Exercising and trying to make time for yourself is one of the most common New Year's resolutions. It's a complicated resolution because it requires effort, and especially at this time of year, the weather isn't very cooperative.
ARISTOPET proposed eight resolutions for you to do with your pet at the end of 2018. Two of them were to spend more time with your pet and to exercise more. How are you doing with your resolutions? Are you achieving them?
In winter, days are shorter and it gets dark earlier. It's a bit harder to go out and exercise after working all day, especially with the cold weather. It's recommended to exercise to clear your mind, disconnect, and activate your metabolism.
In addition, if you find it hard to go running or walking alone, a good alternative is to exercise with your ARISTODOG. It's a really positive way to strengthen the bond between you and your ARISTOPET. It also helps you improve your mood and happiness, and it's a good way to disconnect.
4 tips for exercising with your ARISTODOG
1. Go for a walk
If you're not passionate about exercise, a good option is to go for a walk. Walking requires a faster pace than just strolling. You need to maintain more or less the same rhythm and try to have your pet follow you.
If your dog is medium or small-sized, you can't go too fast; you have to adapt to them, as their strides aren't very long. Keep them on a short leash, but always make sure they're comfortable, or use a leash that you can tie around your body. It's recommended to walk for about 30 minutes a day.
2. Go for a run
If walking bores you and isn't enough, go running with your dog. When making this decision, you need to consider your dog's breed, because, just like with walking, there are small or medium-sized dog breeds that cannot run for long periods because they get tired. Never force your pet to do something they don't want to.
When going for a run, it's best to use a leash that you can attach to your waist or chest, so that both of you can maintain the same pace and the leash doesn't get in the way. It's even recommended to use a harness or a special canicross harness to avoid hurting your dog.
3. Ride a bike or skates
Another good option is to go biking or skating, but this depends on whether you enjoy it and have the equipment for these two types of sports.
When biking, you need to be very careful and use a short leash, long enough for both of you to move comfortably, but not so long that your dog can cross in front of you. There are special leashes; don't hesitate to check them out for both of your safety. They would also work for skating. It's super important to go at your pet's pace, keep in mind that you go much faster on a bike. Therefore, never force them.
Even if your dog is small, there are accessories you can attach to your bike to go for rides together. You can add a basket, a carrier, or a trailer.
4. Activities
On days with better weather and more time, you can go to a park to play. You can bring their favorite toy, a ball, or a frisbee. Play fetch, hide the ball and have them find it. You can even set up a circuit among trees and walk through it with your dog.
Depending on how long you exercise with your dog, it is advisable to bring a bottle of water or a specific or portable container to give them a drink, all for their health.
ARISTOSHOP, ARISTOPET's online store, has many accessories for exercising with your pet; don't hesitate to visit the page.
Exercising is healthy, and if you do it with your ARISTODOG, it's even more rewarding. Together, you will enjoy the experience even more. Tell us on social media how you exercise with your pet.