Need some motivation to exercise? Grab a leash, get outside and work out with your pooch. Whether you’re starting an exercise program or needing some variety in your routine, exercising with your dog is good for you and your pet, and the time together strengthens the dog-human bond.
“Pets are such great de-stressors for us,” says Tamara Quintero, certified personal fitness trainer at Galter LifeCenter, and owner of a mixed-breed pup named Lainie.
Having a friend to work out with can be a huge motivator, and nearly all dogs love to get out and romp, making them great exercise partners, Quintero says.
Quintero teaches Galter’s dog-people exercise class taking place this summer. “Exercising with your dog gives quality time to both of you, and we’re hoping this’ll get owners to look at their lifestyles and get moving.”
There are plenty of activities incorporating your dog and exercise that can be done in a class or on your own. The two of you can warm up with a slow, medium or brisk walk around a park. With the dog standing beside you, do squats, lunges and stretches.
Quintero takes her class to the dog park area in River Park, across from Galter, where owners can do dips, push-ups and stretching while dogs play with their canine friends. Quintero also leads people and their pets in a set of long, side-by-side strides, as well as intervals and circuits around cones, trees and park benches, starting at a walking pace and working up to a jog, for those who can do it.
You can do these exercises on your own with your dog in any park. If you’re near a baseball field, the two of you could walk, jog or run around the baseball diamond. Your dog may also enjoy and benefit from agility exercises, such as if you hold a hula hoop and have your dog jump through, over or under it.
Just like humans, dogs need a warm-up and cool-down before and after exercise and access to water, says Quintero. And depending on their size, breed, age and health, dogs have different exercise needs, according to Dr. Susan Nelson, Kansas State University veterinarian and an expert on canine physical activity.
In a set of guidelines released by Kansas State, Nelson offers the following rules and tips for exercising with your pooch:
Be aware of the following when exercising with your dog, says Nelson:
Once you’re done exercising, Quintero suggests finding a cool place for you and your dog to sit and hydrate, and you can check your dog’s paws for cuts or wear.
Comments (1)
These are some great tips! I never thought about a warm up or cool down time for my dog!
July 21, 2010 - 10:47am