Walking your dog may not be your favorite to-do to check off every day, and it doesn’t always get the job done. While some dog and owner duos are perfectly content with getting their steps in, others need to up the ante to meet both physical, mental, and personal needs.
Luckily, there are plenty of other ways to keep your dog (and yourself) active without needing to invent a completely new sport. As long as your dog is healthy and willing, these can be a great way to strengthen not only your bodies but your bond.
1. Jogging and Hiking
Sometimes all you need to do is change one detail about your walk. For some dogs this might mean slowing down and stopping to smell every lingering odor, but others want to travel as far as they can in the allotted time each day.
Jogging is great if you and your dog can match pace and keep that pace for similar amounts of time. You should have a good loose-leash foundation to prevent any tripping disasters, but other than that there are practically no hurdles.
Hiking with your dog may require more foresight and consideration. You need to have a better understanding of the intricacies of your environment, but it can also introduce plenty of new adventures (and smells) for the two of you to explore.
2. Bikejoring or Dog Scootering
Bikejoring and dog scootering are similar to sledding, but without the snow. And the sled.
Instead, a single dog (or sometimes a pair) is fitted with specific harnesses that are then carefully connected to a bike or scooter. Just like with the sled, they pull the vessel along a specific path, listening for verbal directions, and get plenty of physical and mental exercise along the way.
This is something you can get into leisurely, but it’s also a popular competitive sport. Teams compete in either direct races (whoever crosses the finish line first) or timed races (fastest times). Competing can add another layer to the joys of exercise for those with cutthroat spirits.
3. Canicross
Canicross is similar to bikejoring and dog scootering. It involves a specialized harness system and gives your dog the opportunity to exercise their pulling instincts. Originally an offseason training regimen for mushing dogs in Europe, it’s now a popular way for dedicated teams to stretch their legs and test their stamina.
Canine cross-country events vary in distance but favor the longer side of things. They also require a good relationship between dog and owner, as your companion should be able to follow verbal directions and trust your judgement.
4. Dog Sports
There are plenty of dog sports to keep your dog active, including:
- Agility
- Earthdog trials
- Obedience trials
- Tracking
- Flyball
- Fast CAT
These sports help them develop a specific set of skills to accomplish a goal much more narrow than “walk from Point A to Point B”, and they’re often great to appease the undesirable instincts of working breeds living a pampered pooch lifestyle.
They also require plenty of dedication on your part. You’re out there running around, sweating, and burning calories just as much as your dog is, even if it doesn’t seem like it. Dog sports can easily become your next favorite hobby or even help your dog cover their own expenses.
5. Dancing
Dog dancing is a unique Venn diagram of interests. There’s the inherent elegance and flow of dancing, the emphasis on a good bond and animal handling instincts between you and your dog, and the understanding of the physical demands.
Canine freestyle relies on obedience and behavior to carefully choreograph unique and captivating routines. Moves can be as simple as laying still for a few beats or as complex as jumping through hoops or perching on your back. There’s plenty of room for creativity and imagination, as well as a physical and mental demand for you and your companion.
6. Dog Yoga
There are a few different variations of dog yoga.
In the first, both you and your dog are attempting different yoga poses. In the second, your dog just happens to be around every time you roll out your yoga mat.
Dog yoga just adds onto the benefits of regular yoga. It’s great for your physical health, encouraging mindfulness and relaxation. It’s also a scalable way for you to bond with your dog while focusing on your fitness goals.
Just keep in mind that not every dog is well suited for yoga. If they’re anything like mine, something about the task seems to erase all reason and they might spend the session trying to topple you over.
7. Water Activities: Paddleboarding and Swimming
Finally, water sports are a great way to introduce a unique landscape to your dog. Not every dog likes water, but most don’t have to worry about coming into contact with it on a daily basis.
Even just visiting your local pet-friendly water feature can bring a whole new world of experiences to your pet. Swimming is also a great low-impact way to exercise, often providing the benefits of running without the stress on your joints or muscles.
Of course, you must be mindful of water safety rules when you’re out swimming or kayaking or even fly balling, but this just might be your dog’s (and your) new favorite place to be.
