Importance of exercising – In many forms

Taking your dog for a walk is a great way for both you and your dog to get out and exercise. It is not only a good cardio vascular exercise but also a great way to stimulate the mind with all the different sights and smells.

 

Walking is a good all-around exercise that can be undertaken by young and old dogs and dogs that are undergoing rehabilitation. However is it the only form of exercise available to our pooches? What if you are unable to get out for a walk (lock down restrictions?), what if your dog is reactive and walks just aren’t enjoyable? What if the dog is on restricted exercise for medical reasons?

This Blog will highlight the many different ways to exercise your Pooch and the benefits of using them!

 

Walking your dog, its importance

Walking the dog is a simple yet effective task that has numerous benefits and can be important in maintaining their overall health and welfare.

• Maintaining/improving their overall weight and body condition. Walking can be a great way to reduce body fat and burn off some of that energy.
• Maintains/increases joint health. Keeping joints in motion helps with joint health and prevents them from becoming stiff.
• Walking not only benefits the musculoskeletal system but also helps to benefit the digestive system as it helps to regulate it, if you stick to a routine.
• Canine mental health is improved on walks, particularly if you explore new areas. This can prevent boredom.
• Improves your own personal health!

 

 

 

So what if you can’t get out for a walk?

Although walking your pooch is great, it is not the only option when it comes to exercising/stimulating your dog (and you don’t even need to be actively fit yourself!). Most of these exercises/games take the same amount of time or less than a 30 minute walk and you can achieve double the amount of stimulation, physical exertion and are great relationship builders. Bonus! Below are some ideas when it comes to building that relationship with your dog.

• Cavaletti Poles
• Wobble Cushions/boards
• Raised yoga blocks
• Games (Check out Ultimate Dogs for loads of fun games)
• Tricks
• Even Kongs/Slow feeding can be tiring!

 

 

Benefits

There are plenty of benefits associated with the above methods. Benefits that will stimulate your dog both physically and mentally and are easy to do! Key Benefits include:

• Developing fitness – Both strength and cardiovascular fitness can be increased. This can help to prevent future injuries from occurring.
• Enriching – These exercises/games are different and require the dog to concentrate and learn. This brings new experiences to the dog’s life that enriches them!
• Tiring – Even if they are short, your dog will be using a lot of energy when carrying out the exercises due to different muscles contracting. It also requires them to think, stimulating the brain (which is also tiring!)
• They are FUN! When you are both having fun, that’s when the bond will develop and your relationship will be stronger!

 

 

Many of these exercises are quick and easy to do but will require you to train your dog if they are not used to the games/exercises. This is simple enough to do by luring the dogs but you must ensure you stay safe and do not push your dog past its capabilities! You should also check with your Vet to ensure that your dog is able to carry out these movements.

Walking is a great form of exercise but may not be suitable for all dogs and people. Experiment with your daily exercise routine and see what results you can achieve!