5 Ways To Workout With Your Dog

ByCaitlin

Finding a workout partner can be so tough sometimes! So many of my friends always had schedules that were the complete opposite of mine, making it hard to meet up at times that worked best for both of us. However, little did I realize that the best workout partner there is, is always right next to me: my dog Diesel! 

There are so many fun ways to exercise your dog that not only give you a great workout, but also provide a bonding experience for you and your favorite furry friend! Below are five ways to workout with your dog that you can do just about anywhere!

*Please note that every dog is different and may have different medical needs than others. If you are unsure if your dog can participate in any of the examples below, please consult with your veterinarian*

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1. Running/Walking

Let’s start with the easier of the two, walking. Taking your dog for a walk is an easy, low-impact workout you can do that can yield great results! 

Every morning Diesel and I go for a walk around what I call the “loop” at our apartment complex. I haven’t tracked it with my FitBit yet, but it looks like every lap would equal either .25 of a mile or a little more than that. Diesel loves it because he gets to see and meet new friends, get a ton of sniffs in (because, priorities ha!) and get a great workout. Usually after 2-3 laps he’s ready to go inside. 

Running with your dog can also be super fun! I recommend this exercise if you have a high-energy dog. If you’re curious about what dog breeds require the most exercise, I highly recommend checking out this article from AKC! 

Walking your dog or taking your dog on a run can burn tons of calories and be a fun experience for both of you! Don’t be afraid to switch it up too. Try changing your location like the beach or a nature trail that is dog-friendly, or perhaps invite one of your friends and their dogs to make it a fun group outing! The more the merrier! 

One of my favorite websites to look up dog-friendly locations is BringFido.com. To find dog friendly activities near you including beaches, nature trails and more, click here!

**Please note that flat-faced breeds such as Pugs or Boston Terriers cannot handle long distances because they have a harder time breathing. Please stick to short distances and consult your veterinarian for recommendations**

2. Doga (Yoga with Your Dog)

I have never actually experienced Dog Yoga before but it is totally at the top of my list of cool things to do with my dog this year! Petco describes Doga as “a yoga session in which your pet dog participates in meditating, stretching, massaging, relaxing, balancing and more with you!”

If you are wanting to try a doga class near you, I recommend checking out the activities section under BringFido.com once again or by searching doga classes near me in Google! 

If you’re located in Florida like me, these two options come up within BringFido’s search results:

BKS Yoga Studio DOGA: Naples, Florida

Green Market: Fort Myers, Florida

Also, before we move on to the next exercise, I have to share where I got the cute dog themed graphic tee in the photo above! This super cute Etsy Shop called All You Need Is Dogs has the best selection of graphic tees in short and long sleeve length and hoodies that come in so many different colors and cute dog mom/dog life sayings! Plus, the owner Megan is a total sweetheart! I mean, how cute would it look if you showed up to a DOGA class wearing this cute graphic tee with your furry friend right by your side? 🙂 

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Don’t forget to keep your dog hydrated throughout any of these exercises! I highly recommend bringing along the Highwave Dog Water Bottle with you! 

Click here to read my full review of the Highwave Growler Dog Water Bottle. 

3. Cycling

I have actually always wanted to try this! My biggest concerns have always been either Diesel getting distracted by a squirrel or a friend and pulling me off the bike or Diesel stopping to smell a “really good smell” and everything coming to a halt, also resulting in me falling off the bike. Ha! 

However, cycling with your dog is a great way to exercise your dog! After reading a cool article from Health, I did discover a cool product that I definitely want to try. Springer created a bike attachment product that absorbs up to 90% of the force of a dog’s unexpected tugs! This product has 239 ratings on Amazon and four stars! For more details on this product, including safety tips, please read through the item’s description!

Whenever I test this I’ll definitely be wearing a helmet, long sleeve clothing and some knee pads. You know, just in case haha!

4. Soccer

Years ago, I used to play soccer with my dog Aiden! Aiden is a Boxer/German Shepherd mix who is always full of energy. I mean his legs are basically springs ha! It was also so cute watching him kick the ball around with his feet and move it with his nose. 

According to Wag, some of the top breeds that love to place soccer are: 

  • Labrador Retriever
  • Golden Retriever
  • Shetland Sheepdog
  • Border Collie
  • English Springer Spaniel

To see if your breed is on the list, click here to read the full article. 

I tried playing soccer with Diesel once, but he basically said “why would I push this around when I has a big enough mouth to pick up the whole thing?” Ha! If you have a dog who would think the same way as Diesel, never fear, I have found a solution! If you saw Diesel’s funny Instagram post featuring his Egg Plant Rubber Dog Toy then you might be somewhat familiar with the dog brand Planet Dog. They have created a tough dog toy that looks like a soccer ball! Their Orbee-Tuff Soccer Ball dog toy is rated 4 out of 5 chompers on their durability scale and said to be teeth resistant.  If you’ve ever tried this toy, please let me know in the comments below! I’d love to hear how it stood up against your power chewer pupper!

5. Go For A Hike

This last fun way to exercise your dog is also at the top of my list for 2020! Chandler and I want to take Diesel on his first camping trip this year and with that can come some super fun hiking opportunities! Hiking is a great way to experience the fresh outdoors, walk through different terrain that you normally wouldn’t experience, and of course give your dog the best smelling experience of their life. Ha!

The closest Diesel has ever really come to that was the fun nature trail at Dogwood Park, the largest dog park in Jacksonville, Florida. Which, if you haven’t gone there, I highly recommend it. It’s such a cool place! 

If you are new to hiking with your dog like I am, there are many things to know prior to going. Pet organizations such as AKC developed helpful articles to understand hiking etiquette, safety procedures, training tips and more. 

If you are interested in hiking with your dog, I highly recommend reading AKC’s full article about tips for hiking with your dog. 

That completes today’s list of five ways you can workout with your dog! Do you do something that isn’t on the list above? I’d love to know! Please share your favorite ways to exercise your dog in the comments below!

Namaste’ Home With My Dog Tee: All You Need Is Dogs

Photography: Casie Marie Photography