Did you know that dog owners do an average of 3000 more steps in a day than non-dog owners?
Dogs make great workout buddies. They keep a positive attitude, they help you have fun and you get cuddles at the end! What’s not to love! Shake up your workouts and work like and with a dog!
1. Go for a trail run – running on a trail is better for both people and dogs. It makes people train harder while running on uneven terrain and it’s easier on your dog’s sensitive paws. Get some fresh air and take in the scenery.
2. Doggy Yoga – It’s a thing – unfold your mat and have some licks and giggles with your furry friends.
3. Tennis – Work on your serve and turn it into a game of fetch. This is a great workout and good skill practice and adds a little fun to the typical game of fetch. Everyone wins! (and you don’t have to chase the ball…you have an automatic ball retriever.)
4. Cardio Circuit – Spice up your usual morning walk with your dog, run for 30 seconds then do a strengthening exercise. For instance, run for 30 seconds then do squats, every time you bend, give your pooch a scratch or rub. Step ups on the curb, push ups on a bench – be creative, it will be awesome.
5. Shake and Lunge – This one only works if you dog is trained to “shake a paw”, if not substitute shake with a rub. Like the squats above, every time you bend ask for a “shake”.
6. Puppy Push-ups – Don’t try this at home if you have a large dog or bad luck. A fun, challenging spin on push-ups, place your pup on your back and do 10 reps.
7. Doggy Wall Sit – This exercise has two versions – small dog and big dog.
For a small dog, position your back against the wall and lower yourself so your knees are at a 90 degree angle from the floor and above your heels. Then hold your small dog for a little added weight. For large dog, position yourself the same, but have your dog sit across from you and place their paws on your legs for a little extra bonus weight.
8. Go for a Swim – If you have a pond or a lake near you, break out the bathing suit and head for the water. Swimming is great for dog’s joints and easier on their paws than running.
9. Ultimate Frisbee – Get the whole family involved with this fun workout! Grab the kids, the significant other, and the dog and head out for a game of ultimate Frisbee. This is not only a fabulous cardio workout, it challenges your hand-eye coordination and strategic skills.
10. Build an Obstacle Course – This is another game the whole family can get involved in. Scatter things in your yard to run around, get a hula hoop to jump through. Climb, run, crawl, jump – there is no limit to your workouts!
