When exercising your dog becomes a chore it is very easy to let it slip from your daily to do list. Avoid the temptation to put off exercising your dog by making exercise time fun. Exercising your dog should be something you enjoy. It is a great time to bond with your dog and it is a necessary part of your job as your dog’s caregiver. Your dog needs you to ensure that he is getting the proper amount of exercise so that he is healthy and fit. So, instead of making exercise time something you dread, make it something you can’t wait to do every day.

Make Exercising Do Double Duty

When your dog exercises you can take care of your own exercise needs at the same time. Kill two birds with one stone, as the old saying goes. There are many different activities that you can do that will get both you and your dog in shape.

Fetch is a classic game that, if done right, will give you and your dog a nice workout. You should stand while throwing the object to be fetched. Try using a tennis ball and tennis racket, if you have the space. This will give you a great upper body workout and put some distance on the ball so that your dog can really run.

Walking or jogging are other great double duty exercises. If you already do a walking or jogging routine as part of your own fitness plan, than just start bringing your dog along. Walking is perfect for older dogs and a good jog will really help energetic dogs burn off that excess energy they have stored up.

Make Exercise a Social Thing

Another great way to make exercise fun for you and your dog is to make it a social affair. There are no rules saying that you have to exercise your dog alone. If you live near a dog park then give that a try. You can meet other dog owners and your dog will get the chance to socialize with other dogs. You might also try to meet up with a friend or neighbor who also has a dog and you can exercise the dogs together.

Find Something you Both Like

One of the keys to making exercise fun is to do something you like. Your dog is more likely to have a great time exercising and really get the best benefits from it if he is doing something that he enjoys. Try out new things and see what you both like the best. Maybe you will find that the best exercise is just playing around in the backyard. Whatever you do is fine as long as you get your dog moving every day.

Exercising your dog will help him to live longer, be healthier and improve his behavior. Your dog will be a better dog if he just gets the exercise he needs. Long days at work and all the demands of daily life can often make exercising your dog one of the last things you want to do, but as a dog owner you have to be responsible. You are in control of his health. To avoid problems like obesity, some behavior issues and health problems, you dog must get exercise regularly. So try to make it something fun, so it becomes the highlight of your day and something you never want to miss out on.

^{Thanks for the great article, Kelly. Oh My Dog Supplies is an online dog supplies store that stocks everything from dog beds to ceramic dog food storage containers.}