What & Why: Canine Fitness
What is canine fitness and why should all dog owners utilize it? The short answer is that it aids in the growth and development of young dogs as well as helps prevent and/or treat some of the most common health issues and behavioral problems that too many dog owners face today.
For example:
Obesity. Did you know that in a canine study, it revealed that 56% of pet dogs in America suffer from obesity?
Obesity shortens your dog’s lifespan
Leaves your dog susceptible to major injuries such as cruciate ligament tears and back injury
Creates severe discomfort in everyday activity
Behavioral issues such as destructive behavior, boredom behaviors, fear, anxiety and reactivity commonly result from
a lifestyle that lacks leadership and balanced daily exercise
dogs who lack confidence, problem solving skills or impulse control
Common injuries such as joint pain, limb lameness, shoulder pain, strained necks and back injuries. Did you know that an average of 24% of the pet dogs deemed a healthy weight in America are treated for these injuries each year? Why?
A dog’s posture and flexibility directly affects their movements and whether they need to compensate for a lack of proper posture or lack of flexibility
Common daily exercise activities such as playing fetch, running in dog parks or playing with dogs at daycare, running with your dog, hiking on trails, or your dog pulling on-leash during daily walks all require flexibility, body awareness, balance and strength to perform these activities safely. A lack of any of these things leaves your dog extremely vulnerable to injury and discomfort.\
What does canine fitness do for your dog?
Helps build your dog’s confidence and problem solving skills
Fitness exercises aids in teaching focus and impulse control
Is a boredom buster! Providing mental AND physical exercise
Increases flexibility, balance, strength and endurance
Decreases discomfort during obedience
Aids in weight loss
Is great for puppies and senior dogs
Prevents injuries
Why is canine fitness for every dog? Because LOVE is an action word! Loving our dogs means helping them live their healthiest, calmest and happiest life and 10 minutes a day of simple but essential canine fitness exercises can make a huge impact!
It creates a better quality of life! A healthy dog is a happy dog
Utilizing mental exercise is key to balancing your dog’s daily exercise and truly meeting their biological needs
Building and maintaining endurance is key for aiding in the longevity and overall health of your dog as it is a natural stress reliever for them and strengthens their heart and lungs
Teaching your dog balance creates body awareness which is essential in injury prevention and helps maximize proper posture to keep your dog moving and feeling their best
Implementing regular stretching to aid in flexibility promotes a better range of motion AND circulation to their muscles – all instrumental in preventing injury, pain and soreness from regular activity
Why would you WANT to implement canine fitness?
Variety is the spice of life! No person or dog wants to do the same exercise(s) every day – having a regular rotation of various exercises makes it more fun for you and your dog
Canine fitness is great for:
bad weather days
when you have a busy schedule
for anyone struggling with reactivity to triggers outside or in public
If you have physical limitations and/or health issues that limit your ability to exercise your dog
Do you workout regularly? Do you want new motivation to workout? Teaching your dog canine fitness means that your dog can join you! We also teach “Workout with Your Dog” Courses!
Canine fitness SAVES YOU MONEY on vet bills by preventing injuries and illnesses
It’s actually really fun! It provides you quality one-on-one time to engage with your dog and it challenges you both
Interested in learning more? Check out our Instagram (adventuredog_co) for free exercises OR join our canine fitness program to get a personalized exercise program tailored to your dog’s individual needs.
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