Stay Active With Your Dog: 9 Tips To Get Your Dog Looking And Feeling Great
Posted on January 04 2022
Does your dog seem a little different lately? Maybe they’re sleeping a little more than usual, or maybe the dog door seems like more of a tight squeeze. Has their coat lost its shine, and do they just seem a little sluggish?
Do you feel a little sluggish too, and has the pep gone out of your step? It might be time to shake up your routine. Or get yourselves into a better routine.
An active dog is a happy dog, and your dog is happiest when they’re active with you. We can all use more activity in our lives, and your dog’s happiness is a great incentive to get up and get moving.
Not sure what to do? We have some ideas for getting active and best practices for staying safe. Keep reading to learn how to stay active with your dog and get them looking and feeling great.
Getting Active With Your Dog
1) Figure out your goals. What are you hoping to achieve with your new routine? Are you hoping to increase the fitness levels of you and your dog? Are you hoping to find some fun, new activities you can enjoy together? This can help you develop a routine. Start slowly, and see how your dog responds. Add new activities into your routine a little at a time to give your dog time to adapt.
2) Get out and walk with your dog. It seems so easy, but it can be so hard to get motivated to do it. You don’t have to walk for miles, but set yourself a goal time, and slowly add on to it. Start in short increments, especially if you have an older dog with joint problems. Walking is the best exercise for older dogs, but don’t overdo it. Try to aim for the same time every day so it becomes a habit. Walking starts laying the foundation for other activities you might want to try with your dog.
3) Take your walks to the hiking trails. If your normal routine is feeling a little flat, spice it up by returning to nature. Find some trails in your area that are suited to your experience and your dog’s fitness level. Your pup will be thrilled about the new sounds and smells, and you’ll enjoy the change of scenery. Just remember to let someone know where you’re going, and bring plenty of water for you and your dog.
4) Play some catch at the dog park. This is more of an exercise for your dog, but any movement is good movement, and your dog will love the bonding time. You can make it more active by racing with your dog to see who can get the ball first.
5) Try swimming. In warm weather, try taking a swim with your dog. The water takes the pressure off the joints of older or out-of-shape dogs. Younger dogs will splash themselves tired without realizing the water is making them work harder. Don’t have a pool of your own? Some community pools have specific dog days. You can also try taking your dog to a lake that allows dogs. Make sure your dog has a life vest and keep them to shallow areas unless they are a confident swimmer. If you’re at a National Park, be sure to check the rules before swimming to avoid any fines.
6) Add fresh foods to your dog’s diet. Feeling and looking good isn’t just about exercise. Nutrition plays a huge role. Give your dog’s nutrition a boost by supplementing with fruits, veggies, and even fish. A little bone broth on your dog’s food adds protein and is beneficial to the joints. Eggs and salmon or a few anchovies can add omega 3s and help bring the shine back to your dog’s coat. Be sure to check in with your vet so that you don’t supplement too much and risk adding too many calories to your dog’s daily regimen.
7) Don’t overwork your dog. If you have an older dog or a breed that doesn’t handle heat or a lot of vigorous activity well, be mindful of their limitations. You don’t want to cause injury to your senior pup, and it is extremely easy for breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs to become overheated and overworked. You may need to take shorter walks more times throughout the day or find easier places to walk.
8) Keep your dog on a leash. Unless otherwise specified, such as swimming or at the dog park, your dog should be leashed at all times. This keeps them from wandering too far and getting lost if they are in an unfamiliar area. This also gives you control if they are approached by another dog and things seem to be getting heated.
If you have a dog that pulls on leash, you're not destined for an unenjoyable walk! Choose a no-pull harness like Duke & Fox's Step In Harness to make sure that walk time is pleasant for both you and your pup.
9) Keep ID on your dog. You never know when the worst could happen, and your dog could get away from you. For your dog’s safety, a microchip is always a great idea. And make sure that microchip information is always up-to-date.
But don’t just stop there. Keep in mind that the first thing people notice about a dog is its collar. ID tags can easily fall or be torn off a collar. Instead of or in addition to tags, grab them a personalized embroidered dog collar. Your dog’s name and your contact number are stitched right onto the collar, making sure all of the information is easy to read.
Embroidered dog collars come in dozens of fun colors, so you can pick one that will make your dog stand out and help him/her come home sooner. Embroidered dog collars also just look darn cute. This embroidered dog collar is fun and feisty and will definitely make your dog memorable. If you and your dog are music fans, a collar like this is a cute way to show it. But we’ve barely scratched the surface. There are so many embroidered dog collar options to choose from in the Duke & Fox shop. Take a look here.
Have you started coming up with ideas to get you and your dog into an active routine? Get out and start now! There’s no time like the present to start living a more active lifestyle. Start slowly and build your way up. And make sure to always follow the appropriate safety tips like making sure your dog always has identification, like an embroidered dog collar, and you and your pup will be well on your way to looking good and feeling better.
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