Get Your Dog Moving with Dog Work Out Activities

Regular exercise is essential for dogs, with a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity daily recommended for most breeds.

Dogs need physical and mental stimulation, and exercising with your dog can strengthen your bond and burn off excess energy.

You can start with short walks and gradually increase the duration and intensity to suit your dog's age, health, and fitness level.

There are several types of dog workouts that can help improve your furry friend's physical and mental health.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a great way to get your dog moving, involving short bursts of intense exercise followed by periods of rest. This type of workout is perfect for dogs that have a lot of energy.

Agility training is another fun and effective way to exercise your dog, which involves navigating obstacles such as tunnels, jumps, and weave poles. It's great for dogs that are agile and love to run.

Walking your dog is a low-impact workout that's perfect for older dogs or those with joint issues. It's also a great way to spend quality time with your dog and explore new places.

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Working dogs thrive on longer, steady exercise, making 1-2 hours of moderate activity ideal for them. They can do well hiking in any terrain.

High-intensity exercise should be avoided for these breeds. Working dogs require mental stimulation just as much as physical, so activities like bikejorning, search and rescue, or agility can help keep them busy and happy.

One to two hours of moderate activity is the sweet spot for working dogs. This can be achieved through hiking in various terrains.

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Herding dogs are happiest when they have a job to do, so they need regular exercise to keep them engaged and satisfied.

An hour or two of high-intensity exercise is ideal for these breeds, making sports like agility, dock diving, frisbee, or fetch fantastic options.

Playdates with dogs of similar exercise needs are also a great way to keep herding dogs active and entertained.

Puzzles and training can help provide mental exercise for these pups, and stuffed toys can be a fun way to keep them engaged indoors.

Herding dogs are natural athletes and need regular physical activity to stay happy and healthy.

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Small dogs can exercise anywhere, but they need human interaction more than exploration. They can get over-exercised or overheated easily, so keep an eye out for tell-tale signs.

Large breeds, on the other hand, don't require much exercise, but they need a big enough space to move around. They're prone to hip and joint issues, so avoid overexertion.

Giant breed dogs, like Great Danes, can get enough exercise with short walks and swimming. A half-hour to 45 minutes daily is plenty for these gentle giants.

Sighthounds are built for speed, and they need exercise that matches their high-energy lifestyle. They thrive on short intervals at high speeds.

One hour to one-and-a-half-hour of exercise is ideal for sighthounds, but it's essential to break it up into shorter bursts of high-intensity work. This could be as simple as a game of fetch or a short sprint around the yard.

Sighthounds require a mix of different exercises throughout the day, including regular moderate-intensity walks. These walks should be a regular part of their routine, not a one-time event.

Games of fetch, puzzle toys, agility courses, and playdates with other dogs are great ways to give your sighthound a mental AND physical workout.

Small dogs are more likely to crave human interaction than exploration. They can be exercised inside with games of fetch and hide-and-seek.

Dogs in this category can be easily over-exercised or overheated due to their small size. A half-hour to an hour of moderate exercise should suffice.

Small breeds include Chihuahuas, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Maltese, Miniature Pinschers, Pomeranians, Havanese, and Miniature Schnauzers.

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Giant dogs are a special case when it comes to exercise needs. They don't require a lot of physical activity, but they do need space to move around.

Large breeds like Alaskan Malamutes, English Mastiffs, and Great Danes are perfect examples. They're happy with short walks and swimming, and a half-hour to 45 minutes of daily exercise is plenty.

Giant breeds like Cane Corso and Saint Bernards are also known to enjoy swimming and short walks. Just remember to avoid overexertion, as hip and joint issues are common in these dogs.

If you have a Great Dane, you know they love to move around, but they don't need to run marathons. A daily half-hour to 45 minutes of exercise is all they need.

If you're looking to get a workout in with your furry friend indoors, there are a few exercises you can try. Doggo-Resisted Pushups are a great option, and all you need is a pup willing to sit on your back for some extra resistance.

To get your core involved, try a plank, but be prepared for some lick attacks if your pup isn't in the mood.

If you're stuck inside with your furry friend, try using a rope for the hammer curl position to make it more effective. This exercise will likely be limited by your partner's interest in hanging onto the toy.

You can also try using a broomstick for traditional resistance, especially if your pup is more focused on ripping the toy away from you. This can make it easier to get through the exercise.

If you're looking for a way to challenge your core, try holding your dog in a low position, like the Zercher squat, while you do lunges. This will give you a unilateral challenge that's great for your glutes.

Don't be discouraged if your pup wriggles away during the Zercher squat – just push through as many reps as possible with perfect depth and posture.

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Yoga is a great way to stay active and relaxed indoors. Doga, or doggy yoga, is a fun twist on traditional yoga that's perfect for you and your furry friend to enjoy together.

You can try two different versions of Doga, one for small dogs and one for big dogs. For a small dog, position your back against the wall and lower yourself so your knees are at a 90-degree angle from the floor and above your heels.

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Water-based workouts are a great way to give your dog a fun and effective exercise session. A 10-minute swim is equivalent to an hour of walking, providing resistance to the whole body, especially the front end.

This makes swimming an excellent option for dogs that need to work on their front end strength. Plus, the water supports their body, taking the weight off their joints and bones, making it a low-impact activity suitable for older dogs and dogs with an injury.

Swimming is a great option for dogs with joint issues, as it reduces the impact on their joints. You can also try walking or running on sand or in shallow water, which provides another type of resistance not achieved by normal walking.

This low-impact activity is also great for dogs with joint issues, as it reduces the impact on their joints. Just 10 minutes of this is more than sufficient to give your dog a good workout.

Here are some water-based workout options to consider:

These water-based workouts are a great way to keep your dog active and engaged, while also providing a fun and challenging experience for them.

Strength building exercises are essential for your dog's overall health and well-being. They help prevent injury, slow down age-related weakness, and even reverse muscle wastage that leads to arthritis.

Exercising your dog regularly can also provide mental stimulation and enrichment, preventing behavior issues like jumping up, digging, chewing, and nuisance barking.

Some suggested exercises and activities that will build muscle and develop strength for your dog include weight pulling, where you use a proper weight pulling harness to distribute the weight evenly over your dog's body. Start with a light amount of weight and have your dog drag the weight 30 to 60 feet, giving them a rest for 2 minutes and repeating.

Weight pulling can be done in various forms, including pulling a person on skates or a skateboard, pulling a sled or scooter, and even using a parachute that attaches to a weight vest.

To incorporate strength building exercises into your dog's routine, it's essential to start with a low number of repetitions and resistance, increasing over time as your dog becomes more conditioned to the activity. A warm-up is also crucial, consisting of 5-10 minutes of walking or a 5-minute game of fetch to increase the heart rate and get the blood flowing to the muscles.

Here are some specific exercises you can try with your dog:

Remember to do a warm-up before starting these exercises and to increase the difficulty level gradually to avoid injury.

Outdoor activities are a great way to get your dog's exercise needs met. Running on a trail is a great option, as it's easier on your dog's sensitive paws compared to running on a hard surface.

For a more varied workout, consider building an obstacle course in your yard. This can be as simple as scattering items for your dog to run around and jump over, or getting creative with hula hoops and other fun obstacles.

Sporting dog breeds, such as Pointers, Setters, and Retrievers, were bred for long days of work and need at least 1-2 hours of activity a day. They thrive on activities like hiking, swimming, and long walks, and would love to join you on a trail run or obstacle course adventure.

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Trail running is a fantastic way to get some exercise and fresh air with your furry friend by your side. Running on a trail is better for both people and dogs, making people train harder on uneven terrain and being easier on your dog's sensitive paws.

Sporting dogs, such as Pointers, Setters, Spaniels, and Retrievers, were bred for long days of work and are built for long days in the wilderness. They have plenty of energy to burn and would thrive on a trail run.

If you have a Sporting Dog, you know they're highly active and intelligent, so they'd love the challenge of a trail run. They'd be best suited with 1-2 hours of activity a day and would feel right at home hiking, swimming, or on a long walk.

You can incorporate trail running into your daily routine by going for a trail run with your dog after a casual walk. This will give you both a fun and challenging workout.

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Stair climbing is a great way to get some exercise outdoors, but it's essential to consider the physical demands it puts on your dog.

Going up the stairs requires your dog to use their muscles to propel forward, which can be excellent for their overall fitness.

Coming down the stairs, on the other hand, requires balance and controlled core stability, which can be a fun challenge for dogs to master.

Stair climbing may not be suitable for all dogs, especially those with back-related problems or breeds prone to back issues, such as Dachshunds.