AR: What thoughts would you like to share about activities with dogs like running, hiking, biking, swimming (or other water activities), boot camp/strength training, and Skijoring?

F&P: If I had to pick one activity for people to do with their dog, it would be strength training. It can help improve the quality of naturally repetitious everyday tasks like sitting down and climbing stairs, as well as their performance while walking, hiking, running, or any number of other activities.

Strength training can also help both human and dog build balance and proprioception skills, as well as the dog’s hind-end awareness, which they don’t naturally possess.

AR: What do you usually do in your dog/human workout classes?

F&P: During these classes, I divide the time between dog, human, and combined exercises. This is in large part because some exercises lend well integration and others do not, especially given the different sizes of the dogs and the varying abilities of the humans and dogs.

A golden retriever would have to crawl under their human’s leg while in a lunge, but a Corgi easily walks.

That same Corgi would have to jump over their human’s leg(s) in a V-situp, but a Golden Retriever could most likely step/stride. That’s not to say both of these dogs can’t do these exercises with their human, but they aren’t getting the same outcome. So, the questions are: what are the human and dog’s abilities, needs, and goals, do these exercises serve them, and can they be done well (if integrated) by the human and dog?

In terms of types of activities, some are cardio-based, but

Most exercises in Workout With Your Dog class largely focus on strength, endurance, and flexibility training.

For dogs, this often involves basic behaviors like sit, down, and stand (which I consider the equivalent of our squat, pushup, and plank) but with an emphasis on form. If a dog doesn’t know these behaviors (well), they get better, in both understanding and form, from even just a few classes with a trained fitness instructor/dog trainer providing tips.

AR: What kind of advice do you have for people who want to integrate dogs into their fitness routines, in general? (And is there anything you would warn them about?)

F&P: First, make sure your dog is healthy to participate by taking them to your vet. Find out of they have any contraindications to an activity or even a particular exercise.

Even if you are given clearance to exercise with your dog, you always need to be your dog’s advocate. Listen to what they are saying to you.

Since they can’t do this with words, watch for signs of discomfort, pain, or fatigue (panting, shifting weight, poor form, refusal to perform, hopping instead of walking, etc). Of course, you should never sacrifice you or your dog’s health or safety to work out, whether individually or together.

Some days I do my workout while my dog waits on her bed, and then I guide her through her workout. When we do work out together, I always inspect any equipment before use and don’t use heavy equipment, like weights, that could fall and hurt either one of us. Instead, I largely utilize bodyweight exercises, adding more reps, duration, or the next degree of difficulty (like an unstable and/or elevated surface) when appropriate. That being said,

Your dog should never be used as your weight, or what I see a lot of, as a mere accessory to an exercise.

My last bit of advice would be, if you’re looking to work out with your dog, make sure it’s an activity that you both enjoy. Not all dogs (or humans) love to run, swim, or hike, but may love other activities like freestyle (dog dancing), agility, or rally (dog sport based on obedience).

AR: What’s the bottom line: What would you most like people to know about dogs and exercise?

F&P: Being active is so beneficial for humans, not just physically but mentally, and the same goes for our dogs. They want and need stimulation. They enjoy learning (and earning their food and some treats..just not to many otherwise we’re defeating the point).

Dogs thrive when they have a purpose.

You can teach an old dog new “tricks” and improve known behaviors. You can make working out with your dog fun and safe.

You can help increase the number of healthy years you have together with exercise.