Exercising your dog this summer

After a long winter, summer is finally here, which means pleasant walks under the sun in the park, trips to the countryside, and strolls along the beach with an ice cream in hand. The summer can really put a bounce back in you and your dog’s stride, but do you feel that you could be doing more to exercise your dog? Walks are brilliant for the morning before the working day, but with the evenings now longer than usual, why not mix up your exercise routine for your dog and make the most of the sunshine?

There are some brilliant agility kits that include weave poles, high jumps, open tunnels, pause boxes, stop watch, award ribbon and start and finish lines. This is a great way of making exercise fun and interesting for your dog. Other agility toys that have proven popular among many dog owners include launch-a-ball mini, fire hose squeak ‘n’ fetch toy, and treat training tubes.

Incorporating exercise games into your dog’s routine is a great way of establishing who is boss and reinforcing discipline. However, there are also some great dog toys that exercise them mentally. Puzzle games that reward your dog, once he has discovered how to solve the puzzle, are great for encouraging your dog; you are exercising his mind, and he knows there is a prize at the end.

Puzzle games such as Plush Puppies hide a bird puzzle dog toy; IntelliBone’s puzzle pup and PUZZLE magic hat with rabbits are just a few that are available in pet stores and on the internet.  They are great for challenging your dog’s mentality.

Tug of war games are also perfect for building up your dog’s strength, while looking after his gums. With these activities, you are not only able to mix your dog’s exercise routine  and make things more interesting for your dog, you can also be doing great things for his dental hygiene at the same time.

Some dog owners love the Hi-Craft flavoured nylon products, which can be used from the puppy stage and throughout their adult life. With three flavours to choose from, some have said that it has prevented their dog from getting bored with the same tug of war games. These dog chew toys not only create a fun atmosphere for you and your dog to bond, but it also massages you dog’s gums and keeps their teeth clean.

This summer there are plenty of things you can do rather than going for two or three walks, that will not only make your dog’s daily routine more enjoyable, but yours too. What’s more these games are portable, so if you will be taking that trip to the country or along the beach, why not take them with you?

About the Guest Writer:  Thanks for our friends across the “pond.” “Exercising your dog this summer” has been written by Bonlays, one of the UK’s biggest dog lovers who provide pet owners a variety of toys, grooming products, clothing and carriers.