How to exercise with your dog
Whenever we are working out at home, our dogs always want to join in.
So we’ve put together a perfect workout for you and your dog to get your pooch exercising, learning and bonding with their favourite human while you get a good workout (and a good laugh) at the same time. Try it for yourself and let us know how it goes for you!
Take the stairs
If you have stairs in your building, a simple but very effective way for both you and your dog to get fit is to run up and down the stairs. Your dog will follow you and probably get far too excited.
Every two or three goes, take a rest, get your dog to calm down and reward them for being a great sport.
Lunge and love
Stand facing your dog with your feet shoulder width apart. Step one foot back into a reverse lunge and dip your back knee as far as you can to deepen the stretch.
When you’re in this position, ask your dog for their paw and shake on it. Step back up and repeat 10 times on each side.
Work those forepaws
Encourage your dog to dig in the garden by burying their favourite treat just under the surface of the soil. While they dig, lay beside them and you do as many push-ups as you can or a plank. Once they’ve found the treat, you can stop to rest and start again. This is a great arm workout for both of you!
Jump for joy
First, crouch down on the floor with your feet together and give your good boy a good fuss. Next, jump up into a star with your feet apart and your arms in a wide V.
To finish the movement, jump back down to your starting position, give him another pet, and repeat 10 times (or until you’re out of breath).
Squat and seek
Stand with your legs wide apart and hold up your dog’s favourite teddy. Squat down and pass the toy behind your leg from one hand to the other. Pop back up to show it to your dog in front of you.
Repeat 10 times, swapping which leg you pass the teddy under each time.
Your pup will be doing their own little squats with you as they follow the toy around! Just make sure you give them it at the end or they won’t want to play this game again.
Roll over
Your dog will recognise this one. Lie on your front with your legs and arms raised up off the floor. Roll over onto your back and lift your knees into a 90-degree angle with your arms above your head.
Repeat for five times in each direction. If your dog knows this trick, they may join in. If they don’t, this is a great way to teach them a new trick with a treat in your hand whilst you work on your core strength.
The doggy curl
This one is simple. Pick up your dog in your arms under its belly and lift it up towards the ceiling so that you’re working those biceps.
Try and get a few reps in – this could be very easy or extremely difficult depending on how heavy your dog is and how happy they are to take part in your exercise!
Twist and treat
Sit with your knees bent and your feet planted on the floor, ready to do a Russian twist. Hold a toy and offer it to your doggie.
Twist to each side, revolving from your waist, and taking your arms and toy with you so that your doggie is running from side to side around you. Repeat this 10 times.
This is a great workout for your abs, particularly if you raise your feet off the floor, and some cardio for them!
