Hi Jo,
You don’t say which joints are affected, and this has a bearing on exercise advice. As Kathryn says, the key is consistency, and little and often is usually better than long stints. As arthritis can be variable day to day it is good to get used to his cues that tell you he has had enough. These may include slowing down (tiring), sitting or laying down, dropping his tail, stiffening his gait or limping. If he is stiffer than usual after a period of rest then this can also be a sign he has done too much and needs to do less the following day. Ideally, through observation, you will get to know his cues and cut walks short as needed. You can also extend them cautiously if he seems to be doing ok. 2-3x 10-15 minute walks daily is often a good place to start if not excessively sore or injured. On lead initially is a good idea, and some off lead time can be introduced if they are coping well. It’s important to know your dog and not let him off lead in a situation where you know he may get a bit excitable and dash about, as this may lead to an injury and put you back to square one. Beaches can be great for mental stimulation and there is usually a lot going on, and being on a beach can make us all feel better Soft sand can be hard going for dogs with back pain and cause a flare. Sticking to firmer sand near the water’s edge is usually advisable. Another thing with the beach is to be aware that if he has arthritis affecting his forelimbs then any digging is likely to exacerbate things.
It’s important to balance all aspects of his management and good pain relief can help him to be more active…and we don’t want him being so active, or doing high intensity activities, that he may flare. Scent work can help on walks, and playing games such as hide and seek… all low intensity activities that provide some mental stimulation as well.
Warm wishes,
Shona
