Dog Health: 7 Ways for Your Dog to Get Fit & Have Fun Doing It

Canine Exercise For Dog Health Doesn’t Have To Be A Chore

This year is the year of the fitness renaissance, with everybody attempting workouts to shed the holiday pounds and recondition their cardiovascular health. More remarkable is that the fitness of our four-legged furry friends has not been overlooked either. As a current or prospective dog owner, you know all too well that dogs need sufficient exercise – not only for their physical health, but for their emotional health too.

But with our busy modern lives, it can be quite the challenge to take out the necessary time for fitness, either for yourself or for your canine companion. Fortunately, we’re on a mission to get dog owners passionate about fitness with their beloved pups again. It could be that your dog has gained a few unnecessary pounds, which can put stress on their joints, or it could just be that your dog seems to laze around too often. Whatever the reason, by the end of this article, you’ll feel inspired to take back control of both your dog’s fitness and your own.

Gone are the days of just letting your dog run around the yard while you continue working or doing your daily chores – it’s predictable, boring and ultimately no fun for them. Instead, why not incorporate some high-intensity doggie fitness activity into your daily routine? We’ve rounded up a fantastic fitness list:

1. Reimagine Fetch:

It’s like the classic game of fetch, only different. You can incorporate new rules and tricks like running away from your dog and having them chase you, or even getting a whole new toy to play fetch with. The only limit is your imagination.

2. Produce a Plan:

Get your creative juices flowing by drawing up a fitness plan for yourself. This doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming – even a 15-minute plan is a great place to start. All you have to do is carve out a small window of time in which you and your dog are both awake and alert. You could add jumping jacks, lunges, or any other activity you can think of. The trick here is to teach your pup to move with you! For example, when you do lunges, have them do laps. Or when you do jumping-jacks, train them to jump with you.

Not only is this super accessible, it’s also the easiest and most convenient way to incorporate a simple workout regimen into your daily routine. Tip: You should use positive reinforcement wherever you can, to keep your doggy incentivized and motivated to keep going. These can include low-calorie treats if you’re particularly health-conscious.

3. Doggie Exercise Class:

Sure, you’ve heard of spin class or Zumba, but have you heard of fitness classes with dogs? K9 Fit Clubs offer special classes around the country for both pets and their people. A simple google will show you all the local doggie exercise classes you can frequent with your pup! Not only will it improve your dog’s fitness, but it will certainly improve your own too. And at the end, you’ll both be naturally rewarded with feel-good hormones released from getting your muscles moving.

4. Workout in the park:

Instead of your usual trip to the dog park, next time you go, you can take some exercise equipment for you and your dog. With such a vast space to run around in, you certainly won’t run out of fitness games to play! Tip: You should probably keep the training sessions short, otherwise you’ll risk burnout for the both of you.

5. Hiking:

If you live in an area with lots of trails, hiking could be your new fitness friend. Not only does it involve great exercise for your heart and other muscles, but it also provides you a serene space in which to clear your mind. If you have days free on the weekends, for example, you could invite your fellow dog-owning friends with you and make a real day of it. Plus, you could end the hike with a scenic picnic, and bring your dog’s favorite treats along too.

6. Interval Training:

Interval training is simple. You add intensity to regular training, in intervals. This intensity does not necessarily have to last long either – just long enough to get your heart and your dog’s heart pumping! For example, you could map out certain stop-zones and run towards them at full speed, then take a 30-second break and run to the next stop-zone. And what’s more? You could do all this instead of just a regular daily walk. It will make things fun, fresh, and most importantly get you fit! Tip: Remember to adequately stretch before exercise, especially if it’s been a long time since either of you properly ran.

7. Water sports:

Do you know what’s a lot of fun and burns a lot of calories? Rowing a boat. Do you know who would enjoy the view from a boat even more than you? Your beloved pup. This activity is more likely to test your own bodily fitness, but it doubles as a way to keep your dog stimulated and excited. Tip: Remember your life vests!

So, there you have it, 7 sure-fire ways to improve your fitness and your dog’s fitness, all while having fun and keeping things fresh. Fitness can be the best way to bond with your beloved pup.

Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore, and with all the totally free tutorials out there on platforms like YouTube – there’s no reason why you can’t switch things up a little.