5 Daily Doga Inspirations for you and your dog

By Maureen Ross & Agent JJ Bucket

Walking for Well-Being

How is this for multi-tasking? We love our dogs and spring is a symbol of new beginnings. How about getting a work-out in while walking the dog?

There are many ways to fit in healthful exercise. As I type, I am sitting on a fitness ball. This helps keep me focused, sitting straight because if I don’t I’ll fall off.

Having a fenced yard is a gift for free roaming exercise. Walking is even better. Your dog gets to meet and greet the powerful environment. Be mindful to incrementally introduce young puppies or uncertain dogs to sights, sounds and smells. It can be overwhelming to do too much at once, creating behaviors like lunging, barking or hiding. Gradually increase the grid (delivery, distance, distractions, duration, diversity and discrimination).

Before exercising, be sure your dog hasn’t eaten or drank too much. Cross-train and choose different routes to alleviate boredom. Ready, set, okay, let’s go. If you are in condition, you know the answer. Just do it. If this is newer, or you’ve relaxed the winter away, start walking 10-15 minutes.

Increase this weekly, as you and your dog feel comfortable. Consider the dog’s conditioning (mental and physical). Add some muscle, like wrist-band weights. Put on a backpack filled with things you can use on the walk like water, dish, Kindle or book. Still too light? Add some 5lb weights to the back pack.

Include bursts of intensity. Every four or five minutes of walking, add intensity for one minute by walking faster, sprinting or jogging. This increases your metabolism and burn fat calories. It channels your dog’s energy into positive outlets. If your dog is focused on what you are going to do next, s/he won’t be looking in five other directions.

Let your dog sniff for rewards. Find a tree. Keep your dog’s leash in your hand, or tie it around your waste. Bring an extra leash if you need more length. While your dog enjoys a good sniff around the tree, which has other dog urine fragrances, do some standing push-ups. Standing 1 to 2 feet away from the tree, hands flat on the trunk, heels up, so you are on your toes. Bend arms and lean in so face nearly kisses the tree, then push out. Try not to splay your elbows out. Repeat as many times as you can or until your dog needs a new tree to sniff..

Chairs and fitness balls. While putting your dog in a stand, sit or down – stay, bend at the waist and let your bottom touch the chair. If able, raise your arms by your ears, reaching toward the opposite wall in a completed airplane / chair sit. Your bottom isn’t sitting, simply touching. Do as many as you can. You can park benches too!

Play object exchange. In your fenced yard or living room, pick two or three favorite high ranking toys. Have your dog sit, stay or wait. Toss the Frisbee, ball or toy. Try to race your dog to it. It is okay to lose. Have her sit or down and wait. Offer up the exchange by tossing the other toy. Doing this outdoors can give you a workout. Plus, it can create a trusting relationship of your dog giving up one toy for another to you.

Outside play fetch but instead of standing still while your dog gets all the exercise, toss the Frisbee or ball and race your dog to it. You’ll probably lose, but still get some exercise.

Walking meditation. Have a peaceful, but longer walk with your dog. There is no timeline and intensity is up to you. While practicing nose to navel breathing, walk on.

Dance. Play some funky music of choice and dance with your dog. This does not have to be formal or perfect. The dog should not stand on their hind legs for long periods. Simple routines like walking forward, backward, side-stepping, twirling, zig zagging and grapevines will be fun for you and the dog.

What’s most important, whatever format you choose, is eat a little less, eat healthy and move a little more.