How to Create a Fitness Plan That Works for You and Your Dog

At a basic level, exercising with your dog deepens inimitable bonds and helps both you and your canine companion burn off excess energy. However, studies show that exercise also boosts the basic health benefits of dog ownership and can be key in helping you develop healthy habits. 

There’s probably little stopping you from going out for a brisk walk with your dog right now. However, maintaining your health should not be about sporadic one-time events. Rather, success in your shared health journey is about creating sustainable habits that both you and your dog can observe consistently. 

If you’re serious about staying healthy with your pup, it’s a good idea to create a realistic, goal-oriented fitness plan. Below are some of the must-dos that will ensure that you and your furry friend stay active and healthy for years to come. Fit your dog with PrideBites custom Martingale collars to mark the start of your wellness odyssey, and follow these tips:

1) Visit the Vet and Your Doctor before Beginning

Before starting any new exercise routine, you should consider getting a checkup from qualified health professionals. This is important for you, but it can also be especially important for your dog since they might injure themselves trying to keep up with you. Senior dogs as well as dogs with a history of orthopedic injuries may need appropriate vet-recommended exercises to avoid exacerbating their existing issues.

2) Don’t Overdo Things

In the grand scheme of things, sustainability trumps intensity when it comes to exercise. Outside some very specific situations, gentler exercises done more often will do both you and your dog more good than intense workouts that burn you out prematurely.

In the beginning, aim for a gradual approach and start increasing your exercise levels incrementally. This allows you and your dog to adapt without potentially dangerous stresses and enables more frequent exercise over the long term.

3) Incorporate Variety

Believe it or not, even the most energetic dogs can get bored with repetitive routines. When this happens, they may become less compliant and, unfortunately, a lot less happy. To avoid this, consider offering a variety of activities outside their daily walk:

4) Teach Your Dog Tricks

Teach your dog simple conditioning exercises like doggy push-ups and the figure-eight stretch to improve muscle tone and flexibility during your breaks. Incorporating these tricks into your fitness plan can break up the monotony of the routine and make workouts even more enjoyable.

5) Join a Fitness Program

Structured fitness programs provide a framework for regular exercise and can be a fun way to meet other dog owners and their pets. Having these structures and relationships may give you extra motivation to stay fit and be beneficial in building healthy long-term habits with your dog.

6) Watch Out for the Weather

In the summer, check the ground temperature with your hand to see if it’s safe for your dog to venture out. Encourage them to stay hydrated and stop exercising the moment you see your dog becoming stressed from the heat. 

Conversely, in the winter, have your dog wear protective booties and keep sessions short to avoid problems from the cold. Consider training your dog to use a treadmill for those days when venturing out isn’t an option.

7) Use Safety Gear

For certain activities like rollerblading or cycling, use appropriate safety gear such as a hands-free leash or a Springer device to absorb sudden pulls. Using the right tools should keep both you and your dog safe during these vigorous activities.

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With some adjustments, following these tips should leave you with a tailored fitness plan that keeps both you and your dog physically healthy and mentally engaged. Enjoy the ups and downs of the process, and rest assured that any time spent bonding with your canine companion is time well spent.