Physical Activity For Dogs (and Owners) In Shape

With these physical activity exercises for dogs your four-legged friend will be in great shape, and so will you!

With the arrival of good weather, the possibilities to train and have fun at the same time in the company of our dogs increase. Here are some tips on physical activity for dogs that are always fit.

Warm-up exercises for you and your dog

If before a training session we have to dedicate at least 15 minutes to warm-up exercises, our animal also needs about ten minutes to prepare its muscles. Follow these simple steps to avoid possible injuries and injuries:

• Put your dog’s leash in your right hand and try to make sure the distance between him and you does not exceed half a meter. Then, walk briskly for two minutes, turn around and walk for another two minutes. Repeat this sequence about four times.
• After the four repetitions, you will need to accelerate the pace until you reach a kind of light trot or sprint and keep walking back and forth for two minutes each time.

• To exercise your shoulders with your dog, have him stand still in one place as you walk around him. He will be the one to perform the exercise.

Exercises and physical activity for dogs

A healthy lifestyle is not achieved by simply working a couple of days a week. A little exercise every day is preferable to concentrating the animal’s entire physical activity in two too intense sessions. Follow this routine with your pet:

• Get out your bike and go cycling accompanied by your dog. While this type of exercise can’t be done by all dogs, and it’s dangerous to ride your dog out on a bike around town, a trained, calm dog can benefit from that half hour of exercise as much as its owner.

• Going out rollerblading will make walking with your pet a lot more fun. Of course, if you have a large dog, be very careful as it may drag you along.
• Classic ball games don’t stop being a physical exercise that both owners and pets can easily perform, whether in an urban or rural setting.
• There are skill games that can even train pets to compete in races, stimulating them both physically and mentally. There are several associations that offer spaces dedicated to these sports.

With small dog breeds, there is also the option to exercise indoors. Eg:

• Encourage your dog to go up and down stairs. It is an easy way to exercise muscles without leaving the house, although you must be careful with breeds with short limbs as they can easily get hurt.

• Playing hide and seek can be both physically and mentally challenging, as well as being a perfect pastime for a rainy day.
• Finally, if you have a treadmill at home, you can train your dog to run on the treadmill and accompany you during home workouts.