5 Fun Ways to Exercise Your Dog

Getting exercise is always a must for humans and dogs. If you’ve been working out alone despite having an animal companion, you might be doing it the wrong way. In case you don’t know, dogs make good exercise buddies and fitness tools for good reasons. They are naturally cheerful, keep a positive attitude, and help you have a good time. Above all, you and your dog can benefit from what exercise offers.

So if you’re looking for better ways to have a good time and get active with your pet dog, we’ve prepared a short list of people and dog-friendly exercises you can start doing today.

Exercises You Can Do With Your Pet

Just as exercise is a basic human need, the same applies to our pets. There are activities you can do with your dog while also exercising at the same time. While some of these activities may provide more exercise for your pet and vice versa, it is still a fun way to bond with them.

Below are five simple and fun activities to burn calories with your furry buddy.

1. Hiking

Canines love outdoor and nature views as much as you do. So the next time you plan your hiking adventure, remember to take your pet dog with you. You might also explore new trails and parks to entertain your pet with new environments and surroundings. If you feel your puppy is not ready for a hike, take them to the vet for a checkup to evaluate their condition. The veterinarian can provide tailored advice and suggestions to qualify your pet for the activity.

You may browse the web for more information on how vet checkups can help your pet maintain long-term health.

2. Running

Although jogging and running can keep the heart healthy, not all canines are built for it. For example, Greyhounds are good at short-distance sprintings but can easily get tired in long-distance runs. So if running and jogging are in your routine, choose dog breeds appropriate for distance running, such as Belgian Malinois, Labrador Retrievers, or Dalmatians.

When your pet is fully grown, start doing 10-minute runs daily and slowly increase the time until they can fully handle 30 minutes. Avoid the hot times of the day when choosing a time to run with your pet to avoid heatstroke. If you see them lagging behind you, take five minutes of cooldown and call it a day.

When you observe soreness or fractures after the exercise, consider taking them to animal centers that offer cold laser for dogs. They’ll benefit from the relaxing effects of pet laser treatment along with speedy recovery.

3. Swimming

Many dogs love water, and swimming can benefit pets with joint problems or in their senior years. The water’s buoyancy and resistance are an excellent environment for pets recovering from joint pains and injuries, making swimming a low-impact exercise. Providing a life jacket to your dog can help them stay longer in the water, which also promotes heart health.

4. Going to Dog Parks

Dogs love socializing with their fellows, which is an excellent reason to walk them to parks. Canines love social interactions and know how to play with their fellows. A dog park is a great environment to polish your pet’s social interaction skills and discover new games with other dogs.

However, there are crucial considerations to make before socializing your pet. Only take your canine to parks after finishing their core vaccines and have at least one booster shot. This secures your pet from lethal viral diseases like parvo, distemper, and canine influenza. If your dog still lacks preventive treatments, getting pet wellness plans that contain bundles of the mentioned vet subscriptions is a great idea.

You can also get discount rates on vet visits, another good reason to consider pet wellness plans in facilities like Stoney Creek Veterinary Hospital.

5. Walking

Walking might be the most classic and basic form of exercise we can give our dogs. The good thing is that most dogs love to walk. Aside from getting some exercise, walking with your pet is also an excellent way for them to discover the world with their nose. Taking different routes on each walk is also a good idea. This enables them to smell and see different things while meeting new friends and other people.

Conclusion

Exercising is a perfect mood booster for humans and provides mental and physical stimulation for canines. Although regularly exercising with your pet might seem like a tough commitment, it is a great way to deepen the bond between you and them. If you’re unsure about the appropriate exercise and the amount of energy your pet can commit to physical activities, talk to the veterinarian and ask for recommendations and advice.