Do you find it hard to gather up the motivation to get to the gym? We have good news: If you have a dog, you can use him as your workout partner! No, he won’t be able to spot you as you lift weights, but there are quite a few ways you can get in your exercise while also spending quality time with your BFF (best furry friend).
According to SpiritDog Training, these are the 10 workouts to consider doing with your pooch to get you both the exercise you need for good health.
The most obvious way to get in your workout while spending time with your dog is to go on a daily walk. Dogs need to walk for not only physical exercise but mental stimulation as well. Walk in your neighborhood, in the woods, at a local park, or just about anywhere else you can think of that allows dogs. You can build some extra mindwork for your dog into your routine by having him sit, lay down, stay, and come to you while on your walk. Be sure to carry water for both of you, and enjoy the great outdoors!
This is something you can do with a dog who loves to run. Interval training with a dog can consist of walking for some time (or a specific distance) and then jogging or running for a while, then going back to walking. You can also add in sprints. Tailor this to the ability, size, and stamina of your pooch; you are probably not going to be able to do sprints with a Dachshund, for example, but your German Shepherd might really enjoy this type of exercise.
Do you have a water-loving dog? If so, get your swimsuit on and hit up the pool, lake, or swimming hole. Be sure that your dog can swim before attempting any laps with him. Keep him close to you or on a long leash, and consider getting a dog life jacket if you aren’t sure of his abilities to keep his head above water.
If you can train your dog to play hide and seek, it’s a great way to have fun together while getting in a good workout. Put your dog in a sit/stay in an area of your home or yard where he can’t see where you go. Go and “hide” in a different room, a different corner of the yard, or behind a tree, then call him. It shouldn’t take too many repetitions for your dog to get the idea, and at that point, you can hide in more challenging places. The look of joy on your pup’s face when he finds you will be unforgettable!
Tall, energetic dogs can make excellent bicycling partners. You will need to train him to stay away from the wheels of the bike and not to cross in front of you, so take it slow in a neighborhood with few cars and distractions at first. In time, once your pup is used to the bike and knows to steer clear of it, you can gradually move into areas with more cars and people.
The same goes for inline skating if you enjoy that. For your own safety, teach your dog to stay at your side or slightly behind you. You will need to make sure that he can walk nicely on a leash before you add wheels into the equation. Again, start on a quiet street and build up from there.
If you enjoy yoga, your dog might enjoy doga, which is, you guessed it, yoga for the canine crowd. You can sign up for classes or learn to do it yourself with your pooch. Once your dog gets the hang of a few poses, you can do them together. This isn’t going to be a cardio-heavy workout, but it’s great for stretching and relaxing together, which might be just what you both need after a busy or stressful day.
Want to work on your serve but your only partner is your dog? Combine tennis with a rousing game of fetch, and enjoy the best of both worlds. All dogs don’t know how to fetch, so you might have to teach them. Bring a big bucket of balls, because they’re likely to get pretty slobbery if your dog is really into fetch. Also, be sure that your tennis court allows dogs and try to go at a time where there aren’t other people because most people do not want a dog running through their game!
Ultimate frisbee is a game that people of all ages can enjoy, and some recreational leagues will allow you to bring your dog. If he can catch a frisbee, he can become a player in the game... as long as the human players don’t mind him traveling with the frisbee to get it past the goal line. Gather up several friends with dogs and set up a casual game using dog-friendly rules, and you’ll all be panting by the end of the match.
Many dogs love to chase, and it’s likely that your BFF is no exception! If you watch the way dogs play with each other, they will often take turns chasing one another. You can do this with your dog. First, run toward him and encourage him to run away. Once you tag him (or once you give up, as the case may be), begin running away from your dog while calling his name. He’ll pick up on the point of the game quickly, and you’ll both get in a great workout - as well as a training session in coming when called and not running off!
Working out with your dog is good for both of you mentally and physically. Get your hearts pumping and your muscles working with any of these suggestions. Once your dog learns some games, the two of you will be able to make up additional ones, so your workout routine will stay fresh and fun with your new accountability partner.
