Your best friend can be your best fitness buddy, too. And you, his! The reason: your pet will never make excuses. Since your pet needs to go out at least twice daily, it allows you to squeeze in multiple short workouts. You don’t need to limit yourself to just the old leash-and-walk routine. There’s a lot more you two can do.
STRETCH! Notice how that’s the first thing your pooch does, on waking up? Well, here’s a thing for you to learn. Stretch with him. Indulge in yoga (Doga) or Pilates (Pupilates). Stretching with his help and helping him to stretch offers both of you the benefits of yoga. It also adds resistance to your workout and helps resolve behavioural issues in your pet. Moreover, it can keep age-related spinal and joint problems in many breeds at bay. Studies reveal that having your pup on your mat helps increase concentration!
TAKE A POST-LUNCH STROLL “This is not the time for intense activity, as it’s too warm for your dog,” says Sathe. So a quick stroll is the way to go. “Taking the stairs with your dog is always a good idea,” says Delano Henriques, of Dogs Training India, Mumbai.
RUN AND PLAY Unless your dog is a very small breed or too old, take him for a jog once a day. “It’s the best way to keep your dog, and you of course, fit,” says Henriques. “If you have an open ground nearby, throw in a game of Frisbee, catch or football—it keeps your dog agile and mentally alert.”
PLAY MIND GAMES It isn’t all about breaking into a sweat or being outdoors. Especially if you don’t always have the time to take your dog out yourself. “Tracking—having him search out hidden objects—and playing hide and seek can help sharpen his mental faculties and facilitate bonding between you two,” says Henriques.
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