For the past few years, I have been on the cusp of being overweight (per Wii). So, just before the holidays when my jeans started getting a little snug, I started trying to lose weight again. I don’t do it by dieting. I do it by exercising more and by eliminating refined carbs and sweets. Maya & Pierson are not overweight, but they are active dogs so have been helping me get more exercise in a fun way. Here are some things we do to stay fit.
Fast-Paced Walk
I walk the dogs almost every day… okay, at least five times a week. Before, the walks were just leisurely. It was exercise but I needed more. So I increased my pace and my distance. The dogs love the faster way of walking. Incidentally, they’ve also stopped pulling on the leash as much. 
Outdoor Games
We love to play chase. I don’t just let my dogs chase me. I chase them too. And sometimes they chase each other. This is a very tiring activity but I love it. I’ve also been trying to get Pierson into playing kick ball. I’ve been trying since last year when I bought that big blue rubber ball, but he is still scared of it. Chicken boy. Maya likes the game but she won’t play it if Pierson is out there because he starts chasing her. Something I want to do but haven’t done yet, is set up an obstacle course that both me and the dogs can do… sort of like an agility course.
Indoor Games
For some odd reason, my dogs love it when I start stretching. They have to be right there in front of me. So simple toe touches turn into ‘bend down to kiss the doggies on the nose’. Since my dogs love to play tug-of-war, sometimes I will have them help me with my stretches by pulling the toy while I am in a stretch position. We also play hide and seek in the house. This is not really a vigorous exercise, but it is something. We also wrestle. And just playing with the dogs in general is good because I am not sitting and doing nothing. Here is a fun game my dogs love to play.
These are the activities that we do. Other activities you can do with your dog include biking, running, and when the weather warms, swimming. Are there any other fun activities you do with your dogs that gets you to exercise too? I need more ideas!
Tags: active dogs, fun activities with dogs, fun exercises with dogs, maya, pierson
February 2, 2013 at 11:06 am |
Best way ever to exercise – having fun with dogs (or any animals for that matter)
February 2, 2013 at 11:25 am |
Hi Y’all!
Hey sounds like lots of fun is being had by all!
I love to play hide and seek with my Human, but we play OUTside! We really don’t play that much when we are in the mountains ’cause there aren’t many places in the yard to hide.
Y’all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
February 2, 2013 at 12:40 pm |
that is so cute! I have to try that with Dakota! Dakota likes for me to chase him around the living room while he is carrying a toy. He likes when I make “Monster” sounds when I do it
February 3, 2013 at 9:00 am |
That sounds like our house. i am a super fast walker anyway, Torrey loves that, Roxy sometimes has a hard time keeping up.
February 3, 2013 at 11:32 am |
How fun that you all exercise together! I love to go running with my Mum!
Have fun
Your pal Snoopy
February 5, 2013 at 5:57 pm |
Omigoodness! The peek a boo with the pups is great! I’m afraid I don’t exercise unless I have another human to walk and talk with. All my walking buddies have deserted me. But I love your ideas! I keep telling myself that I’m going to set up an agility course in the backyard when I return from Florida at the end of the month, teach the chickens agility. We should have new chickens to play with at that point.
February 5, 2013 at 6:48 pm |
Agility with chickens? I’ve gotta see that! How are you going to get them to jump over the bars?