Fitness is important for both 4-legged and 2-legged friends, and in this busy modern world we are all co-existing in together, trying to find enough time to get in movement for you AND Fido might sometimes feel impossible.
Have you considered yet that perhaps Fido just might be your best exercise buddy?
Could there be ways to work smarter, not harder in order to engage in some exercise with your best friend and maybe to also to get in some bonding, training, and some fun too? Here are some quick and easy fitness tips to just that!
What you need:
· Your dog
· And open area to exercise and play
· A Long line to keep your dog close and safe OR a fenced in area that you can work with them independently
· High incentive treats (We love Stewarts’, Stella and Chewy’s, Open Farm, Carna4, and Vital Essentials brands for training treats!)
· Water for you and your pup too
Some easy and fun ways to workout with your dog:
· Play Fetch 2.0
Each time your dog returns the ball to you, have them pause to perform a few cues. (Ex: Drop, Sit, Down, Touch, Ok- Go Find! And throw the ball to be retrieved.)
This encourages them to slow down, think, and burn more energy while they perform the cues, (rather than simply building a bunch of endurance running back and forth for the ball.) Upon throwing the ball and while they are running to retrieve it, perform a quick cardio burst yourself. Some examples: High knees, jumping jacks, butt kicks, and burpees can all get your heartrate up quickly and burn calories. When your pup returns the ball, take an opportunity to breath deeply and recover while you run them through a couple cues before repeating the pattern.
· Intervals
Perform short jogging intervals with your pup. Incorporate other intervals as you each build more strength and endurance to enhance the challenge and the novelty!
Make it fun and be sure to communicate with your pup when you are changing pace so that they are ready to move along with you. “Let’s Go!” Indicates we are on the move and I need you to move along with me.
An example of how to do this: Choose an open area you can work with your pup. Find 2 natural markers a distance away from each other. (2 trees, 2 large rocks, put your sweatshirt somewhere and a water bowl somewhere else- you are simply marking 2 points to move between.)
Beginning at Marker 1, tell your dog “Let’s Go!” and jog to Marker 2. When you arrive at Marker 2, ask your dog to Sit or Down and to maintain it until further notice. (We teach our Engaged Dogs an Implied Stay, so there is no need to say the word Stay- you are expected to remain in your cue until instructed otherwise!) While your dog maintains their shape, do a Plank/ Squat/ Chair Pose/ or some other held position, for approx. 30 seconds (change the time based on your dog’s impulse control abilities and your strength capabilities.) Once completed, communicate to your pup “Let’s Go!” Jog back to Marker 1 and repeat the pattern. You can change the exercises you perform and the cues you ask of your dog on every cycle, or simply choose an exercise for each of you and repeat. The amount of times you repeat this exercise is based on you and your pup’s individual fitness levels and this should be built upon slowly to set you both up for success.
· Building Balance
Find a surface your dog where your dog can easily jump up and down.
Ask them to Hop Up, and Hop Down, being sure to Mark and Reward the behaviors you like and want to see repeated as you go. As they Hop Up/ Hop Down, you too Step Up/ Step Down, alternating legs with each repetition.
To build challenge and your balance, slow the movement waaaaayyyyy down. As you step up, take as long as you can to complete the movement. As you step down, take as long as you can to slowly, and in a controlled fashion, step down.
The amount of repetitions is based on you and your pups’ fitness levels and the type of surface. Lean into utilizing surfaces with some give whenever possible as this won’t be so jolting on your pups’ joints and will increase your challenge in maintaining stability as you move around the slightly unstable surface. (Think grass versus cement.)
Some general tips to keep in mind:
· Dogs can overheat quickly and often don’t show obvious signs of doing so. If they are having fun, they WILL forget to slow down and recuperate, even when hot and tired. Take plenty of breaks, offer lots of cold water often, and enjoy the shade whenever possible. Look for excessive panting, a C shaped "shovel tongue," shade seeking, and/or tongue lolling out the side of their mouth as indicators of being too hot. Cool your pup off by getting into the shade, offering cold water, and putting cold water or a cold surface on their very vascular chest and belly to help them cool quickly.
· Consult with your veterinarian to ensure these exercise practices are suitable for your pup. Consult with your PCP to ensure the same for yourself.
· Start slowly to build you and your pup’s strength and endurance. Keep it fun, light, and enjoyable for you both.
Benefits of working out with your pup:
· Relationship building and increased bonding. Any time that you spend with your pup, especially when you are having fun and learning together, is an opportunity to build your bond and your relationship. And your training is only as good as your relationship, so play together! And play often!
· Increased health for you AND for Fido! Both pups and pawrents need cardiovascular exercise and strength building exercises regularly to be in their best health. Consider what activities you can do together to ensure you are building strength, endurance, and cardio health alongside your pup. (We love hiking, light jogging, sniffaris for pup’s while pawrents work on balance poses, and the above outlined exercise opportunities.)
· It’s fun!! As we humans age, we forget to take time to PLAY and just BE. Take the time to have fun and just BE with your pup as often as you can. Our lives are short, and theirs are even shorter. The opportunities to slow down may be few, but take them as you can and experience the JOY of having that sweet pupper in your life.
What are your favorite ways to exercise with your pup? Follow us on all social media to learn more exercises like these and to see ALL the cutest Engaged Dogs.
@Engaged_Dogs
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