With gyms closed and memberships frozen, there’s never been a better time to workout with your dog.
The Coronavirus pandemic means that pet parents are spending the majority of their time indoors with their four-legged friends.
If you’re stuck at home with your dog in self isolation because of Coronavirus, we know how you feel.
Fitness plays an important role in our lives but the Coronavirus outbreak has left gym goers without their daily fix.
However, there are still plenty of ways to stay active at home, especially if you’ve got a canine companion who needs mental and physical stimulation.
Going for a run with your dog is an obvious option and a great way to pound out any anxiety or nerves surrounding the global pandemic.
However, if you’ve got dodgy knees or a history of ankle problems, you may prefer to avoid the unforgiving tarmac.
The good news is there’s still plenty of exercises you can do involving your dog.
This advice doesn’t constitute expert fitness advice so consult with a medical professional if you’ve got any concerns about doing one of these exercises.
In this article, I’m going to take you through 10 bodyweight exercises you can do with your dog at home. You can check out the full workout below:
1) Plank elbow to hands
Plank elbow to hands (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)
You start in a high plank with your dog on your back, provided they feel comfortable and safe. Slowly bend one arm to bring the elbow and forearm to the floor. Repeat the same movement with your other arm until both elbows and arms are resting on the floor. Next, push back up to the start position by slowly placing each hand where your elbows were. Be careful to maintain a tight core to ensure your dog is balanced on your back.
To view exercise, click here.
2) Doggie squats
Squat (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)
Cradle your dog in your arms provided they’re settled and willing to be in that position. If you’ve got two dogs, you can hold both into your chest. Start with your feet a shoulder-width apart. Your toes should be slightly out. Slowly bend your knees to drop your hips. When you have lowered down into the bodyweight squat, your kneecaps should hover over the tops of your feet.
To view exercise, click here.
3) Nose taps
Nose taps (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)
Set up in the high plank position. Provided your dog is trained with the tap or touch commend, raise one hand and issue the tap command. Keep your hand elevated until your dog touches your hand. Then repeat with the other hand. A great exercise to keep you fit and to train your dog!
To view exercise, click here.
4) Puppy push ups
Press ups (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)
Start in the low plank position. Either ask a family member or friend to place your dog on your back, or if your canine companion is trained in the lie down command, get them to lie down on your back. Slowly raise yourself up with your dog balanced on your back. Repeat.
To view exercise, click here.
5) Sit Ups
Sit ups (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)
Lie flat on your back with your dog in your hands. Slowly lift the torso to a sitting position with your dog held above your knees providing weighted resistance. Practice a couple of times to make sure your dog feels comfortable.
To view exercise, click here.
6) Toy pull across plank
Toy pull across plank (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)
A fun exercise to interact and play with your dog. Start in a high plank position with a toy placed to the side of one of our hands. Squeak the toy to get your dog’s attention. Play a quick game of tug of war before moving the toy across to your other hand making sure to keep your core tight. Repeat.
To view exercise, click here.
7) Wall ‘good boy’ sits
Wall sit (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)
Sit against the wall with you feet a shoulder width apart. You feet should be out from the wall. Your hips and knees should form right angles. Once you’re settled, get your dog to sit on your lap to provide weighted resistance. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat.
To view exercise, click here.
8) Reverse lunges
Reverse lunges (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)
Either cradle your dog or place on your shoulder provided they feel safe and comfortable (my Alaskan Klee Kai love to sit on my shoulders but this isn’t the case with most dogs). Take a step backward with your left foot. Lower your hips so you’re right thigh is parallel with the floor and your right knee is hovering over your ankle. Return to standing position. Repeat on the other side.
To view exercise, click here.
9) Glute raises to the Skye
Glute raises (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)
Place your dog on your lower stomach. Lie on your back with bent knees a hip distance apart. Your feet should be flat on the ground. Engage your core and squeeze your glutes as you lift your hips to a bridge. Slowly lower your hips back down to the mat. Repeat.
To view exercise, click here.
10) Chest press
Chest press (Photo: Life With Klee Kai)
Depending on the size of your dog or dogs, hold them in your hands while you lie on the floor with your knee bent and feet on the ground. If you’ve got two, you can use both arms. If you have one, hold your dog using your two hands. Slowly raise your arms and hands above your head. Lower your hands and dogs to complete the rep. Repeat.
To view exercise, click here.
