Is it okay to exercise my dog more to speed up weight loss?

Generally yes, and it's good for them well beyond the waistline, but build it up gently rather than going from nothing to a 10km hike on Saturday. An overweight dog is carrying extra load on joints that are already under pressure, so sudden big efforts can do damage. Start with a few more short walks, add a bit of distance each week, and let their fitness catch up.

One thing worth knowing: diet does most of the heavy lifting with weight loss, not exercise. A dog would have to run a serious amount to burn off an over-full bowl, so exercise works best as the partner to sensible portions, not a way to earn back extra food. Think of the walks as building muscle, keeping them happy and helping the weight stay off, rather than the main event.

Match the activity to the dog in front of you. Swimming and sniffy walks are brilliant low-impact options for older or heavier dogs, while a young fit dog can handle plenty more. Keep an eye out for heavy panting, lagging behind or soreness the next day, and ease off if you see it. If your dog's very overweight or has any heart or joint niggles, have a quick chat with your vet about what's safe before you ramp things up. Consistency most days beats the occasional big blowout.