I hope that you all have had a wonderful week! So, today is the very first FitDog Friday Blog hop (woohoo)! "What's that" you might ask?!
My friends over at Peggy's Pet Place and SlimDoggy have come together to bring awareness to the health and happiness of all my canine friends! Did you realize that more than 52% of dogs are overweight or obese, according to the 2012 National Pet Obesity Survey?! That's an insane number, isn't it?! Well, just like humans, that number can definitely change...and who knows, perhaps a simple blog hop might tip the scale (to the left, not right...hehehe)!! ;-)
Here are a few fun facts:
- Wild dogs spend 80% of their day hunting and scavenging!
- Domestic dogs have been "working" alongside humans for thousands of years!
- Stray dogs and cats can travel between 20 and 30 miles, in a single day!
- Destruction, hyperactivity, and unloved behaviors can be attributed to boredom and lack of exercise!
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| Via AfricaFreak |
Wowee, honestly, I can't believe that our cousins are so physically active and, I'm guessing, fit! :-D BUT, if you are like me and prefer to spend most of your day curled up on the couch then running on a treadmill, have no fear! To be a perfectly fit and happy pup, you don't need to spend practically all day exercising...depending on your size and breed, most dogs need between 30 minutes and 2 hours worth of physical activity each day! Phew! Just remember, that's every day...not, when it's convenient or when there isn't anything good on TV or when the weather is nice! ;-)
So, what kind of exercise should you be doing? Well, it really depends on who you are, as a pup! :-D Hehe, could I answer a little more ambiguously?!
Here are a few suggestions and activities that I prefer to do:
Hike
Walk - Urban or Country
Visit the Dog Park
Play Ball - Fetch
Take Obedience, aka Mentally Exhausting Classes
Swim
Compete/Participate in Dog Sports & Agility
I love to be out and about and exercise, so these are just a few of the types of activities that I participate in! What about you guys? ;-)
I'm a big fan of doing what you enjoy...so, if that means that you love to play hide & go seek, well then, go for it! Are you a nose dog? Make a game out of finding different objects or treats (like my buddies Reilly and Denny) in boxes! How about a great stick game, like my buddy Goose?! Or maybe you love running with your Mom and Dad...take a look at Murphy and Stanley!
If you love what you are doing, then it won't feel like a chore or like exercise! ;-D
Thanks for hopping along the FitDog Friday trail guys...and if you want to participate (nutrition, exercise, anything health related), make sure that you check out Peggy and SlimDoggy!!
Have a great day everyone and make sure that you get a little fresh air and exercise!!
Ok Goose...I feel guilty now...gotta get Max out there moving a little more :)...great post...Ma could sure use the exercise!!!
ReplyDeleteMy exercise involves squirrel hunting. I can chase for hours and then have a good kip. I go to the park everyday unless the weather is really bad. I am a lucky pup. Have a fabulous Friday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
Goose, Thanks for joining our Blog Hop. This is a great post with lots of great and diverse ideas for keeping fit. It looks like you get lots of exercise and are able to get that variety we love? Good job - keep it up!
ReplyDeleteOh man, we love getting out and exercising too. Variety is the key! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThere are indeed many great ways to be out and about - but you know one of our most favorite when is picnics. We go to one of our favorite places ...go on a long walk to build up an appetite, have our picnic and then go on another long walk to burn off the calories. Dog oh dog - picnics are the best!
ReplyDeleteGoose, you're most definitely a fit doggie! You get so much exercise with your human, you make me look bad!
ReplyDeleteIt's also important to mentally tire yourself out so that you don't get into any trouble :)
Happy Friday!!
Thanks for joining FitDog Friday Goose! I love your tip--Do What you Love. Making fitness fun is important for both dogs and us humans. I'd prefer to curl up on the couch with a good book too most of the time, lol. But I have to get out and get active for my dog and for myself. Thanks for hopping!
ReplyDeleteHiking is awesome Goose! We're going again in 2 weeks - just blogged this week about my 7 mile hike last Saturday! I don't like swimming but I sure wish I could find an indoor place for agility. Great suggestions for keeping fit.
ReplyDeleteYour pal, Toby
Wow those facts were interesting! Hiking sounds fun and once the sun starts shining we'll be out there on the trails!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.beaglesandbargains.com/luna-is-ready-to-run/
Hey buddy, we live on more then an acre, so's we get lots of running and barking and runnin, then run some more when Dad comes home with chase me & ball playing goes for 30 minutes, or until he is tired! Loved the interesting facts!
ReplyDeleteThe Mad Scots
Isn't this just a great idea for a blog hop??? I love to hike and go for big walks...that's my exercise. Oh and we do play 'chase around the table" every evening until Ma gets dizzy. BOL
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!!
Oz
We go on long walks every day...sometimes twice. Don't mention that those wild dogs only eat about once a week...we don't want anyone getting ideas.
ReplyDeleteXXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy
Great ways to stay fit! I get walks, runs, flirt pole, agility, clicker training/free shaping, playing ball and tug each day!
ReplyDeleteNola
You are a great example of how us dogs are supposed to be active. Good job!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
This sounds like KP Kamp. Those were fun. We are going to have to sit out this year. I've got a bad leg. Maybe next year. Have fun
ReplyDeleteGreat post! We do everything you mentioned except swimming. Though I wish we could since salt water is the best natural flea control! Reading about all these fit dogs in this blog hop has been so inspirational. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteStaying fit has many importants! I proudly walks my correct-sized senior legs around the block, and sometimes I even runs out on the farm! I can run very fast - if i feels like it.
ReplyDeletelove,
reuben
I love to play football with Del (soccer in the US). We grab a football in the yard and he plays great defence! We make a game of it so he tries to keep hold of the ball and I try to get it off him. It's great exercise for us both :)
ReplyDelete