Do you need the motivation to exercise and get back into shape? Your dog can be a great help in doing just that. Your dog will always love exercising with you, and if you find some fun exercises to do with your dog, it will make it a lot easier to want to exercise.
Health Benefits
There are many health benefits to owning a dog, and one of those benefits is exercise. All dogs need exercise, and that will motivate you to exercise yourself. Exercising with your dog is always fun, and there are many things you can do, from a simple walk around the neighborhood to a great game of frisbee. Studies have shown that people who own dogs live longer than those who don’t because they get outside more often and exercise with their dogs.
Go for a Walk
Going for a walk is excellent for any size dog, both big and small. If you don’t want to only go on a walk, you can bring a friend or your phone; your dog won’t mind a bit. In fact, most of the time, they will be too interested in their surroundings. For small dogs like Whoodles, a simple walk around the neighborhood could be enough exercise for the day. However, for bigger dogs that have more energy, this might not be enough to tire them out. They might need something a little more intense to satisfy their needs.
Go for a Run
Going out for a run is great if you have a bigger dog. This will tire them out, and they will have fun running with you. It might not be comfortable holding a leash while you run, so you could consider getting an offhand leash. This leash wraps around your waist so you can move freely without worrying about letting go of the leash.
Go for a Bike Ride
You could also use an offhand leash while riding your bike. Some people have trained their dogs so well they don’t need a leash, but if you haven’t gotten to that state yet, you could use an offhand leash to help keep your dog safe. For a dog, this is almost the same as going for a run. They will love it either way.
Go Hiking
Going hiking is a lot of fun, but you must know when it is too hard for your dog. If you have a smaller dog, it is probably better to find a very easy hike to go on with your dog. If you have a bigger dog, by all means, go on a challenging trail with your dog. You could be hiking over boulders and climbing steep hills. Make sure you keep an eye on your dog’s condition and know when you need to stop for a water break. If your dog starts to heavily pant, it is probably time for a rest and water break.
Play a Good Game of Fetch
You could get the whole family in on the exercise with a good game of fetch. You could play a game of fetch mixed in with keep away. Your dog will love this game. Let him get the frisbee sometimes, but you could also have lots of fun watching your dog try to get it.
Swimming
Most dogs love swimming. You still need to know your dog before throwing him into the pool, but if you let your dog get used to the water, they will have lots of fun swimming with you. It is an excellent exercise for dogs and humans alike.
Exercising with your dog can be a lot of fun and a great way to get in your daily exercise. Many dog owners have said owning a dog has been a great motivation to exercise every day. It helps that your dog will always love to exercise. You can see it in their eyes when they see you getting the leash and harness. Help your dog to help you get in shape by finding great exercises to do with your dog.