Real Life Fitness for Dogs

Real Life Fitness for Dogs:  What I’m NOT going to tell you to do!!!

*You do NOT have to sign up for a marathon and use your dog as your running partner.  Which would be impossible if you have a Chihuahua!
*You do NOT have to carve our another hour out of your already busy day.  Who really has another hour to spare?!?!
*You do NOT have to do doggy yoga, doggy aerobics or even go outside into the freezing weather of Northern Indiana.

Try these simple tricks for improving your dogs fitness, mental health and family relationships!!

Kibble Fetch  -  This game is good for the novice or experienced dog.  Also a great game for kids to preform with age appropriate adult supervision.  All you need is the food that you were going to be feeding at mealtime and an area like a hallway, large room or sidewalk if you want to play outside.  You start with a piece of kibble in your hand, ask your dog to sit and then say, “Ready?”  When you toss the piece of kibble be sure your dog can see it and say, “Go!”  If he/she has a hard time go show them where it is and adjust your tossing technique.  Sometimes it is necessary to roll the treat away instead of tossing overhand.  The more you play, the further you should be able to toss the treat and the more excited your dog will be to go get it and scamper back to you for another round!  Repeat as many times as you like while still keeping it fun for your dog.


Fun Feeding Toys - This game is good for the novice or experienced dog.  There are multiple fun feeding toys that stimulate exercise and mental stimulation that don’t require any additional activity out of you except setting the toy up.  Below are some of my favorites:

Hide and Seek - Basically, if your dog doesn’t follow you around the house, go hide somewhere and call your dog to come to you.  Consider first hiding in a different room, then gradually getting more difficult as you’re dog gets used to playing the game.  Remember when you were little and you had to give a noise hint if it had been awhile and the seeker couldn’t find you, the same applies here.  If you play it right you should get a dog that is as thrilled to have found you as you are!  They should have that crazy wagging tail and that look wiggly body.  This exercise is not only fun, but a functional way to practice your recall, coming when called.  When calling your dog to find you, say their name and your recall word one time.  “Fido, Here!”  or “Fido, Come!”  This exercise can be easily transferred to your yard as well.
BONUS:  Try teaching your dog to go find certain toys or treats.  Start small at first, just a treat underneath a basket, box or can.  Gradually building up to hiding it in different rooms.

Neika Smessaert, RVT
Vet Tech Coach, LLC