Dog fitness is not just a new trend, but an important factor in keeping dogs healthy. Veterinarians warn that there are more and more dogs that are seriously overweight. This affects the heart and kidneys, the animal feels uncomfortable and automatically moves less. Dog sport can therefore help to keep your four-legged friend and yourself fit.

Tips for your dog’s health

A dog is not just overweight when visible signs of obesity become noticeable and, for example, the ribs under the fur are no longer visible and are covered with a thick layer of fat. You often notice the lack of fitness when the dog no longer enjoys exercise, quickly gets out of breath, and would rather lie at home than play in nature or do fast sprints. But dog fitness should not be neglected if you care about your dog’s health. You should also know home remedies for dog poisoning and toxins for dogs to protect your dog’s health.

That’s why dog ​​sport is worthwhile

A good half of all dogs are overweight. And this isn’t just a problem for city dogs. Their peers in rural areas also struggle with obesity. Because the daily stay on the property is not enough for good fitness. Long walks and dog sports are therefore important. Otherwise, the problem of being overweight can shorten the dog’s lifespan. If the excess weight is severe and the dog is proverbially “lazy”, you should therefore consult a veterinarian and trainer and start with more dog fitness.

Increase dog fitness with sport

There are several ways to train that you and your dog can both enjoy. You can also stay fit in everyday life and do your health good. Already active exercise in the forest and in the open field can help to reduce obesity and improve health. You should not let bad weather stop you and look for the way into nature every day and for several hours. Swimming and long walks at a brisk pace are ideal in summer.

1) Parkour with the dog

In the cold season, you can support dog fitness by opting for special training, such as parkour, at the dog training area. The training units are designed in such a way that the dog uses all muscle groups with regular activity and thus converts accumulated body fat into muscle mass.

2) Agility as a dog sport

Another popular type of dog sport is agility training. Agility means mobility. Thus, the training aims to overcome obstacles in a short time, as the example exercises in the video show. At the same time, mutual trust is strengthened and communication between you and your dog is improved. And best of all, it’s fun for everyone. Huskies and Australian Shepards in particular love this sport. Please also note our guide to buying a puppy.

3) Dog fun with Debility

Unlike dog sport agility, dignity is not about time. The focus here is on endurance, concentration, and muscle building. This type of dog fitness is therefore particularly suitable for overweight and older dogs. You can design debility parkour yourself or complete it in a dog school. To ensure that your dog gets to the dog school safely, follow tips on driving safely with a dog.

4) Obedience is a dog sport

Obedience means obedience in German. Accordingly, this dog sport is all about perfect communication between you and your dog. Together as a team, you show that your dog understands the commonly spoken commands and carries out all the ‘commands’ without any problems. This dog sport is suitable for all dog breeds and especially for dogs that need mental activity.

5) Mantrailing and tracking

To get your dog moving more, you can try tracking or mantrailing. Here the nose work is required. Because your dog should recognize a track or an individual smell and look for it. This can be done outdoors or indoors. It is important that your dog moves a little and enjoys the search.

Good dog nutrition is important

Not only more exercise is important for dog fitness. A good diet also prevents obesity. It can also prevent vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. As a result, health starts with the diet: too fatty food or food unsuitable for the breed or the activity of the dog harms the animal. Reaching for cheap offers often turns out to be a mistake and leads to the dog eating a lot more due to a lack of nutrients and accordingly gaining weight and body fat. Therefore, you should pay close attention to the content of the food and follow the manufacturer’s tips on the quantity according to the weight of the animal.