Dogs are amazing creatures. They are loving and caring, true best friends. And you know what else do they also good at? They can be our best workout partner who is always available for a quick training with an endless amount of patience. Here are 10 tips on what you can do together.
Running outdoor with your dog
Medium and large dogs typically make great long-distance running partners. For small breeds, running could be very intense and harmful to their joints. Before going out for a longer distance, make sure that your dog is in good shape. Finding a great route would help you and your dog to have a disturbance-free running experience. Bring some water with you if you can.
Dog Yoga
Also known as doga, this at-home activity is perfect for cosy winter days or just days when you’re cooped up indoors when long outdoor walks and backyard fetch sessions just aren’t viable options. It lets you treat your dog to some one-on-one attention infused with range-of-motion movements and nurturing mental connections. If you’d like to know more about dog yoga, click here.
Find a good hiking partner
When it comes to hiking with your dog, physical characteristics are as important as personality. There are many dog breeds that have been bred for long hours of work in the outdoors during any and all weather conditions, and these breeds are the best choices for those looking for very active companions. If you’re looking for the perfect hiking partner, you’ll want to consider these active breeds of dogs.
A couple of examples of dog breeds for hiking companions are Siberian Husky, Bernese Mountain Dog, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Australian Sheperd, Pointer, Hungarian Vizsla, Australian Cattle Dog and Weimaraner.
Non-joint stressing exercises
Some breeds famously have problems with their joints over time. We collected some ideas for low and high-intensity workouts that are non-joint stressing. Swimming can be a good way to start. Additionally, if you’re taking your dog swimming, for example, you’ll want to make sure he has familiarity with the water and can handle himself in that environment. After all, not all breeds are well equipped for water.
Nose work is a great work provide your dog some physical and mental stimulation. You can set up some home-made snuffle mat for nose smell traning. If you’re intrested in hearing more, we write an article about ideas for you. Click here!
Gentle play sessions are fun. You can play hide and seek with some small snacks or favourite toys. A modified tug-of-war can be fun but needs some pre-training like teaching your dog some commands (drop, gentle) to avoid getting too intense.
Trail Running
Before jumping into trail running, make sure that your dog is in good condition and is capable of doing high-intensity workouts. Some breeds are more athletic sporting and are more suitable for trail running, like breeds in the hunting and herding classifications. We collected some beginner’s tips to trail running. For this article, click here!
Ride bikes together
A perfect Saturday afternoon program for you and your dog. Riding a bike with your dog sound chilling, right? He can sit in a woven bike basket in the front looking for exciting new things during the journey. For larger breeds running next to your bike can be great exercise.
Agility
If you’ve ever seen dog agility on TV, you’ll know it’s a fast-paced, exhilarating challenge for dogs and their owners. But as fun, as it is to watch, it’s even more fun to put into practice with your dog! Agility is a great pick for outdoor exercise combining high-intensity movements and learning tricks which have benefits for physical and mental health. Surely you can find places around your home where you can train with your dog but if you’re looking for tips to create a place at home for agility obstacles and gauges, click here!
Trick routins
Learning new tricks and practising is a great opportunity for simultaneous bonding with your dog. Basic commands are a good way to keep your dog under control, strengthen communication and give your dog some confidence. If you would like to teach some epic moves or tricks, you can do it at home or in a quiet outdoor place. Bring some snacks and let the training begin. Here are some epic tricks to begin with. Click here!
Low intensity outdoor sports
Low-intensity workouts can be a good start for both of you. If you would like to lose weight, get into shape or have quality time with your dog, exercising with your dog can be a great way to do so. Exercises with a dog can also promote the dog-human bond so newish pet owners can benefit a lot from having some exercises with their pups. Here are some low-intensity workout tips: go jogging, go for a walk, play frisbee in the park, kayaking and play fetch or catch. The best choice is always up to you and your dog, but before trying any of the listed sports, get in touch with a local veterinarian to see if the chosen sport is recommended for your dog’s breed.
High intensity outdoor sports
If you’re thinking about trying any of the activities listed below with your dog, you’ll need to make sure that both of you are in shape and well prepared for more involved workouts. Sometimes and for some breeds you’ll need to build your dog up gradually to the intense workouts like hiking, running longer mileages, swimming or Trail Running. The best choice is always up to you and your dog, but before trying any of the listed sports, get in touch with a local veterinarian to see if the chosen sport is recommended for your dog’s breed.
