4 Fun Ways To Get Outdoors & Exercise With Your Dog

We all know how important it is to exercise and also how important it is to take your dog out for a walk each day, so why not combine the two together. We have put a list together of many fun ways that you can exercise with your dog.

Hiking

Hiking is a great way of exercising with your dog, especially if you have a keen 4 legged explorer. Something to bear in mind before taking your dog on a hike is to plan the route to avoid bumping into any animals that your dog may get aggravated by or approaching any steep hills that you and your dog may not be able to climb.

Once you have planned your route, if you know that the terrain is going to be a bit bumpy and varied throughout the hike it might be worth investing in some boots for your 4-legged companion. Just like you would buy yourself a pair of hiking boots, it’s important to look after your dog’s paws if you are going to be taking them along with you as well.

Once you have planned your route, if you know that the terrain is going to be a bit bumpy and varied throughout the hike it might be worth investing in some boots for your 4-legged companion. Just like you would buy yourself a pair of hiking boots, it’s important to look after your dog’s paws if you are going to be taking them along with you as well.

 Swimming

A fun exercise for people of all ages to do with their dog is swimming. If you’re going to a dog-friendly beach in the summer this is a great reason to take your dog along with you and take them swimming in the sea. As well as you getting to cool off in the sea when the heat gets too much in the summer, not only will this cool your dog down in the warm weather, it's also a great way of helping them to recover from injuries or help those dogs that have joint problems.

A couple of things that you might find helpful when you take your dog swimming is a dog buoyancy aid if you aren't sure how comfortable your dog is with the water, this will help your dog float in the water and become more confident swimming. If you’re unsure whether your dog needs a buoyancy aid, then it's best to air on the side of caution and invest in one.

For when you have finished swimming with your dog nobody will want to be sat next to a soaking wet smelly dog, so why not grab a microfibre dog towel. The Red Original quick-drying microfibre dog towel includes anti-odour and anti-bacterial properties meaning that once you have dried off your dog you're not left with a damp smelly towel. As well as this, it helps dry your dog quicker than any normal towel and can also be rolled up and compacted to fit into the smallest of spaces and even comes with a strap to stop it unrolling, or if you want to hang it up to dry.

 Running

If running is your choice of exercise, why not take your dog along with you. By doing this you will get two things done at once, not only will you be able to do your daily exercise but you will also be able to exercise your dog as well. If you have an energetic dog this is a great way for them to let off steam, why not take a ball with you and stop off in the park for a short rest for you and a more intensive run around for your dog. Just make sure to check that your dog has the ability for this type exercise before your head out for first run!

For the first couple of outings it would be advisable to start off gradually with a light jog with them and slowly speeding up into a run to ensure that your dog does not experience any injuries or put them off heading out with you.

Paddleboarding

Does your dog love the water? If you enjoy going paddleboarding to unwind from a stressful day at work, then why not take your dog along with you next time.

If you are a confident paddleboarder then it's worth mentioning that if you are taking your dog for the first time to start off on your knees in order to have a lower centre of gravity. This will provide a more stable platform for your dog to adjust to life on board.

As mentioned previously, before you start exercising with your dog, it is important for you to check that your dog has the ability to take up these fun new sports in order to prevent any injuries. To be fully prepared to take up these new sports with your dog take a look at this list of items that we have put together that you may find helpful to gift your dog before taking them on this new adventure.

Once you have done that then go for it and enjoy these sports with your new training partner who will never let you down and soon they will be waiting at the door for you to get ready.