Most dog owners are aware that dogs love to play and run around. From puppy zoomies to agility courses, dogs need their exercise and will find it wherever and whenever they can. However, the dog isn’t the only one that can benefit from physical activity. Us human dog owners can also join in on the fun and stay fit in the process. We’ll go through some of the ways you and your Staffy can exercise together, strengthening both your bond and your bodies.
- Brisk Walks
This is something more people should be doing in general, since we’ve become increasingly accustomed to sedentary lifestyles. A simple brisk walk for 15 to 20 minutes should be an activity you do everyday. It can help decrease risk of heart disease, is effective in maintaining a healthy weight and has been shown to improve mood, cognition, and sleep quality.
It’s good for your dog since it allows them to sniff around and experience both physical and mental stimulation. Dogs love to explore and learn about the world around them, and being able to take in the smells of the neighbourhood is akin to them reading the morning newspaper. Walking your Staffy is usually done a couple of times a day to let them go potty, so it’s a great way to accomplish two things in one trip.
- Agility Courses
Staffies are natural athletes, and their physiques are well suited to dog agility courses that test a dog’s balance, speed, and intelligence. You don’t have to be trying to compete, so the rigorous training required to have your dog do this with just verbal commands and hand gestures isn’t necessary. Bringing along a flirt stick or a treat is usually enough to get your Staffy running through the course – so long as you’re ahead of them!
Staying ahead of your Staffy, on the other hand, is going to be a challenge for most people. Keeping a flirt stick or treat out of their reach will require you to be both fast and agile, all while keeping an eye on where you’re going. We suggest going through the simpler parts of an agility course such as a low hurdle or hoop. More complicated obstacles, such as the weave poles, can eventually be done if you and your dog find agility courses fun and want to push yourselves.
- Jogging
Much like simple brisk walking, your Staffy will likely love to go jogging with you. The idea is the same, only you’re doing it faster. This will mean your dog won’t get as much opportunity to stop and sniff, but they’ll get more of a workout. Just be sure to watch out for signs of your dog getting overheated, and put dog shoes on them if you’ll be running on hot surfaces.
- Tug of War
Staffies are, pound for pound, some of the strongest dogs out there. They’ll give most humans a run for their money in a game of tug of war, so a 10 to 15 minute play session should give your arms and back a good workout. This is also a great opportunity to conduct some obedience training with your Staffy, as you’ll have to periodically get them to let go of the toy you’re using for tug of war. This is a good idea so that your Staffy learns that you are in control of when the game happens – if they follow your commands and stay calm, then they get to play.
- Fetch
This is another great opportunity for training, as your Staffy will have to catch or find the toy, bring it back to you and then drop it at your feet. Most people will use a ball or frisbee, but you can really use anything durable that’s safe for your dog to pick up and carry in their mouth. One variation of fetch that can really turn into a good workout is fetch-and-tag, where you throw the toy for your Staffy to catch, then when they’ve got the toy you try to run away from the dog. It takes some doing to get the dog accustomed to trying to catch you while they’re carrying the toy, but it’s a great exercise for everyone involved.
