figuring out a good solid activity plan as I push myself out of a sedentary lifestyle and back into an active one. Much ablidged.

Perhaps, you misunderstood my comment. There is no excuse for your dog's behavior. Smokey is walking you. Period. I never said your dog was 'good ' or 'bad ' with other people. However, my Labrador is the most hyper dog. Even at two years old she's still very much a puppy. She's also very lovable. But, her puppy like hyper ways aren't used as an excuse. 

( Size/breed doesn't matter. There is no excuse for it whatsoever at all. ) All it takes is dedicated time and patience.  Not excess funds. All the tips ect needed can be googled online.

You seem to care more about your calorie log than training your dog. It's not only a hindrance to you to have your dog pulling/tugging you around. But, also to others. Pets don't ask for owners. Just like babies don't ask to be born. Devote some attention to your dog, as Smokey deserves.

First you should worry about training your dog, then this calorie concern shouldn't come up.

if you have a point of reference like a treadmill to see what 3.5 and 4.0 mph feels like maybe you can judge by feel at how fast you are with your dog and then just log it as "walking 4.0" or whatever

one thing ive been doing to get my dogs to slow down a bit is a go out for a 5 min warm up on my own, then i go back to the house and get my dog, she always wants to run at first, so we run together for like 5min or so then as she starts to tire out i keep pulling her back to be directly next to me at a quick walk. by the time were back at the house shes totally listening to commands and staying next to me. i was told a lot of it has to do with your dog getting enough exercise, when they dont get enough daily exercise they tend to run wild on a leash. (sometimes i'll even play ball in the backyard with her until she is tired from that and then take her for the walk so thats she'll listen better and not pull)

The heart rate monitor sounds like the best advice so far.  Because "walking a dog" is a very general terminalogy....are you walking on a sidewalk, in a park, uphill? There are all kinds of factors.  Buy a heart rate monitor and do the math yourself.  Good Luck! ;p

And...try to ignore people that make judgemental statements....  They've never met you and are just trying to cause trouble.

I agree with the heart rate monitor idea or just trying to guess how fast you are walking.  Any of these estimates for activities are just that "estimates."  Typically based on an average of specific samples. 

 I'd say don't be afraid to claim you do more work than the average here.

Give the person a break--she was probably amused at the idea that their dog was HELPING in the exercise area--whether or not the dog is properly trained has no bearing in the case!!! Dogs do not have to be "properly trained" to be kind and wonderful dogs.(Don't get me started on dogs--I am a dog lover to the max!!!)

My dog pulls like crazy--also a golden lab/retriever mix--the the hrm does help---its actually fun to walk him--or have him walk me, with the stroller!!! (really a treat when I have both, and Louie sees a squirrel or rabbit!!)

Not all dogs are made to act like royalty--how about just a faithful friend--who helps us be better people??  But then again not all dog owners are better people when they diss other dog owners! (diss me--I feed my dog 2 x a day, what I make for meals, with a little dog food only--otherwise he eats steak, meatloaf, pork chops, whatever--and he is healthy and happy!!)

Have fun with your Smokey--whether he pulls or not--you sound like a great dog owner--giving your dog exercise while you benefit too!  Try the hrm---and ignore the negative comments by certain people!!!

I agree with the other posters above who have told you to use a heart rate monitor to help you gauge your caloric expenditure more accurately.  You certainly should not solely depend on the averages that cc.com uses in its exercise listings if you feel as though they are inapplicable to your particular situation.  Good for you for getting a vigorous walk with your dog!  It's good for you and for your pet to get fresh air and exercise.

Please ignore negative people who do not even focus their answers to the question asked.  Unsolicited advice on a topic like dog training is both annoying and inapplicable to the basic themes of health/exercise/diet that cc.com encompasses. 

Best wishes for your continued success on your path to a healthier you!  :)

 To each their own. Some consider it important to have well behavior for their benefit and the benefit of others. Anyone can go buy a pet. Or adopt one they've found somewhere. 

Just like anyone can father or mother a child. ( Perhaps, not adopt a child so easily. )

That by no means makes them a good parent. The fact that they bared a child or have one in their home doesn't make them a ' good parent.'  It's the job that you accept to attend to their mental development and physical growth. Just as a baby has a growth chart. They have list of things they should be able to do within a certain length of time. Months 1-3 Months 3-5 Months 5-7 ect ect.   ( So do dogs. )


The question in itself  showed a lack of regard. Instead of ignoring an issue, or batting it off finding a new way to log calories burnt. Do something about it. Obviously time need to be set aside for the purpose of Smokey's developement. It would burn extra calories as well.

If they can't accept the responsibility and be accountable for the lack of work invested in their dog, I feel sorry for Smokey.

Also, anyone that doesn't see this as constructive advice isn't a good parent to their dogs. /owner There is nothing negative about telling someone they need time invested in their pet. It's honesty. It's not troublesome to be direct. 

Negative would be " There is nothing you can do. LOL Run real fast. Do some weight training so you can pull against him better. Lol LOL lol. Yeah, GOOD luck! "

"bty, heart monitiors work great. "

" Omg, take him on more walks... perhaps on the second one you'll accidently lose the leash and he can run free.. that would burn some extra calories if you had to chase HIM "

The advice I bestowed is to help them and their dog in the longrun. Rather than to dismiss the reality of the situation.

Calorie log< Smokey

If you don't see that equation as correct. Once again I say " Poor Smokey. "

I by no means meant my post as negative.  I was concerned for Smokey.  I had a dog a long time ago that pulled like that .  He broke his larynx and injured the back of his neck.  This is why I posted about him not pulling.

It's all right, Nivy. Anything said can be taken as positively or negatively as someone's mind allows it.Some people look for the negative in anything. Rather than the helpful heartfelt advice from other dog lovers. I realize that you weren't being negative. Neither was I. Some people just have stronger concerns for dogs/animals than others.

Jumping in where angels fear to tread, the heart rate monitor is probably a good idea but I doubt that the calories will be much higher than what you get from the Activity data base.  A 30 minute walk will give you about 1.5 to 2 miles, which should come out to about 200 to 300 calories.  But it could be less.

I like to run part of the way with my dog.  That seems to be better although I have never checked the calories burned.

As to the neck issues, I switched from a choke coller to a harness because of concerns about injuring my dog's neck.  Also, I have used the Gentle Leader to calm my dog down a little.  But he really gets excited about running so he goes pretty hard.  We both enjoy that.