Canine Fitness Workout to Reduce Injury
Does your dog really need a workout routine?
I thought this was a crazy idea a few years ago, I mean they are dogs and they know how to take care of themselves. Right?
Dogs use to live in packs where they would play bow, weave, wrestle, and chase each other. This was more apparent to me as I watched a friend’s pack of dogs playing in the yard. Today dogs live in a household of one or maybe two dogs so they do not get the same play that their predecessors did. As a result they are becoming injured at an increasing rate when jumping off the couch, bed, or out of the car.
What can you do? If you are a pet parent or owner that truly wants to create a healthier dog then it is very simple steps you can take. Canine physical fitness is a new field in the animal world. It consist of people that have anything from a little training to lots of training and it is your job to research those people so your dog does not get injured in the process of helping them become stronger. You can find ‘My Story’ on another page.
You researched and found an canine fitness trainer your dog trust and relates to your needs. Give them a call to have a quick consult to see if it is a good fit to work together and then get started.
Here are 2 exercises that will help to start improving your dog’s health today.
- The Number 1 Exercise!! Front feet up or elevated stand- ask your dog to step up on a low solid step to shift their weight to the hind legs which will help strengthen their glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, and calf muscles.
- Step over sticks- ask your dog to step over sticks on the ground as you are on walks. This will increase the proprioception in their feet to help them be more agile. Read more on proprioception on my previous article ‘Proprioception, What is it’
If you want video instruction jump over to our Facebook page for a video pinned at the top of the page on how to do the above exercises and more. These are easy to add to your routine on a daily walk by stepping up on a curb and holding it. These are simple ways to create a stronger canine and improve your animal human bond.
Leave us a comment on how your exercises are going.
Update: If your dog does sustain an injury they are recovering from, here is a good article on how to make both your lives easier during the healing time.
