Just as with human execise, warming up and cooling down is very important when exercising your dog. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to do any special exercises with your dog before your main fitness session, it’s mostly just a matter of taking it easy at the beginning and end of you and your dog’s exercise session.

Warming Up With Your Dog

If you’re going for a run, make the first five to ten minutes (or the first kilometer) a light jog before picking up the pace. If you’re cycling, too, go slower for the first kilometer or so.

Here are some benefits of warming up before exercising with your dog:

• Warming up can reduce the risk of muscle injuries and get your dog’s heartrate up slowly and gradually before exercise.
• It also increases bloodflow to the muscles and the heart before the more strenuous main session, which can also reduce cardiac injuries and sprains.
• Warming up with your dog before exercise makes muscles more supple and readies them for work, as well as increasing the elasticity of the ligaments.
• It lets the body know that its cardiovascular system will be working harder and requiring a greater oxygen intake.

Cooling Down With Your Dog

Cooling down after exercising your dog isn’t anything complicated. Consider taking a very light jog or a 5-10 minute walk after your main fitness session to cool down.

Some benefits of cooling down after exerising with your dog include:

• Cooling down allows the heart rate to gradually return to its normal, resting pace
• It allows your dog to ‘catch its breath’ as the oxygen intake requirements go back to normal
• Helps to remove lactic acid quicker, reducing the risk of stiffness and muscle soreness post-workout