Exercising is always more fun with a partner and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more fun workout buddy than your best canine friend.
Having your four-legged friend as an exercise partner means you won’t have to worry about coordinating schedules, motivating your partner, or being slowed down by someone else. Your dog is also far less likely to complain about the cold weather or early starts!
Regular exercise is very important for your dog’s health and wellbeing. By incorporating their exercise into your own routine you’ll be providing your pet with the stimulation and physical activity they need to grow healthy and strong.
Today, we’ll look at some fun and easy ways you can get moving with your dog, getting you both into shape and feeling great.
Walking your dog is the easiest way to get both of you outside and into the fresh air, while increasing your heart rates. They will love getting the opportunity to sniff around the neighbourhood or local park, and Auckland has plenty of beautiful parklands and gardens for you both to explore.
After you’ve got a comfortable handling your dog on a leash, and they’ve become accustomed to their walks, you’ll be able to include them in your hike or bike. Hikes, especially in areas where pets can run off-leash, are the ultimate day out for many dogs. Make sure your dog’s return skills are top notch before you let him or her loose, though!
Cycling can also be a great option for exercising with your pet buddy, with specially designed dog leashes created to allow dogs to run alongside bicycles while their owner pedals. If you’re unsure whether your dog is too small to run safely alongside your bike, check with your vet first.
Turn your backyard into a cool workout zone for you and your pet.
You can use fitness gear and exercise equipment that you could usually use on your own, with some canine-friendly twists. Create an obstacle course or in this case a dogstacle course, with items such as hula hoops, Swiss balls, skipping ropes, steps… whatever you can find for you and your dog to weave, run and jump over.
With your dog on a leash, run or walk quickly through your backyard course, stopping at each ‘station’ to do sit-ups, push-ups, step-ups or start jumps – anything to get your body moving and your heart pumping.
Most dogs also tend to love a good game of Frisbee.
This is also a workout game you can play in your backyard or take the Frisbee to your local park. Running to catch and retrieve the Frisbee will have you working out without even realising it – you’ll be surprised how much ground you can cover in a session!
You might like to incorporate basic obedience training into your workout. Have your dog sit, stay or lie down throughout the game.
If you’d like to find out more information about how to keep your dog or cat fit and healthy for life, talk to the team at Normanby Road Vet Clinic.
Is it time for your pet’s annual check-up? Give us a call on (09) 638 8445 or use our online contact form to get in touch with the friendly team.
If you are thinking of going away, we run Catmandu Cattery in Whenuapai – many of our clients consider it their cats’ home away from home.
If you have an Emergency with your pet during our closed hours please see under Services page for a list Emergency clinics in Auckland.
Please do not go to the emergency clinic if it is not urgent/life threatening. ( Runny eyes/nose , coughing , limping , itching & etc can wait until the morning to be seen by our day vet )
If you are very worried or unsure if you are dealing with an emergency about your pet after clinic hours and you are a client with us you can reach Dr Chris on his emergency phone until 10pm or again from 7am each day
- Dr Chris Laurenson - 027 544 4427
Normanby Road Vet Clinic offers a range of friendly and professional vet services for cats, dogs and other animals. From vaccinations to microchipping and even surgeries, we can help your pets remain happy and healthy. Our clinic is easily accessible from all areas of Auckland.
