Regarding exercising, humans have several options that might not be good for our furry friends, such as treadmills, ellipticals, and weight machines. However, if you're looking to give your dog something fun to do while also keeping him fit and healthy, these 8 exercises are just the thing! They're also good alternatives if your dog has joint problems or other concerns that prevent him from doing more strenuous activities like running or agility training.
There are endless reasons you should exercise with your dog, from the social and emotional benefits of spending time with your pet to more concrete health benefits like decreasing your dog's risk of obesity, heart disease, and joint pain as he or she ages. Exercise with your dog can be a fun and rewarding experience for both of you, but it's essential to ensure you're using the right exercises at the right time to reap these rewards. Here an e some great activities for dogs to get you started.
Walking
Walking is excellent for people, but it's even better for dogs. Just l like us, they need to release energy, and Walking helps with that. It also helps with weight management, which can be a concern if your dog is on the larger side of the scale. Plus, t strengthens their joints and muscles to help prevent injury. Walking also gives them something mentally stimulating to do while walking around in the fresh air.
Running
Dogs are often seen as slobbering, over-excited pups. But do you know that not only can they be exercise buddies, but they can also help you live longer? A stud from the National Institute on Aging and the National Cancer Institute found that dog owners were 30% less likely to die from heart disease than non-dog owners. So running with your pup is a great way to keep both of you healthy and happy. How t get started:
Keep it slow at first if your pup is used to Walking or jogging. Start y walking with him for a few minutes, and then give him a chance to run and catch up with you in 10 seconds.
Swimming
- Swimming encourages physical activity.
- Swimming keeps your pup cool on hot days.
- Swimming is a great mental exercise because it works their mind and body.
- Swimming can help build muscle and strengthen joints in arthritic dogs by keeping them active and stretched out.
- If you don't have access to a pool, try taking your pup to the beach or a lake and playing ball or fetch with them in the water!
- If you're ambitious, try teaching your pup how to swim!
Frisbee
Exercise is essential for dogs, but it can take a lot of work to figure out how to get started. With s my creativity, however, you can find several ways to exercise your pup. One excellent option is the Frisbee. You can toss a Frisbee around your yard or in an open field while you walk your dog on a leash. If it's too difficult to throw the Frisbee from the ground because of terrain or other obstacles, try standing on a bench and tossing it as far as possible for your dog to run after it. Tossing a Frisbee will help keep your dog healthy and happy!
Hiking
Regarding exercise, dogs need to be physically and mentally stimulated. Hiking is one of the best ways to do both because it's fun and takes them off their standard path. Plus, they get more workouts than on a walk or jog. You can choose how long you want your hike to be by determining how far away your destination is and how quickly you want them to get there. Dogs an e not heavy-duty running machines like humans are, so keep an eye on them if they start getting tired.
Obedience training
- Practice sit. When y ur pup does something good, give them a treat and make sure they sit before they get it so that they know that this is how they should behave when their owner gives them pleasure. This w ll take time but will eventually get them to understand what's expected of them when they are given food or attention. It is also helpful to have your pup associate obedience training with tasty foods like cheese, chicken, bacon, etc., instead of boring kibble from their bowl.
- Praise when they go in the right spot - teaching the dog where they should go potty outside can be difficult if you praise them. Only sometimes do they do it correctly!
- Leave toys around the house - not just on walks! If you have enough toys for both you and your pet, try leaving a toy here and there around the house to encourage playtime in different areas of the house and keep both of you entertained!
Playing fetch
- Playing fetch keeps their mind sharp.
- It relieves boredom and can help with separation anxiety.
- It strengthens a lifelong bond between you and your dog because it requires participation and attention.
- Playing fetch can burn energy which makes them tired and less likely to engage in destructive behavior when left unattended, like chewing on furniture or barking at people outside of their window,
- Fetch can help them live longer by increasing their heart rate without intense physical activity, making exercise more enjoyable.
Tug-of-war
Playing tug-of-war is a great way to play with your dog and give them mental stimulation. It's an excellent way to teach your dog you are in charge. Tug-of-war can help stimulate your pup's mind and body, plus it can be a lot of fun for you, too. The ga e requires both of you to have the same level of energy and focus. It will strengthen the bond between you two and teach your pup that they need to work hard to get what they want from you, making them more cooperative during training sessions. Another added bonus? Tug-of-war helps satisfy your pup's prey drive by letting them tug on something similar to their natural prey.
Exercising with your dog can be one of the best ways to bond with your pet and help him or her live a happier and healthier life. But, if you need to figure out what exercises are best to help your dog, this article will walk you through which exercises can help your pup reach his or her full potential! First, we take an overview of why exercising with dogs is so beneficial, then we'll dive into each exercise and why it's great for your pup!
