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As a responsible dog owner, you’re always looking to keep your pet in good health. One way to do that is by creating and keeping up a fitness plan.
In This Article
Maintaining appropriate canine exercise levels can help prevent injuries, lessen the impacts of age-related issues like arthritis, and help dogs stay physically active for longer. Here’s how to create a dog-safe and goal-oriented fitness plan.
Key Takeaways
- Always consult your veterinarian before starting a fitness plan to ensure it’s safe for your dog’s age, health, and physical condition.
- Build your dog’s fitness gradually with structured activities, warm-ups, and consistent routines to prevent injury.
- Regular exercise like walking and guided training improves strength, mobility, and long-term health for your dog.
Get Veterinary Clearance Before Beginning
Make sure the exercise goals you set are safe and appropriate for your dog’s age and physical condition. Strenuous exercise isn’t good for young puppies, and it’s important to be cautious about how much exercise adolescent dogs receive while their joints are still developing. Large- and giant-breed dogs can still be physically maturing until they’re 2 years old. If you have a puppy, talk to your breeder and veterinarian about what kind of exercise (and how much) is appropriate.
If your dog has a history of orthopedic injuries or age-related health conditions, you may need to make additional adjustments to their fitness goals, as high-impact exercise may aggravate these underlying issues. Before setting any new exercise goal, schedule a check-up with your veterinarian to evaluate your dog’s overall health. Your veterinarian can identify any conditions that could limit your dog’s physical activity and work with you to create a proper exercise plan.
Depending on your dog’s veterinary history, you may be referred to a veterinary physical therapist or rehab professional to assess their overall muscle tone and fitness. That expert would develop the best conditioning or rehab routine for your dog.
Make Plans for Getting Active
When planning a new fitness routine for your dog, it’s important to be slow and thoughtful. Jumping in too quickly with exercise can lead to your dog being soreness and cause strains or injuries. Follow your vet’s advice on how to appropriately increase your dog’s level of exercise in increments.
If you’re already training your dog, many behaviors you’re likely already working on (such as pivots) are a great way to work on your dog’s fitness and coordination and build muscles.
Teach Doggy Push-Ups
This gentle warm-up is a fun way to practice basic obedience skills and increase your dog’s muscle tone. Ask your dog to move between the stand, sit, down, and stand positions.
If your dog doesn’t yet know how to change these positions on cue, use treats to lure your dog into the varied positions while they’re learning those cues independently.
Teach a Figure-8 Stretch
Before you go out and exercise, you likely spend some time stretching. The same should be true for our dogs. A gentle figure-eight stretch is also a fun trick that can count towards AKC Trick Dog titles.
- Your dog can start out either in front of you or behind you. Get your dog’s attention with small treats in each hand.
- With your dog focused on the treats, slowly lure your dog through your legs and around one leg. Focus on keeping your movements slow and fluid as your dog follows the treat and wraps their body around your leg. As your dog follows you, give them the treat held in that hand.
- Next, reach your other hand between your legs and get your dog’s focus on the second treat. Using that treat, lure your dog back through your legs and around your other leg. As they wrap around you, give them the second treat.
- After a few repetitions, your dog will begin to understand and anticipate the motion. At this point, introduce a verbal cue of your choice, like “eight” or “weave.”
- Once your dog is consistently weaving tightly in a figure-eight pattern, begin to fade the lure. Start by luring your dog without treats in your hands, then give a treat after they’ve finished the figure-eight movement. With practice, you’ll be able to stop luring, and rely on a smaller hand signal or verbal cue alone.
Participate in AKC FIT DOG
Consider adding some fitness titles to your dog’s resume by getting involved in the AKC FIT DOG program. AKC offers three FIT DOG titles—Bronze, Silver, and Gold. These structured and individualized fitness plans are designed for healthy adult dogs.
Walking with your dog is a safe way to increase exercise while improving circulation and muscle strength. To earn a FIT DOG magnet, consider one of these walking schedules:
- Walk at least 15 minutes per session, 10 times a week for three months; this is a good fit for senior dogs or those just starting to exercise
- Walk 30 minutes five times a week for three months
Be sure to keep track of your walks on the log form. You can also up for a canine fitness class with an AKC FIT DOG instructor, either in person or online. Completion of one of these courses also can count towards titles.
Are you looking to improve your overall health and fitness, as well as your dog’s? Start working towards your AKC FIT DOG title!
Designed to improve the health of both dogs and owners, AKC FIT DOG is the perfect opportunity for you to work towards fitness goals while participating in fun activities, like swimming, hiking, and community runs.
It’s not too late to sign up for the 2026 AKC FIT DOG Spring Scurry! The program runs through June 30 – get your fitness on with your dog and get your medal today!
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.