6 Ways to Stay Active Alongside Your Dog Safely

By Dr Duncan Houston

Exercising alongside your dog can be enjoyable without asking them to copy a human workout. Your lunges, wall sits or floor exercises may be perfectly suitable for you while being confusing or unnecessary for the dog.

Choose shared activities around your dog's current abilities and keep your own movements separate when needed. Your dog should never become an exercise weight or an obstacle you jump over.

Quick Answer

Combine suitable walking, loose-lead practice, toy searches, short recall games and comfortable settling with your own activity. Keep footing secure, use manageable sessions and allow rest and water. Follow your vet's advice before starting a new exercise programme, especially when your dog's age, fitness or health changes what is appropriate.

1. Begin with an easy shared walk

Start at a comfortable pace and let both of you settle into movement. Allow appropriate sniffing instead of immediately adding a sprint or demanding continuous heel position.

Choose a route you can shorten. The weather, ground surface and the dog's condition on that day matter more than completing a predetermined circuit.

2. Practise loose-lead changes of direction

In a quiet suitable area, take a few steps, turn gradually and reward the dog for moving with you on a slack lead. Keep the pattern simple enough that neither of you is tripping or pulling.

This can add engagement to a walk without requiring side hops or abrupt pivots. Do not jerk the lead to make the dog match your movement.

3. Add a toy-search activity

Place a favourite safe toy where the dog can easily find it, then invite them to investigate. Increase the challenge gradually without using tight gaps, unstable furniture or inaccessible places.

Search games let the dog use their nose while you remain involved. Watch how they handle the toy and avoid items they swallow, shred or guard.

4. Play a short recall game in secure space

Two adults can take turns calling and rewarding the dog from easy distances. Keep the space enclosed and the surface suitable, and pause before the dog becomes overexcited.

Do not use speed as the only measure of success. A comfortable return is the goal, particularly for a dog with different movement needs.

5. Let the dog settle beside your workout

If you do wall sits, lunges or floor exercises, provide a familiar mat at a safe distance. Teach mat settling separately first and reward the dog for remaining comfortable while you make small movements.

Keep paws off your knees, chest and abdomen, and keep the dog clear of moving weights or equipment. If your activity worries or excites them, use a separate comfortable area rather than forcing participation.

6. Finish with a quieter routine

Return to manageable movement, provide water and allow rest. Check equipment and the dog for anything that needs attention after the outing.

The end of a session should not become another intense game simply because the dog can still be persuaded to chase a toy. Notice their own choices and follow any individual exercise guidance you have received.

How to choose a suitable starting point

• New to the activity: start with a familiar easy version and observe the response.
• Young, senior or returning after a break: ask your vet how to adapt activity rather than copying a generic workout.
• Health or mobility restrictions: follow the treating team's plan; this article is not a rehabilitation programme.
• Uncomfortable or unwilling: stop the activity and reassess rather than pushing to finish.

Keep sessions enjoyable and proportionate to the individual. There is no single duration, speed or repetition target that suits every dog.

Your practical action plan

1. Choose one familiar activity your dog already enjoys.
2. Check the environment, surface and equipment.
3. Keep the first attempt easy and include a break.
4. Record what was comfortable before planning progression.
5. Seek advice if ability, behaviour or comfort changes.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using the dog as added resistance during human exercises.
• Encouraging repeated jumping because it looks fun.
• Turning every walk into a high-intensity workout.
• Ignoring weather or footing to finish a plan.
• Assuming willingness to chase means the exercise remains appropriate.

Frequently asked questions

Should my dog copy my exercises?

No. A comfortable shared activity or resting nearby can be more suitable than copying human movements.

Can puppies join a workout?

Choose age-appropriate activity with veterinary guidance. Do not apply an adult fitness routine to a growing puppy.

Are step-ups or jumps suitable for every dog?

No. Suitability depends on the dog and the setup. Obtain individual advice rather than adding obstacles by default.

What if my dog prefers sniffing to jogging?

Use appropriate sniffing and exploration as part of the outing. Exercise can be varied without becoming faster or more intense.

The takeaway

Shared activity should work for both participants. Keep your dog's comfort and choices central, and separate human fitness movements from canine exercise when necessary.

ASK A VET™ can help you organise activity observations and questions for your dog's veterinary team.