Indoor exercises for you and your pet

Mar 02, 2012 10:00 AM by Virginia Chavez

Posted in Pets & Animals / Dogs

Staying fit with Fido

Don't let cabin fever get the best of you and your pup. The weather outside may be frightful but exercising indoors can be delightful. There are a variety of fun indoor workouts that will keep you and your canine companion in tip-top shape. Try any or all of these fun indoor exercises with your pooch and break through the winter boredom barriers.

Musical Canine Freestyle

Join the dog dance revolution with Musical canine freestyle. This increasingly popular form of dog training has become a professional sport. Musical canine freestyle consists of training your pet to perform choreographed movements to music. Lucky for you, you don't have to go pro to enjoy two-stepping with your pup. If your dog knows any of the basic commands, the rest is simple. Dancing is a great way to stay active, and your furry friend will love spending extra time with you. If you love dancing, teach your pooch how to bust a move at home. Turn up your favorite song and grab one of these instructional videos or manuals to get started.

Dogstacle course

Turn your home into an indoor play haven with everyday household items. Using tables, chairs, buckets and brooms, you can set up an exhilarating indoor obstacle course that will have your pup tired out in no time. Practice each obstacle with your pet for quality bonding time and burn some human calories while you're at it. Here are some tips on how to get started:

Place a broom horizontally on top of two chairs (broom-length apart) for a homemade jump.
Use buckets or pillows to set up as "weave poles." Using a healthy snack, have your pet follow you and weave through the maze of pillow and buckets. The goal is to go around each object without stumbling over them.
Set up boxes as a tunnel by having both ends of each box open. Standing at the opposite end of the box, call your pet to you -- she should work her way through the "tunnel." For an added workout, try crawling through the tunnel first and have Fido follow you.

Doga

Wish you could bring Fido to your favorite yoga class? Work on refining your downward dog at home for an extra workout you and your pooch will enjoy. Doga can have the same mind-stimulating and de-stressing benefits of regular yoga. In addition to the multiple health benefits, practicing doga with your pooch will make your bond even stronger. Doga classes have become increasingly popular in most cities. If you're lucky enough to get out of the house, a simple search for doga classes will lead you to the nearest indoor doga studio in your city. For the rest of us, try any of these doga videos to get started at home.

Make a Note

Agility training takes time and patience. Always remember the main goal is to have fun and stay active with your pet. Using low-calorie reward treats is encouraged.

Watch: Dog aerobics

Fat Pit Bull Productions present Dogrobics, a high intensity calorie blasting workout. Let Fit Pit Leroy lead you through a cardio pumping workout sure to help you develop the body you've always wanted.

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Tags: dog health indoor activities pet fun

Comments

Comments on "Indoor exercises for you and your pet"

I think this article is great! I live in an apartment and work crazy hours so sometimes its hard to get the dog out for a walk. These tips have given me new ideas on how my dog can get the exercise she needs.

I think anybody who has a dog and does not get any exercise should not have a dog to begin with. Its extremely important for dogs to have their daily exercise.