Health, Wellness and Fitness for People & Pets April 2015 | Page 42

with your Terrier

hang ten

and do the

downward
downward dog
with your Doberman
Fun activities for you and your dog to try together

s

pring has officially sprung—and
it’s the perfect time to explore
new activities you and your dog can
do together.
The American Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) advises that
daily exercise for your pet provides fun and
many benefits, including helping timid
dogs build confidence, helping to reduce
or eliminate behavior problems and
helping keep dogs’ weight under control.
To maximize activities with your dog, it is
important to keep safety in mind and to
select activities that your dog enjoys – or
is at least willing to try. For example, not

Beth Stultz, Pet Sitters International

every Labrador retriever loves to swim
or run along the shoreline at the beach.
Also, remember to consult with your
veterinarian before starting your dog
on any new exercise routine.
Yoga for dogs—or Doga, as it is
called—is one owner-dog activity that
has grown in popularity over the last
few years. In a Doga session, massage
and meditation are combined with
gentle stretching for dogs and their
owners. Doga instructors report that
as pack animals, dogs are a perfect
match for yoga’s focus on connection
with other beings. Dog owners can
even buy instructional DVDs for Doga

sessions to try at home from sites such as
www.dogadog.com.
People-dog workout groups and fitness boot
camps are also springing up nationwide.
When personal trainer Dawn Celapino got
her Cairn terrier, Jack, in 2005, she felt bad
leaving him at home to go to the gym. So,
she created a new workout routine—and
a new personal training business model—
incorporating balls, bands, hand weights,
playground equipment and benches in an
outdoor setting to allow owners and their
dogs to work out together.
“Any dog trainer will tell you that your
dog will behave much better when he is