Pet-Friendly Workouts: Exercising with Your Dog for Mutual Benefits
With everything going on in this world it is hard to find time to work out. What if your workout buddy was your best friend in the world, your dog? Not only is it great exercise for you and your dog, but it is a great way to bond with your dog. Whether its morning runs or fun agility workouts, there are just so many advantages to including your dog in your own exercise program. Here’s how you can create a pet-friendly workout that benefits both you and your dog.
- Start with a Morning Walk
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to exercise with your dog is by starting the day with a brisk walk. Morning walks are good exercise (cardiovascular wise) and it keeps your dog mentally stimulated as well as exercised.
Why It Matters: Continued exercise like walks will keep your dog at a healthy weight, not anxious and much better behaved. It is a great way to wake up in the morning with some fresh air and a clear head for you. Even better than that, you get to explore new paths each time you go out so that every walk is an adventure for you and your dog.
- Try Running or Jogging
Running or jogging is a great form of exercise if you have a very energetic dog, it can be a great workout for you and it really wears the dog out. Begin at a leisurely pace and work your way up to a faster pace and longer distance according to your dog's level of physical fitness.
Why It Matters: Running or even jogging with your dog is good cardio, it builds muscles and stamina for the both of you. It's also a great way to bond, as you’ll be moving in sync and sharing the experience. Plus, a tired dog is a happy dog, often leading to better behavior at home.
- Engage in Agility Training
It’s a good work out its lots of fun and believe it or not it’s a fairly good challenge at least with my dog. Set up a course in your backyard or at a local park with obstacles like tunnels, jumps, and weave poles. You can either lead your dog around the course or actually be a part of the course and run alongside your dog.
Why It Matters: Agility training is a good thing for your dog it keeps them in shape its good exercise and it makes them think and be flexible. For you, it’s a great way to improve your agility and balance. It takes a lot of work, but you and your dog experience it together and therefore a bond of trust and communication is established between the two of you and it is very rewarding for the both of you.
- Play Fetch with a Twist
FETCH, there is a good old game and with the right dog, you and the dog get an entire body workout. Instead of just standing there and letting your dog fetch the ball do some squats, lunges, or even sprints. For example, throw the ball, do ten squats, and then run to meet your dog as they bring the ball back.
Why It Matters: But when u combine fetch with your own exercises, fetch is no longer a game, it's a work out. Your dog gets to chase, and you get a good workout with variety, working different muscles. That's really good though, because it is a win-win situation and it makes working out a little more fun and exciting for the two of you.
- Try Canine-Friendly Yoga (Doga)
YOga is definitely something that has some really relaxing and healthy aspects to it, and now they even have DOga (YOga with your dog) you know you do the poses and stretches that you and your dog can do together. You can even stretch your dog's legs and back as you do your poses.
Why It Matters: It is great for flexibility, it is relaxing, and it is a good stress reliever for you and for your dog. The close physical contact helps strengthen your bond, while the calming atmosphere can help reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being. It's a very relaxing way to waste time with your dog, but it is also very productive.
- Go Hiking Together
Hiking is great workout but with nature. Choose a hiking trail that allows dogs and go hiking with her. It's so hilly and the terrain is so good that you and your dog get a really good work out.
Why It Matters: Hiking is very good exercise for you and your dog, its all great endurance work, builds muscle, and it is all balancing. It is not only physically healthy but also nature is a release from all of that stress and a better mood. Hiking is a good way to see new places and it is good exercise as well as good for the mind.
- Incorporate Strength Training
There is no excuse not to lift weights when you own a dog, because you have a heavy weight at the end of your leash at all times. For example, use your dog’s weight for resistance during squats or lunges, or engage in tug-of-war to work on your upper body strength.
Why It Matters: Weights are for getting muscular but they are for endurance, and physical fitness. Your dog gets to play and you get a better work out. It is an entertaining and artistic approach to strength training.
A Healthy Bond
It's not just the physical workout that is so good about working out with your dog. It makes the relationship between you and your pet stronger, it gives your pet (and you) a little mental exercise, and it establishes a routine that you and your pet can anticipate. Whether it be an easy walk or a serious agility class, there are numerous types of activities to do with your dog so that you and your dog are content, fit, and close. So get that leash, tie up those tennis shoes, and get that aerobic exercise with your pet(s).
