Tips For Keeping Your Dog Active & Fit

Keeping your dog active and fit is essential to their health and longevity. The healthier your dog is, the more time you will get to spend with your dog on this journey we call life. Not only that, but keeping your dog active and fit means you, too, are getting active and fit. You’re creating an opportunity to further bond with your dog through fitness and health improvements.

There are two areas of focus to consider when it comes to getting your dog fit and maintaining their health:

How to Keep Your Dog Active & Fit With Outdoor Activities

There are different activities you and your dog can do to keep them active and fit, or ease them into getting active and fit! Try a combination of options or knock them all out if time and energy permits.

Regular Walk 

With a dog collar or dog harness and a leash - whatever your preference is - set time out each day to take your dog for a walk. This should already be a practice that is integrated in your daily schedule. If not, try and work it into your schedule. 

Resistance Walks + Runs

These types of walks rely on surfaces that make it more difficult to run or walk. For example, if you go to the beach with your dog, the sand is perfect for resistance walks and runs. 

Obstacle Courses

At a dog park, designated obstacle course, or even your own backyard, utilize different things (boxes, wood panels, broomsticks, etc.) to create an obstacle course complete with hurdles to intensify the workout for your dog. This is an exciting and playful way to get the fitness minutes in for your dog!

Play Fetch

Throw your dog’s favorite toy for them to run after and retrieve. If you want to up the ante a bit, make it a game between the two of you. When you throw it, you run after it too and see who gets to it first and repeat.

How to Keep Your Dog Active & Fit With At-Home (Indoor) Activities

Use the Stairs

With a dog collar or dog harness and a leash - whatever your preference is - guide your dog up and down the stairs to build up their leg muscles.

Arrange Playdates

Activity with other dogs helps your dog’s need to be active but it also helps for their mental health as dogs are social creatures and need social and emotional stimulation. 

Introduce Dog Toys that Inspire Activity

There are dog toys that do more than just squeak or make other sounds. Dog toys that double as treat holders are great sources of activity and stimulation as it rewards for the physical activity your dog requires in order to retrieve the treat.

This is just a sampling of tips and information we offer at Joyride Harness. You can find more tips and tricks and how-tos for caring for your dog on our blog at this section. Feel free to leave a comment with tips you’re looking for!