The easiest way to get fit with your dog is to go for a walk, hiking, or camping. Play fetch, go swimming, or teach your dog agility.
Some people hate going to the gym, while others love working out but hate leaving their dog friends behind.
Whether you want to work out alongside your dog for more motivation or company, or are simply looking for a way to include your dog in your workouts, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are our favorite ways to get fit with your dog.
Hiking with Your Dog
One of the easiest ways to get fit with your dog is to take them on longer walks or on a hike. It’s important to prepare for longer treks and account for your dog’s stamina when going on hikes.
Younger dog's cannot walk as far as an older dog that's been trained or conditioned to walk longer distances.
We’ve compiled 5 Essential Tips for Hiking or Backpacking With Your Dog to help you with taking a hike with your dog.
Do your research on the trails you plan to take a hike with your dog, as some require leashes, while others allow dogs to hike with you without a leash.
It’s always a good idea to bring a copy of your dog’s vaccination record in case they require it for entry or an emergency happens and you have to visit a non-local vet.
Pushups and Wall Sits with Your Furry Friend
Looking for a workout that’s slightly more structured but still includes your dog? Classic home workouts including pushups and even wall sits can be altered to include your furry best friend.
If your dog is small enough, you can place them on your back for a more intense pushup experience. Not strong enough to do so or have an extremely large dog friend? Combine playing fetch with doing your pushups.
Complete a set of pushups in your yard or living room and then throw a ball or toy for your dog to fetch and bring back to you. Repeat this to combine playtime with your pup with workout time for yourself.
It may surprise you to find that your dog catches on to what you’re doing and even starts emulating your pushups by crouching or bobbing their head up and down.
With wall sits, you can use a smaller dog for added weight by holding them in your arms. For larger dogs, if they’re able, let them lean on you with their front legs while standing on their back legs.
This will give you some added weight to workout while keeping them involved and happy to be part of an activity with you.
Camping with Your Dog
If you’re ready to take your outdoor adventures with your dog to the next level, you may camp with your furry best friend!
Similar to taking your dog on a hike, camping will provide you and your dog many opportunities to get in cardio exercise and explore trails. However, camping with your dog encompasses a multi-day trip and more supplies.
You’ll want to make sure you bring enough dog food and water for your dog, which can typically stored more easily than the just-as-essential human food on the trip.
You’ll also want to account because you’ll be outdoors with your dog for at least 24 hours on most camping trips.
This means that having another human friend along can be extremely helpful so that one of you can focus on your dog at all times while the other is cooking food or going to the bathroom.
Ready to dive into camping with your dog? It's a great way to get fit with your dog.
Give our article on 3 Easy Tips to Pet-Proof Your Tent While Camping a read. It’ll help you set up your trip for success and avoid nasty rips or urine inside your tent setup.
Doggy Ace: Playing Tennis with Your Dog
Did you know some dogs can fit 6 whole tennis balls between their jaws? No? Well, you probably don’t want your pup to break this record anyway...but record-breaking or not, most dogs absolutely love tennis balls and to play fetch!
If you’re trying to avoid the messiest parts of getting fit with your dog in the great outdoors, playing tennis with your dog could be a great alternative. Here’s what you’ll need.
- Tennis racket
- Tennis court (look for a local community center that has reservations)
- Multiple tennis balls (three will do, but the more the better if you don’t mind running after them!)
- Your favorite, best friend pup who loves to play fetch!
- Water bowl and water for your dog
While playing tennis typically requires two or more humans, you’ll want to do a solo adventure with your doggo this time. To set up, decide which side of the tennis court you’ll stand in and which side your dog will fetch tennis balls from.
If you’re on a court with multiple tennis nets and courts, you’ll want to dedicate the side of the court farthest from the exit or other players to your dog. This will prevent your dog from getting distracted or wandering away while they are leash-less.
Next, you’ll serve a tennis ball as normal over the net, and tell your furry friend to fetch! Ideally, they’ll run to the other side of the court, fetch the ball and bring it back. If they take a few tries to figure it out, the more tennis balls you have on-hand the better.
You’re all set for a tennis-filled day of sweat and exercise alongside your pup! Don’t forget to take breaks every few rounds to check on your dog’s breath and see if they’d benefit from a water break.
Getting Fit with Your Dog for Healthy Futures
No matter if you are a dog or a human, exercise is a pillar in staying healthy and living our lives to the fullest. Take these exercises into consideration and balance time together with staying healthy.
This will ensure you and your pet live healthy, long lives together and keep bonding together. Ready to read more on how to bond with your dog and live happily alongside them? Read more on the House that Barks today.
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