How to exercise with your dog

In addition to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising with your dog is also a way to build and strengthen your bond with him.

If you have a puppy at home, you surely agree with the premise that a dog is man’s best friend. They are affectionate, intelligent and love to be integrated into any routine as long as they are close to their owner.

Many people claim that adopting a dog helped them improve their lifestyle since these pets are quite active, they love to play and take a good walk daily. This is why if you are wondering how to exercise with your dog? We will tell you some ideas so that you can exercise together with your pet, and make a much more fun exercise routine that will help you and your dog have a healthier and more fun life.

How to exercise with your dog

What types of exercise can you do with your dog
Playing hide and seek with your dog
Battle for a toy
Squats carrying your pet
Dance class with your pet
Cumshots and walks

What types of exercise can you do with your dog?

Knowing which are the best exercises to do with your pet will depend a lot on the characteristics of your dog. It is important to take into account different factors such as age and breed to ensure the fun and well-being of your pet. Before starting any routine, it is important that you consult with your pet’s veterinarian.

Large breeds: Large breeds generally require more care with their joints since they carry a lot of weight, especially if the pet is overweight. Some examples of breeds that should be careful with joints are Great Dane, Saint Bernard, German Shepherd, Labrador, Bernese Mountain, and Rottweiler.

Breeds with snub noses: It is important not to agitate them too much as they tend to have respiratory complications. Examples of breeds: are Pug, Bulldog, and Boxer.

Taking these indications into account, we can start with the types of exercises you can do with your dog:

1. Play chase with your dog

Pets love to play chase and find people. In addition to being a very entertaining game, with this activity, you will help your pet sharpen his senses and concentration. If you hide, let your dog look for you throughout the house and when he finds you, reward him affectionately. 

The constant movement and speed with which your pet looks for you will make it exercise, and so will you. If you have a large space at home, you can also start running so that he can chase you without losing sight of you; He will love to chase you and cuddle with you when he catches up with you.

2. Battle for a toy

Surely you have ever fought over a toy with your pet, while he holds the object tightly with his mouth, you pull it with your hand. Puppies love this type of game, and the best of all is that you can take advantage of it, while you dispute the toy with your pet, you can do squats. Your pet’s strength will help you climb and it will be a good few minutes to exercise your muscles.

3. Squats carrying your pet 

If your dog likes to be picked up and pampered, one way to share time with him and exercise at the same time will be to carry him while you do a series of squats or other exercises that help you strengthen your arm muscles. Observe your pet’s behavior, do not start with very demanding routines, and if you see that he is very restless and does not want to accompany you, do not force him.

4. Dance class with your pet

Dogs usually react when they feel a festive atmosphere at home, whether it’s singing a birthday, celebrating a national team goal, or commemorating the new year. So another way to exercise with your pet is by dancing. If you like Zumba or aerobics classes, you can invite your pet to join you, while you dance you can play throwing the ball, and make the festive atmosphere of your class also a time to exercise your pet.

5. Runs and walks

Without a doubt, running or walking with your pet is one of the best exercises you can do with your dog. These types of aerobic exercises help strengthen your and your pet’s cardiorespiratory system.

Whether walking or running, the contact your dog has with different smells and sensations is what delights your pet the most. It is important that you take into account some factors such as the distance you intend to walk with your pet, the climate, and the type of soil to which their paws will be exposed. If you live in a hot city, avoid walks in the sun and bring water to hydrate your pet. Make sure your dog doesn’t exert too much effort on his first walks, and over time you can evolve to running or even cycling.

If you have a treadmill at home, you can also place your dog to exercise while you accompany him doing another type of exercise.

6. Yoga with your pet

If you are a yoga lover or are curious about this practice, a good motivation to start is that you can share with your pet while doing the exercises and positions. Also known as Doga, yoga with dogs helps you have moments of calm and relaxation with your pets. Although it is not such a popular practice in Colombia, it is gaining momentum around the world.

This practice will help your dog with stretching, strength, and circulation. If your pet is more active, it will also help them release stress and energy.

We hope you liked these ways to exercise with your dog and if you want to know other creative ideas to exercise your pet at home, we recommend this article: Exercises for dogs at home during quarantine.