If you’re a dog owner, you know the importance of walking your dog. But pet owners actually get a lot of the benefits of exercise too. Keep these Reasons To Exercise With Your Dog in mind next time you’d rather sit on the couch instead of going for a long with your furry friend.
For more posts about dogs, check out our other posts about pets.
Let’s talk about fetch.
I know, I know. We’re supposed to stop trying to make fetch happen. But, before you turn all Regina George on me, I’m saying we need to make fetch … with you and your dog happen.
Fetch is such a good way for you to bond with your furry friend and for him to get some pent-up energy out. And, fetch is also a good way for you to get outside and get some fresh air and sunshine without too much effort on your part.
Although, yes, we can be honest. Some of those outdoor activities do require more effort on your part. And sometimes, you just don’t want to put in the effort.
On the days your energy level is low and you just want to open your door and let your dog run around in the yard by himself, think of these reasons to exercise with your dog. They’ll be good motivation to get you going.
If you have a dog (and you must, if you’re reading this) and you’re looking for some gifts for them to make their life and playtime a little more fun, our list of the Best Gifts For Dogs is for you. There are options for chew toys, treats, and more.
4 Good Reasons To Exercise With Your Dog
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You stick to your routine
Your dog needs to go outside. He can’t stay cooped up inside, even when it’s cold out. And on those cold weather days, you don’t want to go outside and get your 10,000 steps. You want a glass of hot chocolate and a Hallmark movie. The cold is such an easy excuse to skip your daily walks.
But your dog depends on you to get out.
So, since you have to take your dog out, even if it’s just a short walk on a snowy day, you’re sticking to your daily exercise too.
You put your phone down
Pete and I say it all the time, but people are too accessible these days. Since we always have our phones in our pockets, you’re constantly in contact with people. You’re spending time holding your phone, texting, watching reels on Instagram, staring at a screen.
But, if you’re playing a game of fetch with your dog, you can’t really be doing all that stuff on your phone. You need your hands to pick up whatever fun toy you’re throwing and to, well, throw it. So it gives you a good excuse to put down your phone and disconnect from the digital world for a little while.
You socialize
According to a recent Zillow survey, one of the top amenities that renters are looking for is a pet area. That makes sense. People have dogs and it’s so convenient to have a dog park right in your apartment complex. That way, you can just take a quick walk over and let your dog have space to run around.
It’s also a great way for you to make friends and spend some quality time with your neighbors.
There’s a good chance that you’ll be on the same daily routine as other dog owners, especially if you work a traditional 9 to 5 job. So, instead of going out for happy hour and socializing that way, you can meet up with people at the park. Your dogs can get some physical exercise and you can get some mental stimulation in the form of conversation.
And this helps with your dog’s social skills too. It’s really important to socialize young dogs so that they grow up comfortable around people and can help dogs be less aggressive in new situations.
You reduce your stress
Your physical health is tied to your mental health.
Playing with your dog releases endorphins and helps to lower your stress hormones. So playing with your dog is one of the best ways to help lower your anxiety and help you sleep better.
Fetch is definitely one of the best games that you can play with really active dogs. Tug of war is great too. In order to stay engaged, get a variety of toys. A bunch of different balls in different sizes is an excellent way to stimulate your pup and keep him or her engaged in play.
Speaking of play, the amount of time needed varies by a dog’s age and a dog’s breed: High-energy breeds need up to an hour, adult dogs and senior dogs need 30 minutes of daily play, and puppies are good with about 20 minutes. That can include low-impact exercises like regular walks or high intensity games like chase.
Toys For Your Dog
If you want to play fetch with your dog, and now you’re wondering what toys are best, we have plenty of great options from Chuckit! toys.
Beth and Six got to check out a variety of pet toys from the brand. His absolute favorite toy of the bunch was the Chuckit! Max Glow Fetch Ball. Six played with it, threw it around to myself, and it gave him zoomies for, like, five minutes. If you know dogs, you know zoomies.
And, if you know dogs, you know they love putting balls in the water dish. It’s a great way for dogs to play with different textures. Chuckit! realized this and made an Amphibious Mega Ball, so it’s totally okay being dropped in the water bowl or in a pool. It’s unsinkable and floats on water, which is awesome if you take your dog swimming (which, actually is a really good type of exercise for older dogs because it’s low impact).
Six also really was obsessed with the Chuckit! Squeaker Tennis Ball because, well, it squeaks. He loves squeaker toys, so he had a great time with this toy.
And, a toy for both a pet parent (sort of) and a dog is the Chuckit! Eco Fetch Launcher. It’s such a convenient way for you to play fetch with your dog. Our neighbors have one and use it in the cul de sac with their dog. You load a ball in, flick your wrist, and the ball goes sailing. Your dog will chase it and bring the ball back and you throw it again. It’s a great way for your dog to get plenty of exercise while you’re not really using much effort.
More Exercise Tips:
If you got to this post because you’re trying to be more mindful of regular exercise for yourself and you need a little more help making sure you’re getting enough exercise, we’re here to help. We have a post about 10 Ways To Get 10k Steps When It’s Hot Out, which is good for summer, and 10 Ways To Get 10,000 Steps When It’s Too Cold To Walk Outside, which is good when it’s cold.
If you’re traveling, our How To Get 10,000 Steps On A Road Trip post is for you. And, if you are on a trip, our 10 Ways To Exercise On Vacation will give you some great ideas that are so different than your regular physical activity.
You can take a peek at all of our fitness posts filled with plenty of ways to stay in shape.
Which of these reasons to exercise with your dog is the best motivator for you? Let us know in the comments.