5 Fun Ways to Exercise Your Dog

Your furry friend needs to be active in order to stay healthy and happy. It’s important to exercise your dog on a daily basis to make sure they get enough activity throughout the day. Not only does exercise keep your dog agile and active, but it also helps to prevent your dog from becoming obese or being at a higher risk for health problems such as arthritis and heart disease. 

If you want to keep your dog active in new and fun ways, keep reading below to find out the five ways you can exercise your dog!

Active play

Do you want your whole family to have fun while exercising your dog? If so, active play is for you! This exercise involves an array of fun-filled activities such as dancing, spinning, playing tug of war, or fetch. These activities can go a long way in building muscle tone and improving the coordination of your dog. Additionally, it can train your dog to be mentally focused which is great for breeds that have higher energy drives.

Swimming

Swimming is one of the most active exercises your dog can do. A minute of swimming is equivalent to your dog running for four minutes. It’s also easy on your dog’s joints and ligaments since swimming is a low-impact activity. In addition, swimming can be done at your local lake, backyard pool, or pond. However, always make sure to keep an eye out when your dog is swimming, especially in deep water. Pay attention to when your dog starts to get tired and let them rest before they continue swimming.

Agility courses

Agility courses are another awesome exercise you should consider for your dog. Obstacle courses can be made out of household items such as chairs, pillows, brooms, and mats. However, you should consider the size and ability of your dog when making these obstacle courses. For instance, if your dog is an agile puppy it can handle a more difficult course compared to a senior dog. As your canine pet takes part in these exercises, they can learn to obey commands and deal with different obstacles.

Dog daycare

Sometimes a busy schedule can get in the way of exercising your dog. If that’s the case, you should consider taking your furry friend to a center offering dog daycare services. Most centers have an open-play area that allows dogs to exercise and socialize. These services not only help your dog stay physically active, but they allow them to interact with other dogs. Before enrolling your dog at any dog daycare service, make sure you research what services they offer and read their previous reviews. If they don’t allow your dog to exercise or do not offer the services you need, you may want to look at other dog daycare facilities.

Hikes and walks

Taking your dog for a walk or hike is one of the easiest and most enjoyable forms of exercise. You can start with a short walk and increase the length and intensity as your canine friend gets used to it.

Takeaway

Keeping your dog active and healthy is an important part of maintaining your dog’s health. Consider trying these exercises with your dog today!