How Can I Train My Dog to be Fitter?

“How can I train my dog to be fitter?” It’s a good question! Active doggos are healthier, happier and may be less prone to common behaviour problems. And, they’ll be so excited to prove themselves to their new personal trainer/best friend (that’s you!) 

The good news is, you don’t have to be an exercise aficionado yourself to find the workout regimen that’s right for your dog. Scientists in the field of doggy health have some recommendations that are easy to implement and proven to work. You may even find that you’re already doing some of the activities that you’ll find in this list!

So, tell your doggo that the training starts now, and let’s explore the question, “How can I train my dog to be fitter?”

“How can I train my dog to be fitter with the activities they already love?”

If you’re already exercising your dog on a regular basis, then you’re doing the right thing. Not only is exercise good for your pup’s physical health, but it’s also been scientifically proven to lower the stress hormone, cortisol, in dogs. 

But, if you feel like Fido is bored with the same routine, or you’re looking to make your dog work a little bit harder, here are some fun ideas:

• Play fetch with a racket

This is a simple trick to make your pup run farther to chase after the tennis ball. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on this quick upgrade, and your doggo will get more out of your exercise session!

One of the things we really love about this new take on a classic form of exercise is that it will also help to hone your dog’s reflexes and alertness. By pushing them to chase the ball farther, you’ll notice that they will rely more on their senses to keep their sights locked on the prize.

• Explore a variety of landscapes

As any avid jogger will tell you, different landscapes offer unique exercising opportunities. Hills can help to build muscle and challenge a runner’s mental strength. Sandy beaches improve balance and decrease the impact on the joints. Much in the same way, your pup can benefit from varied surfaces.

So when asking yourself “How can I train my dog to be fitter?”, think about variability. Instead of taking them to the same dog park multiple times a week, consider shaking things up. One day, you might go for an off-road walk with some hills. Another day, you can play fetch at the beach or a grassy field. The variation in play and exercise areas will demand more of them physically, while also providing more mental stimulation.

If possible, you’ll want to avoid surfaces that are too slippery and don’t provide any grip for your dog. As we covered in our article Why Do Dogs Struggle to Walk on Some Surfaces?, the wrong surface will slow your dog down and discourage play. 

• Incorporate a fun new element into your same old walking route

Walking will always be a great form of exercise for dogs of all ages and ability levels. But, you might notice that, as you’ve traversed the same path over and over, your dog may not be as engaged or excited as the first time around.

Even if you’re relegated to the same neighbourhood or walking path, you can make things more interesting by hiding a couple of small trinkets or toys along your walk that your dog can find. When you’re near a hidden treasure, tell your dog to “find” or “search” and then watch those sniffing instincts come to life! If your dog has never tried tracking before, you can learn how to teach them in our article, How to Train Your Dog’s Sense of Smell. 

Another way to make your walkies more interesting? Try stopping every now and then to practice tricks. You might even find a way to incorporate some elements of agility by teaching your dog to jump over a fallen log or weave in and out of bushes along the path.

Adding these fun elements to your walk will take some time and planning, but your pup will get more out of each walking session! 

“How can I train my dog to be fitter while trying new things?”

Training your dog to be fitter can be a fun experience for you and your dog with these thrilling ventures:

• Snowshoeing with your dog

If you live near one of Australia’s alpine regions, this one can provide a fun seasonal challenge. While snowshoeing may just look like an easy stroll in the snow, it’s much harder than it looks. We should note that snowshoeing may only be appropriate for dogs who are on the taller side and not phased by cold winter conditions. Booties and jackets may also be necessary to keep your pup comfortable during this fun workout. 

So when the snow starts to fall, pack up your pup and head to the ski slopes!

• Agility training, dock diving, and lure coursing

One of the best ways that you can keep your dog fit and healthy is by drawing on their inherent talents. Breeds that evolved to hunt waterfowl will love sports like dock diving; likewise, those bred for sight hunting will excel at lure coursing. Livestock dogs will also exceed your expectations with agility training.

At the end of the day, regardless of breed or skill, your dog is going to enjoy whatever sport you teach them. After all, you’re here with the question, “How can I train my dog to be fitter?” Whether they’ll bring home awards doesn’t matter! And you’ll be offering them the opportunity to build endurance and muscle, hone their agility and balance, and work on focus.

• Competitive dog dancing

This one is totally silly and fun, but don’t underestimate the workout it can give you and your dog. Choreographed dog dancing requires a lot of training, making it the perfect balance of exercise and mental stimulation. And, you’ll notice that your bond with your dog will deepen as they learn to look to you for guidance and encouragement. 

Some must-dos for your pup’s new active lifestyle

The exercise tips that we’ve shared so far will help you achieve the healthy lifestyle that you’re looking for. 

But keep in mind that improving your dog’s physical activities is just one way to help them achieve a healthy lifestyle. To make sure that they have enough energy to keep up with the fun new workout schedule, make sure that you incorporate these tips as well:

• Always provide access to water. It’s a good idea to always travel with a bottle of water and a collapsible bowl. This is key to keeping them cool and hydrated for all your fun activities.
• Get them on a healthy diet. The benefits of a high-quality diet for an active doggo cannot be understated. If you’re going to increase the activity levels for your pup, the best option for them will be a high-protein diet that is packed with nutrients. Mad Paws Dinner Bowl meals offer just that: raw, fresh, locally sourced ingredients that will give your dog the energy to keep going.
• Give them plenty of rest. A great follow-up question to “How can I train my dog to be fitter,” is “How can I promote rest and rejuvenation between high energy activities?” Resting is a pivotal part of your pup’s exercise schedule, so provide them a quiet, peaceful place to snooze.

How will you build your dog’s new fitness plan?

In this article, we covered some fun and creative tips for incorporating more exercise and mental stimulation in your pup’s routine. But this is by no means an exhaustive list!

However you answer the question, “How can I train my dog to be fitter,” we’d love to hear how you’ve introduced physical activity and mental challenges in your dog’s daily life!

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