Showing posts with label dog exercise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog exercise. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Fun Ways to Exercise with Your Pet

Fun Ways to Exercise with Your Pet Courtesy of the Life's Abundance Blog Post 4/1/19: 


Spring has a way of breathing energy back into your life. So why not take some of that kinetic potential and pour it into a fun activity? Perhaps even something you can do with your companion animal that could actually improve your health? 

Sure, you could go to the park and play fetch. Or play Frisbee. But if you're looking for something different but still a healthy activity, check out our fun ways to exercise with your pet below!

Pup Pilates

In the last 20 years, millions of Americans have tried pilates, the art of controlled movements. As an exercise regimen, pilates can help improve balance, tone muscles and bring practitioners a sense of peace. For a new twist, try doing exercises while holding your pets! While cradling your puppy or small dog (sorry Newfoundland moms and dads) while doing squats, lunges, lunges with side to side twists and bridge pulses with your little buddy on your belly. Of course, this is only something you should do if your dog (or cat) is calm enough. A wriggly pupper might throw off your sense of balance, so exercise some caution.

Agility Training

The great thing about agility training is that it not only provides exercise for both you and your dog, it can forge a closer connection between you, too! And it doesn't have to take place in a pre-approved or professional facility. As long as there's plenty of room to move around, you can set up your own little endurance challenges. If you have a small dog, a long hallway can afford sufficient space to set up an obstacle course (think plastic cups rather than pylons and wooden dowels on stacks of books as hurdles). The only limits are your imagination!


cat yoga
Yoga with Your Cat

We know what you're going to say after reading this headline ... "yoga to be kitten me!" But, no, we're completely serious. Just like with Pup Pilates, only docile cats should join you for resistance training. After the customary warm-up, some compatible moves you can do with your cat are the prayer position, the Lion King pose (remember when Simba was held aloft for the admiration of the Animal Kingdom? it's based on that), the Crescent Warrior (or in this case, Purrier) and Vinyasa to downward dog (yes, we do admit the irony of doing that pose with your cat). Even if you don't hold your cat, their close proximity can add both peaceful and playful moments to your practice. Some people just enjoy the happy purring of their kitties while working through their yoga routine. Who knows, that constant sound might even help you reach a higher state of peace!

Low-Resistance Strength Training

If you're more old school and would prefer to rekindle a weight-training routine, but you can't lift the same amounts you used to, strength training with your pets is an option! Before you laugh, just recall that it did wonders for Milo of Croton, a 6th Century Greek wrestler who lifted a calf every day until it was a fully grown bull (or so they say). But we're not shooting for anything remotely that superhuman. Try push ups with your cat on your back, the kitty press, puppy squats, lateral raises (again, think Lion King) and cat curls. And, of course, in between reps, be sure to take time for scritches, boops and copious pets.

So Many More Options ...

If none of these sound appealing because you're looking for something a little more strenuous or you just want to get away from your house, check out our video tutorials on all sorts of outdoorsy activities and exercising you can do with your dog, including jogging, biking, swimming, hiking and camping.

Do you have a special activity you like to do with your companion animals? Share your exercise tips in the comments section below!


Have you ever tried any of Life's Abundance Pet Products? Never recalled!


Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Dog Exercise Ideas in Winter

Yes for most of us it is winter which means cold. For those of us that don’t like this weather our idea of spending outside is less than desirable. This though can spill over to our canines who don’t get to go outside and exercise like in spring and summer

From the Trilogy/HealthyPetNet Blog Update:
“For optimum mental and physical health, many veterinarians recommend that dogs receive 45 minutes to an hour of daily, consistent exercise and enrichment, broken up into shorter intervals.”

“Even if we want the best for our canine companions, winter presents challenges that make it difficult to keep up a regular exercise routine for our dogs. If you are wondering how to keep your dog active, watch this video. In it, Dr. Sarah gives tips and advice from venturing outside to transforming your indoor space into a canine activity center.”

Dogs have the same energy in the summer as they do in the winter.

So what to do with all that pent up energy? Here are some awesome tips from Dr. Sarah:

Short periods of outdoor activity is great fun (weather permitting).
Remember a dog’s temperature can drop quickly when they stop exercising.
Try to keep your dog dry to lower risk of hypothermia.
Snow can cover the smells a dog uses to navigate so it is wise to keep your canine on a leash so he or she doesn’t lose his way. No leash mean your dog can chase an animal she or he may see. Many times if there is frozen pond, it can pose a dangerous situation to your dog.
Winter means darker earlier so try a reflective collar or one that blinks.
Ice, salt and sand can lead to irritated paws so wash your baby’s paws with warm water when he or she comes inside.
Try to train your dog to wear canine boots (start off with baby socks)

If outdoor fun is not an option – try indoor fun.
Clear a space and try a racing game!
Do you have an indoor track near you that will allow dogs?
If you are living in a small space – try bubbles. Dogs love to chase bubbles. Make sure to get the pet safe version).
Another great idea is find it! Get a favorite toy or treat and put it in plain sight and tell them to find it. Once they learn the game, you can make it progressively more difficult

Please watch the video for all the details!  This video will sure you give you ideas to help your cabin fever and your dog's pent up energy
"Courtesy of Life's Abundance"