For all you hand-walkers out there.....

my kind of thread here. handwalking is something great, but tiring for sure. for the first show i went to i was going up to 6-9 miles daily for a couple weeks b4hand. i was using a pair of nike basketball shoes. i went through a pair of these after the 6th week. the leather ripped, the sole was erased no traction, the front had a hole in it and the bubble popped on the last day of use. they started to smell like a mop too lol:

http://www.pickyourshoes.com/collectible/nike_air_cb_max2_94_blue_blk.htm

after those died i stated to use a pair of these for the next couple of weeks. lasted a lil better, not as comfy as i destroyed the cushion but overall sucked too for the miles.

http://www.pickyourshoes.com/new3/new_balance_m574lwk.htm

'll admit that i didnt use walking shoes amde for this type of workout but these shoes shouldve lasted longer despite the walking. for the last show i went to i was hgoing up to 10 miles on certain days for weeks. the best shoe overall i found for this type of walking are these:

http://www.uncrate.com/men/style/shoes/nike-air-goadome-boots/

these have been the best shos i evere bought overall. they look bulky but are light for the looks. comfy as heck and waterproof for when you get caught in the rain. the sole is thick rubber so it lasted longer. i had one pair still in use from 8-10 weeks of walking with high milage up to the day of the show. still using them, feel good as new to me. these shoes are expensive but worth it IMO for how long they last and the comfort level. best bang for buck right there.

 

Hey, Jay whats good? Good to see you on here. How much did those boots run you? Those look pretty nice. Man, you sure you can not make the VA show. We probably going to get a campground site. The game-dog crew. Going to be a heck of a lot cheaper this way. If not, we will most def. see you at Nationals.

 

whats good Joe? yea i have to get back on my posting lol too much lurking. i be here though lol i found them here in the city for 90. had to haggle a bit but since they popular here they will up the price. yeA wish i could og man. i'll prolly catch up at the nationals with you guys and CH Liberty:cool:

 

are you looking for how long there gonna last or how comfortable

 

They now have these http://www.shoebuy.com/merrell-chameleon-evo-gtx-xcr/231922/497042 which are a bit more pricey than my original chameleons from over 2 years ago which were $100 but they are made very well and are as comfortable on trails as they are on pavement. I have a wide foot and Nike's tend to run narrow from my experience so Nike's are a no go for me. These are my daily walkers http://www.shoebuy.com/reebok-walkway-dmx-foam/187082/418110 for everything except hiking and they are the most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever owned.

I prefer a harness rather than a collar and I use a 3/4in 12ft rope lead which is the ideal length for me. Anything longer and you are going to be carrying loops in your other hand, 20ft is more than I need. Also, someone mentioned wearing sandals? That sounds ok for a walk around the block but I couldn't wear sandals where I go and walk 8 or 9 miles on pavement or on any trails.

 

Pair of New Balances, last me forever. When they finally go I cut the laces and tongue out, and they are my yard "slippers" :p

Pair of green "Superfeet" orthopedic supports, and you're good to go for a long time. Broke all the bones in the arch of one of my feet years back, and the miles required can really put the pain into my foot, up into my legs and back. Superfeet cure this. Used them during sports before I mangled the foot up, and they are as good with "regular" feet.

 

got a link on those superfeets?

 

New Balances or Rockports. Anybody in the medical field will tell you this. Next time youre at the doctors, Look at everyones feet. The rockports are more comferatable, but are not as durrable as the New Balances. Rockports are also expensive$$. Overall You cant beat a good ol pair of N.B. I just got back from a 2hr walk and my dogs feel great . All 3 of them Lol.

 

Just bought a pair three weeks ago and I tell you they are comfortable. King and I walk run and jog but I cant keep up with him Im out of shape. The price is really not that high you can find em around 59.99-89.99.
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p...ePrice-DSP&parentPage=family&searchId=1333120
Drew

 

What does walking do that jogging or running cant?? I have always been taught that walking a fit dog isnt really much of a physical exercise for the dog, more mental.

 

I'm sure it's different from dog to dog, as far as what exercise regiment works best. I thought the same thing for a while, but I think it's more of a steady, endurance thing. You may be different, but I can walk a lot farther than I can run, and I can definitely get why putting in those extra miles can be beneficial.

I don't know, this is a good topic, though.

Man, Jeeperino, I think you're just lucky, being a human treadmill and all . It's genetics, yours are just better for conditioning a dog than mine.

 

If you've got an extra 130 bux laying around, I'd recomend Nike Shocks. Thats all I wear. I run 3 miles a day on the mill at the gym plus everyday use and they're perfect.

 

i've been told that also.

me, i need to walk the dog to get her in shape, as well as me. maybe running will be an option, once i build my endurance up....i'm only 6 ft 2 in 155 lbs, i'm already in decent shape, just need to learn how to breathe and pace myself to run properly.

but i've been told long steady walks, combined with other conditioning tools are what helps put the dog in it's best shape - flirtpole, slat mills, a jenny, swimming, etc.

like someone else already posted, to really push the dog to the limit and help them learn how to cool down while on their feet/staying active, you should incorporate a mill or similar device to bring them past the point of exhaustion.

btw, i just got a pair of the shoes i posted at the beginning of this thread -

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/shoes/brands/newbalance/PRD~c10894/new+balance+644+Walking+Shoes.jsp

just wearing them home and around the house so far, i can't wait to go walk a couple miles. being it's my day off work and the perfect ohio spring day (read - 70 slight breeze, mild cloud cover) i'm gonna go get the mutt out.

i'll let ya'll know what i think about the shoes when i get back.

jay - they had the boots you posted at finish line at the mall, but they were a bit out of my price range. the guy said next week they get some of the same ones in but made out of gor-tex, and there's a 50% off sale next week, so i might go snag a pair of those as well. they were comfy as hell, the ones i tried on. but they were a low-cut version, not above the ankle.

 

sorry for the double post.

but 3 miles later, iono about the dog, but my feet and lower legs feel great!

wish i'd have contemplated getting athletic shoes a year ago instead of going out on flat soled shoes every day....

anywho.

took her out for a 2 mile walk, came home, hit the flirtpole for 5 minutes (which really drained her since it's the warmest it's been since last summer) then went for a 1 mile cool-down walk. if it wasn't for the flirtpole, she wouldn't cool down nearly as fast as she can now; and she figured out on her own not to drink water for 15-20 minutes after she gets a workout unless she wants to puke it back up :rolleyes:

now, am i looking at this the wrong way? - should i be more focused on distance traveled over however many days/weeks, or time spent walking? i figure if i walk two miles, and she's all over the place on her 15 ft lead, she's walking a lot farther than i am.

any thoughts?

 

Well, this thread keeps on getter better and better. I guess its a matter of personal preference. However, i will give you my spin on things.

Walking allows an individual to condition their dog for a longer period of time. Its far less stressful on the joints & muscles. IMO its the best form of free conditioning. On a free turning mill or running for that matter...you have to keep a really close eye on the dog. Looking for the dog to break stride, and knowing when he breaks down into recovery mode. Now, when most people set out to jog or run with their dog. They set their own time, say for example 30mins. This is when people hurt and overwork their dogs, because the focus should be on the dog breaking stride..and allowing proper recovery...not on a pre specified time. Checking recovery times and heart rate are a must when trying to calculate when to add time to workout. Very few people can do this properly. Brisk walking eliminates all the guess work.

Over the course a long walk you will cover many different terrains. Roads with a nice incline or decline provide the dog with some extra resistance. The tension on the lead will never be the same on a long walk...as opposed to running or jogging. Your dog will see other dogs, animals, and objects that make your dog pull...giving a dog the ability to build endurance and strength at the same time.

When the dogs runs a few miles the dogs burn up carbs, which allow the quick bursts of energy. However, when your hand walking, it allows the dogs metabolism to switch from burning carbs to burning fat. This is also another difference between the two.

I myself use a combination of both. Again, these are just my personal opinions. It really boils down to ones own goals with the conditioning program.

 

http://www.newbalance.com/products/MR8508/

well these are the kicks i got last night and let me just say they are amazing. I laced em up and headed out last night and before i knew it i had done 8 miles without a single pain in my feet. They're really nice because they are breathable mesh material so ur feet stay cool and dry and the sole is wonderful because it absorbs everything any terrain has to offer, i highly recommend these sneaks, for 40 bucks at marshalls how can u beat it

 

I always use good, cheap as I can find cross-trainers. I think cross-trainers hold up better than pure running shoes which are made real light. I like to have a pair of hiking shoes/boots as well for trails during bad conditions.


And yes, you will go through shoes fast doing this. Thats why I look for good deals. Real expensive shoes can add up fast if you are going through them every 4-6 months.


I've discovered that different brands of shoes fit different feet better or worse. I've never had good luck with new balance for example but the $40 for a good pair sounds sweet. I wear Nike's, and off brand callled Aviva(or something like that) and Merrel hikers.