Jogging With A Dog
This is recommended for active dogs with high exercise needs. Highly active breeds, in particular, benefit from regular jogging, which helps to clear your head as your dog burns off excess energy.
Wait until your dog is a year old before he tags along on jogs to give his joints time to develop. Running tends to put a lot of stress on the joints.
Jogging isn’t a good workout for overweight dogs or those with arthritis. Flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs may struggle with breathing difficulties, so they should avoid jogging.
Let your dog pace the run, but watch for any signs of tiredness or overheating.
Depending on the environment and the dog’s ability to recall, it could do better on a leash, especially a hands-free leash. Runners like Greyhounds may prefer short spurts, but service dogs like golden retrievers will enjoy jogging next to you for at least half an hour.
Speak to your veterinarian for advice on whether jogging suits your dog.
Before you add intense runs or agility sessions, it helps to do a quick health check on your dog:
Circuit Training With Your Dog
Recommended for any dog, especially those who enjoy doing tricks, circuit training is a fun way to exercise together. It can be tailored to suit any fitness level or work around an injury.
Select several exercises for your circuit. Push-ups, planks, lunges, squats, or sit-ups can incorporate tricks for your dog between each rep, such as giving a paw after every forward lunge or letting them try copying your movements.
A dog could hold a downward dog while you hold a plank or sit as you do a wall sit. If the dog is small enough, you could pick it up for a cuddle each rep instead of using weights.
Dancing with your dog
Recommended for dogs who love learning new tricks, Canine Freestyle, a dog sport, has competitions nationwide.
At events, you and your dog perform a routine to music that incorporates tricks to create the illusion that you’re dancing together. Heeling, weaving, paw work, and jumps are just a few tricks dog owners use, but there are many more.
Dog dancing can be tailored to your dog’s physical abilities, and activities they struggle with can be left out of the routine. To keep it fun for you both, use choreography that focuses on tricks that your dog loves doing and is especially good at.
Hiking with your dog
Recommended for dogs with lots of stamina, hiking can be tailored to suit different fitness levels. A good cardio workout that strengthens your core improves balance and builds strength in several muscle groups, hiking gets you and your dog closer to nature.
Hiking has been shown to help combat symptoms of stress and anxiety. Take in the scenery to uplift your spirits. Start dog hikes on shorter routes and easier terrain to help your dog build up its ability before working up to steep hills and uneven terrain as your dog gets comfortable.
Take a dog carrier with you to help younger or smaller dogs when they begin to tire.
Doing Dog Yoga (Doga)
Recommended for calm dogs who like chilling out with you, Doga doesn’t burn off much of the dog’s energy, but it’s good for bonding during workouts.
Include poses like downward dog, upward-facing dog, happy baby, compass pose, supine twist, and supported fetal pose to encourage your dog to stay close during your routine, as these may come more naturally to your dog.
Ask your dog to lie next to you during Savasana and stroke it as you relax together—stroking a pet is proven to release ‘happy hormones’ like oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine in both the giver and the receiver.
The mental stimulation for both dog and yogi helps to fight boredom and has significant mood-boosting effects. Dog yoga is also a chance to brush up on command training or tricks during the workout.
Dog Agility As A Sport
Recommended for highly active, intelligent dogs, especially working breeds like Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Jack Russells, agility is a popular dog sport with active dogs of all ages involving an obstacle course with things like a seesaw, tunnel, weave poles, and jumps for a dog to navigate quickly under your guidance.
As the dog traverses the obstacle course, its owner gets a workout by keeping up as they sprint around the course. Almost any breed may enjoy agility, but you may need to modify some obstacles. Try it if your dog likes learning new tricks or running and jumping.
Set up a makeshift agility course in your backyard using household items. Alternatively, taster sessions and classes are available, and a search for the American Kennel Club (AKC) will likely help you find one.
Nutrition coach, personal trainer and a former NPC figure competitor.
