5 Basic Exercises to Keep Your Dog Fit and Healthy at Home
By Dr. Carrie Schlachter

Maintaining your dog's fitness and health doesn't always require professional training or expensive equipment. Regular exercise not only keeps your dog physically active but also promotes mental well-being. As a veterinarian specializing in canine rehabilitation, I have seen the benefits of consistent, structured exercise firsthand. Here are five basic exercises you can easily do at home to keep your furry friend fit, strong, and happy.

1. Walking and Jogging

Walking is the simplest and most effective way to keep your dog fit. Regular walks help maintain a healthy weight, promote cardiovascular health, and offer mental stimulation through exposure to different smells, sights, and sounds. For high-energy dogs, jogging or running can be a great alternative to walking, helping them burn off extra energy and build stamina.

Why It Benefits Fitness:

Walking and jogging improve cardiovascular endurance, strengthen muscles, and maintain joint flexibility. The mental stimulation from varied routes helps reduce stress and prevents boredom-related behaviors.

Tips:

• Aim for at least 30 minutes of walking per day, adjusting for your dog’s age, breed, and energy level.

• Switch up your route occasionally to keep things interesting for your dog.

• For active breeds, consider jogging or running to provide more intense exercise.

2. Fetch

Playing fetch is not just a fun game; it's also a great way to give your dog a full-body workout. This activity improves their agility, endurance, and coordination. Fetch can also be used to work on recall training, reinforcing your dog’s ability to come when called.

Why It Benefits Fitness:

Fetch is a high-energy exercise that builds speed, agility, and overall stamina. Repeated sprints help tone muscles and improve cardiovascular health.

Tips:

• Choose a safe, open area for playing fetch, like your backyard or a nearby park.

• Use a ball or toy that’s the right size for your dog. Smaller breeds might struggle with a large ball, while larger breeds might accidentally swallow a small one.

• Be mindful of your dog’s energy level. Some dogs don’t know when to stop, so it’s up to you to ensure they don’t overdo it.

3. Balance Work with a Bosu Ball or Cushion (Replaces Tug-of-War)

Balance exercises involve having your dog stand on an unstable surface, such as a balance cushion, Bosu ball, or even a rolled-up towel. This activity strengthens core muscles, improves coordination, and enhances body awareness.

Why It Benefits Fitness:

Balancing engages stabilizer muscles that aren’t always used in daily activities, improving core strength and joint stability. It’s especially helpful for injury prevention and rehabilitation.

How to Do It:

1. Place a balance cushion or Bosu ball on a stable, non-slip surface.

2. Encourage your dog to step onto the surface with all four paws, using treats to lure them if needed.

3. Start with short durations (5-10 seconds) and gradually increase the time as your dog builds confidence.

4. Always supervise and reward your dog for their efforts with treats or praise.

Tips:

• Use treats to motivate your dog and make the exercise a positive experience.

• Begin with a low-intensity surface (like a rolled-up towel) if your dog is new to balance exercises.

• Gradually increase the challenge by introducing more unstable surfaces as your dog improves.

4. Sit-to-Stand (Dog Squats)

The sit-to-stand exercise is like a squat for dogs. It strengthens their hind leg muscles, core, and lower back, making it an excellent low-impact exercise for dogs of all ages, including older dogs.

Why It Benefits Fitness:

This exercise helps build muscle mass in the hind legs, improves joint flexibility, and supports proper posture. It’s also a functional movement that mimics daily activities, helping your dog stay mobile.

How to Do It:

1. Start with your dog in a sitting position.

2. Use a treat to lure them into a standing position by slowly moving the treat upward and forward.

3. Once your dog stands up, reward them and praise them.

4. Encourage your dog to sit back down and then stand up again. Repeat this process.

Tips:

• Start with a few repetitions and gradually increase as your dog builds strength.

• Use treats as a motivator, but try to phase them out over time to prevent overfeeding.

• Make sure your dog’s movements are slow and controlled to avoid any strain.

5. Obstacle Course or Agility Training

Setting up a simple obstacle course in your home or backyard can be a great way to keep your dog active and mentally stimulated. You can use items like hula hoops, cones, tunnels, or even chairs to create hurdles and pathways for your dog to navigate.

Why It Benefits Fitness:

Obstacle courses combine physical and mental challenges, improving agility, coordination, and focus. They also encourage problem-solving and provide a full-body workout.

How to Do It:

1. Set up an obstacle course using items like cones for weaving, chairs for jumping, and tunnels for crawling.

2. Guide your dog through the course using treats or toys as motivation.

3. Start with simple obstacles and gradually increase the difficulty as your dog gains confidence.

Tips:

• Use treats or toys as rewards to encourage your dog to follow the course.

• Make sure the obstacles are safe and appropriate for your dog’s size and skill level. For example, a small dog may struggle with high jumps, while a larger dog might not fit through a small tunnel.

• Start with short sessions to prevent overexertion.

Why Regular Exercise Matters

Regular exercise is essential for your dog’s overall health. Physical activities help maintain a healthy weight, improve cardiovascular health, and reduce the risk of joint problems. Exercise also reduces behavioral issues, as an active dog is less likely to engage in destructive activities out of boredom. For breeds with a lot of energy, regular exercise is even more critical to keep them mentally and physically engaged.

Conclusion

Keeping your dog fit and healthy doesn’t have to be complicated. With these five basic exercises, you can easily incorporate physical activity into your dog’s routine at home. Remember to keep it fun and adjust the activities to suit your dog’s age, breed, and health condition. Regular exercise improves your dog’s physical health and strengthens the bond you share, creating a happier and healthier life for your four-legged friend.

Carrie Schlachter, VMD, DACVSMR is a veterinarian specializing in rehabilitation and sports medicine. She is the founder of AIM Education.