How to Keep your Dog Physically Fit

Make sure you have a fit dog. Take your dog biking. Take your dog swimming!

One worry that new dog owners have is how to keep their furry friend physically fit. The answer to this takes dogs and their owners through a journey of what does and doesn’t work. The type of exercise a dog needs depends on the breed that dog is. But regardless of the breed, the most scientifically proven way of keeping your dog fit, is exercise. Just like humans, dogs need exercise to stay healthy, happy, and out of mischief. Exercising also helps reduce the chances of getting conditions like obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and it even prolongs your pup’s life. Don’t worry if you can’t go outside, there are inside exercises you can do with your dog too!

Outdoor exercise: Take your dog hiking!

Taking your dog on an outdoor exercise adventure can be fun for both of you! Apart from the health benefits, it gives your dog a chance to explore places and sites and to bond with you outside of your home. In this way, your dog gets to know you outside of the house and gives your dog adaptive tricks or mechanisms in instances of attack or other unexpected things. In addition, it allows your dog to bond and socialize with other dogs, while you get to socialize with their dog parent! Some fun exercises you can do with your dog outside are: hiking, biking, going to dog parks, and swimming!

Take your dog biking!

Research shows that most dogs love to go on bike rides with their owners. So as a dog owner, it’s highly recommended to take your dog on a ride with you. Since it can be dangerous to allow your dog to run free, you can buy bicycle attachments that attach the dog to the bike while preventing him from running too close behind and getting hurt. Doing this often, will help your dog (and you) burn calories, which in turn, will help them live a healthy, long life.

Dog play dates and dog meetups at the park can be fun!

Taking your dog to the park allows for the chance to socialize with other dogs while being fit at the same time.

Take your Dog Swimming and Do the Doggy Paddle!

Often, swimming does not make it among the list of exercises for dog’s fitness. However, it is one of the most effective physical exercises for dog fitness, apart from jogging. Taking your dog swimming is a low-impact exercise, so it doesn’t stress the joints of older or arthritic dogs. It also works many muscles at the same time. While not all dogs are natural swimmers, most can learn to enjoy it and the benefit for that, according to Tailwaggers Country Inn, helps to stem behavioral problems that arise from pent up energy. It also stimulates dogs to achieve increased happiness as most dogs equally get bored just as humans do. If you want a happy, healthy, joint-relieving exercise for your dog, then it’s time to jump in that pool and doggy paddle!

During COVID, dog exercise indoors could be crucial.

Indoor exercises are easier and more convenient for busy owners. Unlike outdoor exercises, indoor exercises are done at the convenience of both the dog owners and the dog itself and in ways that do not require extra effort. It can be done at any time and in any part of your house without incurring extra charges or resulting into any third party risk such as potential bullying and biting that happens in the park or on the road.

Hide and Seek

Among the most effective, time managed, and object efficient indoor exercise for dogs, hide and seek is the best!As a result, getting your dog to do it helps with physical fitness and healthy living.

Up and down the stairs workout

Moving up and down the stairs with your dog is a great way to stay fit and build muscle. This is easy and you might even be doing this and not know how active you have been keeping your dog. However, this type of exercise is not optimal for older dogs or dog breeds with shorter legs and longer backs (e.g., dachshunds). b

Playing a game of tug war… And let them win sometimes

Just like the stair workout and hide and seek, playing “Tug of war” with your dog can be a great way to build muscle and strengthen your relationship. There are lots of toys that can be used to play tug with your dog. All of these activities will lead to a fit dog! Keeping your dogs physically fit helps keep them healthy and keep them around longer! Exercising outside or inside helps create a strong bond with you and your dog that will make you happy and healthy!

Want to learn more about dog training, dog behavior and dog nutrition?

Check out Pawsitive app to actually put theory into practice and start applying all this knowledge. The Pawsitive app helps dog parents raise happy, healthy dogs by providing community and professional support. We connect you to other dog parents and professionals. We are building a supportive dog parent community and we are better than dog social media! Stay accountable for completing wellness milestones with your dog and other dog parents, dog moms, and dog dads.