One of the best ways to spend your free time with your dog while staying fit and spirited is to try something new and different. In fact, this could be a way to boost his energy and positivity levels. Besides this, your furry best friend can also be your fitness and life goal buddy. Here are some exercises and activities you can do with your pooch indoors and outside.
Create an Obstacle Course
By using wood and PVC pipe, you can build a few simple obstacle courses – alternatively, you can buy a simple kit. It is a healthy way to bond and participate in your dog’s exercise because you have to be running alongside him and providing directions. He can run through an open tunnel, jump over bars and weave through poles, among other things. Dog expert Dave Miller of Cozy Crates suggests installing a pet containment and tracking system for your dog’s safety and to keep track of his activity levels.
Try Treadmill Workouts
Working out at home can be easy with the right equipment. Dogs can exercise by using underwater or walking treadmills. You can find machines specifically made for your furry friend to use by heading online. Plus, be sure to keep watch over him for his safety.
Go Hiking Together
Not only can hiking be a great way to encourage your doggo to get some exercise, but it can also help you stay fit. There’s nothing quite like breathing in the fresh mountain air and appreciating the beauty of nature. For starters, find a canine-friendly hiking trail by doing a bit of research online. Secondly, pack the right gear such as water, food, a collapsible bowl, a canine first aid kit, and other necessary items.
Try Doggy Yoga
You and your pooch can take a doggy yoga class, otherwise known as Doga, together. Although her poses won’t always be as perfect as yours, you might be surprised that, with a bit of training, she might start doing poses like a pro. So put on your yoga pants and find a class online or locally to get started.
Use Stairs for Exercise
A simple way for him to exercise indoors is to walk or run up and down the stairs. To get him going, throw his favorite toy from the top of the stairs. After he picks it up, call him to bring it back up the stairs. This can be a smart but fun way to give him some vigorous exercise.
Take a Day Trip
One thing that excites most dogs is going for a car ride. You can take a day trip and go to his favorite places. For example, heading to the pet store to buy his favorite toy or a treat can brighten his day.
Go on Vacation
Taking her on a vacation with you can be a meaningful and rewarding way to spend quality time together. Take a walk down a snowy trail in Oregon, or view the iconic red rocks in Arizona together. You can find dog-friendly hotel chains, dog camps, parks, condos, B&Bs, restaurants, cabins and more by doing online research.
Tour the City
Beforehand, you can research pet-friendly venues to explore. Then, you can take her for a walking tour, shopping and maybe even a bite to eat. Having new experiences with her will likely strengthen the bond you share.
Indoor Tug of War
Whether Fido is large or small, he can play tug of war indoors. Giving him a tug toy can give him something to do at home if he’s bored. Tug toys come in various shapes and sizes. You can give him one for a holiday or for any reason at all.
Take Her Swimming
If you love swimming, you need to share your love of being in the water with your canine. Despite the fact that not all canines like swimming, numerous breeds adore it. You can start by purchasing a dog-friendly pool. Once he gets used to swimming, you can search for canine-friendly beaches, lakes, private swimming pools and other areas near you.
Treat Hide-and-Seek
This indoor activity can be best for medium and small dogs, especially if you don’t have much space in the house. Firstly, show her where you’re going to hide the treat beforehand. Then, hide it in a different room, and have her go find it. Moreover, be sure to choose a strongly scented treat.
Do Freestyle Dancing
With training, you can teach your dog to dance. You can watch free YouTube videos or read blogs to educate yourself. Before long, you’ll be able to turn up the music and watch him show off his amazing talent.
Make Him Famous
Creating a fan page for your pet can be easy. To get started, simply post a nice profile photo of him or her and write a short bio. There are countless dog-lovers out there who are just waiting to follow a cute dog on social media. Making your pooch famous can even make both of your lives more exciting.
Paint His Portrait
While you might not be a professional artist, you can draw or paint your canine’s portrait in style. You can get creative and use props like various hats, scarves, leis and other colorful items. Your portrait of him can be serious, humorous or whatever you want it to be.
Teach Him a Trick
Since dogs love a challenge, consider teaching her a trick or two. For instance, you can teach her easy tricks such as shaking hands, speaking, rolling over, spinning and many others. After she’s mastered these, you can move on to more difficult ones like fetching, standing tall and army crawling.
Take Photos
You can either hire a professional photographer or take photographs yourself. Try using treats or toys to help him stay interested. Afterward, you can get your photos framed and hang them on a wall, send them to friends and family as cute holiday cards or post them on social media for the world to see.
Celebrate Halloween
If you’ve ever seen dogs in Halloween costumes in photos on social media or in television commercials, you might have wanted to dress yours up too. You can do this by making him a unique costume, or if you’d rather not sew, try buying a handmade one at Etsy or somewhere else. Of course, you can even bake some pet-safe Halloween treats for your furry friend to enjoy.
Having a pet means you can spend plenty of time doing activities you both enjoy. Additionally, you and your dog can get some exercise more often. Indeed, when he’s healthy and happy, you can be in better shape and spirits too.
