Working out doesn’t have to be a drag! Now that spring has sprung, it’s time to get out and explore the great outdoors while finding fun ways to exercise. And what could be more fun than exercising with your BFF? Of course, dog walking is one way to enjoy sunshine and longer days together, but there are a number of other beneficial and fun ways to exercise with your pet, too.
Let’s explore a few quality options right now, such as:
Jogging
If your dog has a lot of energy and loves action, introduce him to the joys of jogging. For dogs who’ve never done so before, it may take a little getting used to. But if you start slowly and jog at the same time each day, your bestie will eventually get the hang of things and you two can enjoy a great heart healthy daily workout together. For this exercise you may want to try a leash that fastens to your waist, but ONLY do so if your dog listens well enough to your commands and is not apt to cause harm or injury by pulling you too hard or too fast!
Swimming
Breeds like the Irish Setter, the Golden Retriever and the American Water Spaniel love being in water. If your dog enjoys the wetter side of life, then he’ll probably agree that this is one of the most fun ways to exercise with you and he’ll want to do it as often as possible!
Bike Riding
Dogs who are fit enough to endure a few miles of running will probably love bike riding alongside you this spring and summer. Like jogging, you may want to try a leash that fastens around your waist and that leaves your hands free to maneuver your bicycle, but only if your dog isn’t prone to pulling and obeys your commands pretty well. We also strongly advise that you only engage in this form of exercise with your pet on a designated bike path or on a terrain where you’re unlikely to encounter traffic from other vehicles.
Fetch!
Grab a tennis ball, a frisbee or your dog’s favorite chew toy and head on out for one of the most fun ways to exercise with your pet. Dogs that like to retrieve items will absolutely love this workout! For optimal results, make your fetch game challenging and rigorous. Also be sure to engage in this activity for a predetermined length of time and try to do it at about the same time each day so that your dog comes to expect it and you both develop a workout routine that sticks!
Walking
Of course, dog walking is always a great and fun way to exercise with your dog. Regardless of breed or age, all dogs enjoy at least two good walks daily! You may walk briskly or at a slower pace, but do walk your dog regularly to help him burn calories and excess energy (which can often result in undesirable behavior).
Before Exploring Fun Ways to Exercise With Your Dog…
Depending on your dog’s breed, he may respond to some exercises better than others. We highly recommend a vet visit before starting a workout routine just to make sure that your little fur buddy is ready to increase his daily activity. This is especially important for older dogs or those suffering from arthritis and also for dogs who’ve ever had a broken limb or have even suffered a recent illness.
Any activity with you is going to be a good time for your pooch, but we do want to advise you to take it slow at first. If your dog isn’t used to a lot of physical activity, be patient with him while he adjusts to your new workout regimen. Gradually introduce new exercises to your pet and give him (and yourself!) time to work up to your optimal workout levels.
Your Ideas
Do you know of other fun ways to exercise with your dog? Be sure to share your ideas in the comment well below!
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