Dogs who are active tend to live longer and happier lives, and with the warmer weather and longer days, it is the perfect time for you and your dog to spring into fitness this Canine Fitness Month! Here are 10 activities to help you kick off a healthier, more active lifestyle with your pup!
- Go for a walk around town! One of the easiest ways to add some exercise into your dog’s day is going for a walk around the neighborhood. Walking your dog not only provides them an opportunity to burn off excess energy, but the sights, sounds, and most importantly, smells can provide your dog with much-needed mental stimulation. Dogs essentially see the world through their noses, so they’ll love it when you let them sniff a little during your walk. Don’t forget to use the WoofTrax app while you walk to help raise money for the dogs at Roice-Hurst Humane Society!
- Play fetch! Not really feeling up for a walk? Play a game of fetch! While not every dog loves to play fetch, for the dogs that do it is a great way to give your dog his daily exercise if you aren’t feeling up for a walk. Playing fetch with your dog can burn off more energy in a shorter amount of time compared to a leisurely walk and is a great way to bond with your dog. It’s important to pay attention to your dog and watch for signs he’s tiring out, like excessive panting. Some dogs will fetch the ball obsessively, so for these dogs, you’ll want to make sure they aren’t overdoing it.
- Play hide and seek! If the “April showers” have you staying inside more, playing a game of hide and seek with your dog can be great fun and offer them relief from boredom when spending more time inside. Hide your dog’s favorite toys or treats around the house and let them use their nose to find them! Start with easy hiding places until your dog starts to get the idea of the game, then make each round more challenging as they get better at finding things. This can be played in the yard too!
- Build an obstacle course! Obstacle courses are a fun way to switch up your dog’s exercise routine, and you don’t need any fancy, expensive equipment if you don’t have access to an agility course. Hill’s Pet has a great article on Making a DIY Dog Obstacle Course to get started!
- Go for a swim! If your dog knows how to swim and enjoys it, swimming can be an excellent way to have a little fun and cool off on those warmer days! Surprisingly, not all dogs can swim right off the bat, and not all dogs enjoy the water. If you are just introducing your dog to swimming, play it safe and keep him on a leash while he learns to swim and start off where it is shallow. Don’t force your dog into the water if he doesn’t want to go, but don’t be afraid to get in with them and have some fun together! When swimming in natural bodies of water like lakes and rivers, be sure to steer clear of fast-moving water (especially during runoff season) and stay far away from water with algae as certain types of algae can be highly toxic. It’s never a bad idea to get your dog a life jacket, either!
- Take a hike! Colorado offers thousands of miles of trails to hike, from beginner to advanced skill levels! Hiking is an amazing way to explore the world with your dog. Not sure where to start? The state has put together an interactive map of many of Colorado’s trails using CO TREX which tells you all sorts of useful information about the trail, including if dogs are allowed!
- Practice obedience skills! There is no better time than today to teach your dog a new trick, or even brush up on some old ones! Practicing obedience skills not only gives your dog something to do while you’re training him, but it also is going to pay off in the long run when you go on other adventures together! Working on obedience skills can lead to more enjoyable walks in the future and an all-around better dog! Clicker training is an amazing way to train your dog, and not to mention loads of fun! Check out our blog post from January for tips on how to get started with clicker training.
- Sign up for a class or sport! Signing up for a class or sport with your dog can be great fun for both you and your pup. Depending on what your dog loves to do or what you think he’d be good at, there are many options when it comes to dog sports. Herding, agility, obedience, nosework, dock diving, canine freestyle, and disc are a few options your dog might enjoy. If you think these activities are only for people who want to compete, it’s simply not true! A local positive-reinforcement dog trainer can help you get started on many of these activities.
- Get your dog a backpack! Often one of the most overlooked ways you can add additional exercise to your dog is by getting them their own backpack to wear during your walks or hikes. Giving your dog his own backpack to carry his things on a walk or hike gives him a job to focus on and helps burn off more energy than if he wasn’t wearing a backpack. As with anything you add to your dog’s exercise routine, start off by checking with your vet about how much weight your dog can safely carry in his pack. Start slowly with an empty backpack and a short walk, then build according to his health and fitness level. Most dogs should be able to carry 10% of their body weight in a backpack depending on their individual fitness level. You’ll want to make sure your dog’s backpack fits properly, has adequate padding, and isn’t too heavy or unevenly weighted. Keep in mind that wearing a backpack can double the amount of energy your dog burns, making a 15 minute walk feel like a 30 minute walk. Short walks with light backpacks will give your dog time to build his muscles and fitness properly.
- Schedule a playdate! If your dog is an only-dog who loves to play with other dogs, schedule a puppy playdate! Dogs are social animals and many dogs love to play with another dog, though not all enjoy the company of other canines. It is important to properly introduce any new doggy friends before giving them the run of the yard to set them up for the best chance at creating a friendship that lasts. Not sure how to properly introduce a dog to another dog? We have some awesome tips to help set you off on the right paw for dog to dog introductions!