Is there nothing more frustrating than – in the midst of holding a downward facing dog pose – you get licked in the face by an actual dog?
Don’t shoo your dog away. Simply integrate these Fido-friendly exercises into your doggone regimen and make your pooch part of the workout.
The Spaniel Squat
Stand in front of your dog with your feet wider than hip-width apart, toes slightly turned out, and hold his favorite treat up with your right hand (make sure he sees it!).
Push your hips back to squat down and pass the treat under your left leg from your right hand to your left (letting your dog try to find it). Quickly stand back up and hold the treat up with your left hand. That’s one rep. Repeat 10 reps total.
The Labrador Lunge
Stand in front your pup with your feet together, holding a toy in your right hand. Step your left foot behind you and lower into a wide lunge, allowing your right arm to touch the floor so your pup can play with the toy for 1 count. Press back up to your start position. That’s one rep. Do 10 reps with your left leg and then switch sides for 10 more reps.
The Jumping Jack Russell
Crouch down on the floor in front of your pup, holding the toy or treat with both hands. Quickly jump up and jack your feet apart, landing with your feet wide and your arms reaching up into a wide ‘V’ with the toy in your right hand.
Jump your feet back together and land down in your crouched position again. That’s one rep. Repeat 10 times in total, alternating the hand that holds the toy every time you jump.
The Rottweiler Roll
Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet lifted, and hold the toy overhead. Roll onto your right shoulder, turning over on your stomach, and extend your legs behind you, lifting them off the floor. Lift your chest and bend your elbows to the ground, holding your pup’s toy in front of you. (If your dog knows how to roll over they can do this with you!).
Turn back over your left shoulder and return to your start position. Repeat 5 times turning to the right, and then 5 times turning over to the left.
The Pushon Pushup
Start in modified pushup position, with your dog’s treat under your right hand. Slowly lower your body into a pushup, and as you press up, extend your right arm (picking up the toy) and reach the toy up and out towards your dog.
Bring your hand back to the floor and repeat. Do 5 pushups with the right arm raise, and then 5 using your left arm.
The Pekingese Plank
Start in a full plank position with your feet wide. Pick up your puppy’s toy—or a ball—with your left hand and bend your arm across to the right so that your dog chases after it.
Once your pup is in front of the toy, extend your left arm out to the left side of your body so your pup has to go after it again (if your dog plays fetch, you can toss the toy and have them bring it back to you). Repeat 5 times with your left arm, and then 5 times with the right.
This move will tone your abs while your dog gets in a little cardio! Sit tall with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor and hip-width apart. Hold your dog’s toy with both hands out in front of them. Pull your abs in tight as you round your spine and slowly roll down on to your back, reaching your arms overhead and lifting your feet off the floor.