Spring Day is around the corner! A day where we notice the blossoms starting to bloom and the sun feels slightly warmer. Everyones mood suddenly changes too… Summer is on it’s way! Lets face it, exercising during the cold winter months is hard work and most of us would rather curl up under a blanket and snuggle with our furry loves.
With warmer days, we are more inclined to put on our running shoes and get fit- So why not do it with your best friend! Here are some ideas on how to get outdoors and get fit with your furry loves…
Take a jog – everyone loves a running partner and your furry love is perfect for the job. Ease into it and take care not to over do it for yourself or your pooch. No one went from couch potato to marathon runner over night! If you are not a keen runner, a brisk walk is just as good. If you live near a beach, even better. Taking your pooch for a walk will not only increase your mood, it will increase your pups mood too and he will be less likely to behave badly.
Join an agility training group – agility training is a great cardio workout for both you and your pup. It also increases your dogs coordination. You can train for competitions too, who knows you might just win that first prize!
Doga – It might sound strange, but the benefits of yoga are just as good for your furry love as they are for you. Teach your hound a few poses like ‘downward dog’, ‘upward dog’ and ‘double leg stretch’. This quiet time with your dog is great owner-pet bonding time.
Take a swim – Swimming is a fun way to get fit, and swimming with your furry love is even better! Run, jump and dive with your pooch. Play fun water games like fetch and see who is the best doggy paddler. Swimming is especially beneficial for dogs suffering with arthritis. Taking a slow calm swim is just as beneficial for them.
Play some frisbee – Dogs love to play fetch and frisbee offers a fantastic workout at the same time. A quick game of frisbee in your garden after work will do wonders for your pooch and yourself. Get the kids to join in too. It’s a fun activity for the entire family.
Kick a ball – Which dog doesn’t love running after a ball? So playing a game of soccer is an obvious choice. It is another game the entire family can enjoy too. Please take care not to kick the ball too hard or directly at your dogs face and body!
Take a hike – If you have an athletic pooch, a hike is the perfect way to spend your Saturday or Sunday mornings. Dogs love to go out and find new smells and meet new animals while spending quality time with their owners. Be sure to protect yourself and your pooch against ticks and fleas and remember to pack plenty of water to drink.
The dog park – while this isn’t necessarily the best work out for you, your pooch LOVES a bit of off the leash madness! Provided your dog is well socialised, having a crazy run around with friends at the park is an awesome way for them to burn off that extra energy.
Please be careful not to over do it with your pets. You know your dog, so look for signs of fatigue. Be careful not to exercise during the heat of the day. Early mornings or late afternoons are best. Always remember to offer your dog plenty of water during and after exercising. Just like us dogs can dehydrate and get heat exhaustion. Consider the age of your furry love too. Puppies shouldn’t be over exercised and older dogs will be slower in their activities. A visit to the vet is always recommended before you start an exercise program with your pets.
Most importantly, enjoy getting fit with your best pal!
Please share your comments and photos of you and your furry loves getting fit together 🙂
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