Regular exercise is important to help keep your dog’s heart, lungs, joints, and muscles healthy. It also helps their minds stay healthy and happy and can alleviate behavioral problems. With the weather warming, it’s never been a better time to get out there and get moving! Exercising doesn’t mean you have to go running with your dog every day; there are many fun ways to get exercise while enjoying quality bonding time with your dog.
- Just simply walk, run or even hike with your doggie. – Try something new with your pet, go on a different walk or hike than normal. Even make it a group activity and invite others with pets as well.
- Let’s play “Fetch”- Many dogs like to retrieve objects and its great exercise for them! Get your dog a lightweight, soft object for him to fetch, these are safest in that they will minimize and hopefully prevent damage to your dog’s mouth and teeth. Allowing your dog to jump can cause soft tissue injuries, so keep your tosses low to the ground.
- Become involved in dog sports- Most dogs exceed and do excellent in agility or flyball, which is extremely popular. They provide a way for dogs to expend energy while also forming a closer bond with their people, since the two of you work together. The following link has some services offered here in the springs. Agility training
- Get where the dogs are!- Doggie parks are wonderful ways to socialize and play with other dogs. Given that your pet is healthy and current on vaccines, give a dog park near you a try. Click here for a list of parks in Colorado Springs.
- How about a day at the lake?- Many dogs enjoy swimming or splashing about in the water, but not all dogs are natural swimmers, so don’t force your dog to go in if he’s scared.
ADDITIONAL EXERCISE TIPS:
- Start slowly, especially if your dog isn’t accustomed to exercise.
- Take into consideration your dog’s physical abilities and preferences. Senior dogs or dogs with health issues may not be capable of lots of strenous exercise. And some dogs simply don’t enjoy water. Keep it fun and your dog will look forward to his next outing.
- Don’t exercise your dog in weather conditions that are too hot or too cold. Dogs with pushed-in faces, such as Pekingese or Pugs, are especially susceptible to heat stroke and humidity. In cold temperatures you may need to provide your dog with boots and a sweater to keep him warm. Dogs get cold too -even with fur coats!
- Try to maintain a regular exercise routine. Dogs that are mostly sedentary during the week, and then let out for a wild run on the weekend, for instance, are more prone to injury because their bodies are unaccustomed to the exercise.
- Always have plenty of fresh water on hand to keep your dog hydrated.
So get out there, have fun and most importantly do not forget a healthy diet is just as key to exercise.









