The 9 best ways to be active with your dog
The benefits of exercise are numerous and well-established, both for us and for our pets. It keeps us physically healthy, helps us clear our heads after a busy day, and burns off your dog's excess energy, which could otherwise result in annoying behavior. Dogs are also the best training partners - they are always ready for joint adventures, start together now! So if you're looking for a new way to be active with your dog, check out our top tips for the best dog training.
Generally important - don't overburden your dog
First, a quick tip on how you can take care of your best friend's well-being while working out together. You should always be guided by your dog when it comes to how much and how intensively you train. Because of the coat, dogs can overheat and tire much faster than we do. So pay attention to the following signs when your dog has had enough:
- Excessive panting
- Widely sticking tongue
- Very pale gums
- vomiting or diarrhea
- He's lagging behind
- Unwilling to go out or continue training
- Tiredness and a kind of sore muscles the day/days after training
During the summer and winter months, be particularly careful to adjust your training accordingly. Avoid the hottest times of day in summer and choose shorter, less intense forms of exercise. Bring water for your dog and check that the sidewalks aren't too hot for his paws by placing your hand on it for 10 seconds - if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your dog too. In winter, you should avoid icy areas as much as possible, especially where salt has been sprinkled. It is recommended to put on booties or free your dog's paws from snow and ice after returning home.
1. Take your dog for a walk
Best suited for: Every dog, but especially those who have problems with more intensive, stressful exercises.
Walking with your dog is the classic dog exercise, and for good reason — it's a great way for you and your dog to move at your own pace. It is easy on the joints and is suitable for all fitness types, including overweight pets or those who want to increase their training workload.
To diversify your walks, you can grab a coffee and explore a new area. Allow your dog to take a “sniffing walk,” during which he can take as much time as he wants to explore any new smells he encounters.
2. Jog with your dog
Best suited for: Active dogs with a high need for exercise. (Not recommended for puppies, overweight dogs, dogs with joint problems, or dogs with short snouts (brachycephalic).
Jogging with your dog is a good way to clear your mind and reduce your dog's excess energy. Very active breeds in particular benefit from regular runs. Some dogs prefer short, sharp interval sprints (such as greyhounds), while others like to jog next to you for half an hour or longer (such as Labrador Retrievers).
We recommend waiting until your dog is at least one year old before jogging so that his skeleton and soft tissue components can develop healthily, as running can put a lot of strain on the joints. For the same reason, this is also not suitable training for severely overweight dogs or those with arthritis. Dogs with short snouts (brachycephalic) should also refrain from jogging as they may have respiratory problems. Talk to your vet to find out if jogging is right for your dog.
When you go jogging, let your dog set his own pace and look for signs of tiredness or overheating. Depending on how well your dog handles the recall and how safe the environment in which you are running is, it is better to keep him on a leash.
3. Hiking with your dog
Best suited for: Dogs with lots of stamina.
Hiking is another fantastic form of exercise for you and your dog that can be tailored to different fitness levels. It's a great cardio workout that strengthens your core, improves balance, and engages a wide range of muscle groups. The proximity to nature and the beautiful landscape also lift the mood and have been shown to help combat symptoms of stress and anxiety.
When you introduce your dog to hiking, start with shorter hikes on easier terrain so that he can improve his skills. As soon as your dog feels comfortable, you can approach steep hills and uneven terrain. For younger or smaller dogs, you should bring a dog carrier so that you can help him when he gets tired.
4. Swim with your dog
Best suited for: Water-loving dogs, particularly older dogs or dogs suffering from arthritis.
Not all dogs like to be in water, but for those who do, swimming is wonderful. It is a full body workout that relieves your dog's joints and is therefore ideal for seniors or dogs with joint problems such as arthritis.
While some dogs were genetically born, such as the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, others may find it difficult and don't instinctively know how to swim. Until you are sure that your dog is comfortable, we recommend that you equip him with a life jacket and supervise him at all times. Breeds such as dachshunds and bulldogs and dogs with a specific weight distribution have a particularly difficult time, which is why life jackets are always recommended.
A pool in the garden, a lake or the ocean are an ideal place for your dog to bathe, as long as you take a few precautionary measures. Always provide enough fresh drinking water so that your dog doesn't drink the chlorinated or saline water; avoid lakes with blue-green algae, which are poisonous to dogs, and watch out for torrential floods or strong currents on the beach. Also make sure that your dog does not swallow sand on the beach, as this can lead to life-threatening gastrointestinal obstruction.
In general, it's best to keep swimming sessions short — 10-15 minutes maximum — to prevent your dog from getting tired, overheating, or swallowing too much water. Avoid throwing large toys into water, as your dog could inadvertently ingest water while fetching. Smaller, flat toys like frisbees are a better choice. Dry your dog thoroughly after it has come out of the water, especially skin creases and ears, to prevent infections.
5. Yoga with your dog (dog yoga)
Best suited for: Quiet dogs who like to relax with you.
Dog yoga doesn't use much energy, but it's a good way to engage with your dog while you train yourself. Encourage your dog to stay close to you during the exercise and incorporate some poses that he can easily imitate. Some of the poses that should be easier for your dog include the downward-facing dog, the upward-facing dog, the compass position, the happy baby, the back turn, and the child's posture.
Ask your dog to lie down next to you during Savasana and pet him while you relax together. It's been proven that petting your pet releases both of you happiness hormones — including oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine, which help our bodies calm down and relax. In addition, cortisol levels (stress hormone) are reduced and blood pressure is lowered.
6. Circuit training with your dog
Best suited for: All dogs, especially those who like to do tricks.
Circuit training with your dog is another great way to be active together and can be tailored to any fitness level or individual needs. Choose a range of exercises for your circuit, such as push-ups, lunges, squats, sit-ups, or plank, and incorporate tricks for your dog between repetitions. For example, every time you do a lunge forward, ask your dog to give his paw and “shake hands.” Some dogs enjoy imitating your movements - for example, when you do a plank, ask him to take a “downward dog” position, or ask him to also “sit” while “sitting on the wall.” If your dog is small enough, you can even pick him up and pet him after each repetition instead of using dumbbells or a kettlebell.
It is just as important to train your dog's mind as it is to train his body; mental stimulation helps fight boredom and can improve the mood. So take the opportunity to brush up on your dog's commands and tricks during training so that he is happier and behaves well.
7. Dog agility
Best suited for: Very active, intelligent dogs, including working dogs.
As one of the most well-known “dog sports”, agility is very popular with active dogs of all ages. It consists of an obstacle course with elements such as a seesaw, a tunnel, weaving poles and jumps, which your dog can complete as quickly as possible under your guidance. Agility is also training for yourself, because you have to keep pace with your dog and concentrate as he sprints through the course!
Although active, intelligent breeds such as Border Collies, Australian Shepherds and Jack Russells are particularly suitable for agility, almost every breed can enjoy it in some way (even though you may have to adjust some obstacles). If your dog likes to learn new tricks, run and jump, you should try it out.
Many local associations offer taster courses and courses. You can also set up a makeshift agility trail in your garden.
8. Frisbee with your dog
Best suited for: Dogs that like to fetch.
Frisbee is another great form of training for your four-legged friend that is also beneficial for you as you run and throw the Frisbee. Diversify your usual fetch game by teaming up with friends and their dogs and playing a human-dog version of Ultimate Frisbee.
If your dog is a pro at catching Frisbee over long distances, you might even want to consider having him participate in competitions known as “disc dog” competitions. They are very popular in some countries, both for beginners and for experienced participants - they are still very popular with you.
9. Dancing with your dog
Best suited for: Dogs that love to learn new tricks.
“Dog Dancing,” also known as “Canine Freestyle,” is another popular dog sport that even has competitions. In freestyle, you and your dog perform a freestyle to music that contains tricks (they look like you're dancing together). This includes heeling, weaving, paw work, jumps and much more.
One of the big benefits of dog dancing is that it can be tailored entirely to your dog's physical abilities. If he has problems with jumps or other strenuous tricks, remove them from the exercise. The choreography can focus on tricks that he likes to do and that he is particularly good at, so that you both enjoy it.
synopsis
Exercising with your dog is a good way to promote the bond between humans and dogs and to keep you both fit. It is a proven mood booster for you and provides both mental and physical stimulation for your dog, which can reduce boredom and potentially disruptive behavior around the house. It's also great fun for both of you! We hope we've inspired you to try out new training with your dog. If you are unsure how much or what type of exercise is appropriate for your dog, ask your vet for advice and he can advise you on any restrictions or adjustments you should make to keep your dog healthy and safe while training together.
