6 Fun Exercises That Can Help You Bond With Your Dog
If you are looking to lose weight, your dog can be a great fitness partner. You will not have to buy any gym equipment or get a gym membership because you can use familiar routes and only need a leash and harness. Additionally, exercising with your dog is a great way to form lifetime bonds with them. The exercises you choose should be fun and right for you and your dog’s fitness levels. Also, talk to your doctor and vet before any of you start a new exercise routine.
Go For a Run
Running can help burn about 640 calories per hour and is a great exercise option for younger, more active, and energetic dogs. Because running covers everything from slow jogs to sprints, it is important to pick a pace that suits both you and your dog.
One thing to keep in mind is that duration is much more important than intensity. This is because if you go hard for a few minutes and are too tired to go on, then you will not see the benefits you are looking for. You can always pick up the pace once you and your dog have gotten into a rhythm.
Remember that the pace you choose should be appropriate for the dog you have. Smaller dogs tire quickly and may not be able to handle a higher pace. Additionally, you might have to taper your pace as your dog ages because many older dogs suffer from joint problems and running only makes them worse. Ask your My Whoodle what their appropriate exercise should be to get a better idea of how much they can handle.
Take Your Dog on a Walk
Dogs love walks. Once you get into a routine, you will see their ears perk up and their tails start wagging as soon as you pick up the leash and harness. Taking your dog on a walk can benefit both of you because regular walks can motivate you to work out and can help keep your dog healthy and happy.
Walking is a low-intensity workout that can be enjoyed by people and dogs of all ages. The good thing is that you can talk on your phone while on a walk and your dog will not care because they will be occupied with their surroundings.
To keep yourself motivated and ensure that you do not skip any days, it is a good idea to chart a route that starts at your door.
Walking is also recommended for older dogs that can no longer go on runs due to their age or joint and hip problems. Remember that running puts a lot of strain on these joints and can make any conditions your furry friend has worse.
Also, if you use walking exercises as a way to alleviate conditions such as arthritis and joint pain, it is always a good idea to include supplements in your dog’s diet. The supplements you choose should have ingredients that help with the production of lubrication and that support the health of the cartilages and tendons around the joints.
At the very least, they should have glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid. A great option is the joint supplements from YuMOVE. These supplements contain all three of the above plus vitamins and essential minerals to help support and support joint function. YuMOVE makes supplements that improve your dog’s joint health by including carefully selected ingredients. Their supplements come as chewable tablets, healthy bites, and soft chews.
Go on a Bike Ride
Cycling is a great exercise that can help you burn about 600 calories per hour. Also, cycling is a better alternative to running for people who find running to be too aggressive for their joints. The good thing about cycling is that you can always bring your dog along.
A lot of people are surprised to find out how fast their dogs are and how far they can run or walk if the pace is right. Additionally, cycling is a great way to exercise a good that is too active because you will be able to travel further than if you walked or ran.
You can invest in a good-quality e-bike if you’re looking for a convenient way to get around with your dog without sacrificing speed or utility. They’re quiet, efficient, easy to ride, and you can even operate them without pedaling entirely.
Play Fetch
If your dog loves to fetch Frisbees or tennis balls, that can be an opportunity for you to get in on the action. Instead of standing around waiting for them to bring the Frisbee or ball back, you can do some simple exercises. You can add burpees, lunges, squats, or push-ups while you wait for them to return the item. If you want to increase the length of your exercises, you can always opt for a ball thrower.
A ball thrower throws much further than your arm can and with the higher speed, your dog can sprint faster to retrieve it.
Another idea is to switch from a Frisbee throw and retrieval into a Frisbee race. If you throw the Frisbee correctly, you can get a lot of hang time which will allow for a longer race against your dog. The idea is to sprint as fast as possible, let your dog retrieve the Frisbee, catch your breath for a few seconds and then throw again. This can be a very intense cardiovascular exercise for both you and your dog if done right.
Do Some Yoga
Yoga is a low-intense exercise with lots of physical and mental health benefits. If you love yoga, you can include your dog, too. Dog yoga, also called doga, consists of a series of poses that are designed to incorporate your dog. You can use their weight for balance, and this can be a great bonding experience for the both of you.
If you have never done this type of yoga, you can always check online to see how to do it properly or join a doga class. Not only will you get an instructor to show you how to do the poses correctly, but joining a class is also a great opportunity to meet people.
Swimming
Swimming is a great exercise because it helps you work out all of your muscles at the same time. It helps build cardiovascular fitness and endurance. Swimming is also low impact, so it does not put stress on your joints like running or walking do.
Swimming is also great because most dogs already love water and can swim really well. It is also a great exercise for aging dogs or those that have joint or muscle issues. Swimming allows them to work out without the strain and pain they would otherwise experience from doing other forms of exercise.
You can create a routine where you take a lap and then call your dog to you. This allows you to swim the lap as fast and intensely as you can and take a breath while your dog swims to you.
There are so many ways of exercising with your dog with the added benefit of finding some time to bond with them. The good news is that you do not have to purchase any equipment as there are lots of items you can use that you already have. Let your creativity come through so you can incorporate some gaming elements for even more benefits.
