What exercise is best for dogs?

As Animal Physiotherapists, we are constantly managing injuries in our beloved furry companions.  A big passion of ours is to help educate on the best way of avoiding injuries.  As humans, we strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat well, exercise and enjoy a balanced lifestyle.  This is exactly what we would love all the dogs of the world to enjoy as well.

A tailored exercise program is the best way to avoid injury.  Maintaining strength and flexibility in our joints and muscles, and avoiding undue stress is the best way to achieve a long and healthy life.  There is no doubt that vet care has advanced significantly over the past decade, and many dogs are achieving a far longer and better quality of life than ever before.  Here are our favorite tips to maintain healthy physical dogs:

• Walking 2-3 walks a day between 15-30min
• Aim for some altered terrain such as hills and stepping stones 2-3 days a week
• Incorporate sit to stand, and sit to lie exercise daily into their routine.  Ideally, 5-10 reps of each, using their usual healthy food as a reward
• Stretch their neck side to side with treats so they move independently, aim for 2-3 reps each side daily
• For added strength, get your pet to step up and down onto a non-slip step, to build further hindlimb and forelimb control
• Add swimming or water walking into a weekly or daily exercise outing
• Teach your dog to do a down dog stretch daily with treats, to give their spine further mobility
• Teach your dog to do figure 8’s around your legs to build lateral control
• Avoid jumping off heights and in/out of car
• Teach your dog to use a ramp or steps to reduce strain

We highly recommend finding a physiotherapist who can assess and prescribe an appropriate strength and conditioning program tailored to your pet.  If you have any questions, we are here to help. Email lauren@map.physio, call reception on 90920400 or you can book online.