Five tips to follow when exercising your dog

Much like humans, dogs also need to work on their fitness with some exercise. For the most part, they will want it – dogs always look forward to activity – but they also need it. Also like humans, if they spend most of their time indoors, often lying on a cushy bed and doing a whole lot of nothing but lounging around and eating, it means it&rsquo-s time for them to start working out as well.

Here are five tips to follow when exercising your dog:

1. Consider the breed of your dog. Choosing what kind of workout and how far you can go will depend on your dog&rsquo-s breed. Some breeds are better equipped for more strenuous exercise, while others can only do so much without getting injured or worse, becoming fatal.

2. Stay hydrated. With any exercise routine, it&rsquo-s important to keep your body safe, which includes keeping it properly hydrated at all times. This is especially important during the warmer weather, where heat exhaustion and dehydration are some dangerous factors when it comes to working out. Also, if you have a long walk or hike planned, you&rsquo-ll want to pack a few snacks for both you and your dog to keep your energy levels up to par.

3. Start off slow. For your safety as well as your pup&rsquo-s, don&rsquo-t just dive in to an exercise routine. Take it slow and ease into it.

4. Play games. A great way to get your dog moving can be done in the comfort of your own home. Simple games such as catch, hide and seek, and even wrestling with one another can keep you both moving and will eventually wear you out.

5. Don&rsquo-t push too hard. As recommended to humans, when working out you shouldn&rsquo-t push yourself too hard. The same thing goes for your pup. Keep an eye on them when you exercise – if they show any signs of exhaustion, pain, soreness, or trouble breathing, it&rsquo-s time to slow down or stop.

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