How to make Yoga fun if you have a pet dog.
If you are looking for a way to have some fun with your dog, yoga may be the answer. Many benefits come from practicing yoga with your pet. Yoga can help lower blood pressure and relieve stress levels in both humans and dogs alike!
It also helps improve flexibility, balance, and focus, which are essential skills for any dog owner. In this blog post, we’ll give you five tips on how to do yoga with your pup so that everyone can enjoy themselves while getting the exercise they need! Let’s jump right in, shall we?
Join a Dog Yoga Class
If you’re in an area where dog yoga classes are offered, we highly recommend joining one of these fun fitness sessions. You’ll get a good workout, and it will be great to meet fellow dog owners who share your interest in this type of activity!
Not to mention, you don’t have to worry about figuring out how to do yoga with your dog. The instructors will be leading the class, so all of your attention should be focused on following their directions and simply having fun!
Get the Right Yoga Gear
While there is no need for expensive equipment when practicing yoga with dogs, a few essentials are worth investing in; for example, make sure you have a natural yoga mat to practice on when you and your dog lay down on top of it. Depending on the type of dog yoga you’re doing, you can also purchase some unique straps or leashes for this type of activity.
Dog clothes are also beneficial. For example, if you’re doing yoga with your dog in cold weather, then make sure they have a sweater or coat to keep them warm and comfortable during the activity.
Practice Dog Yoga at Home
If there aren’t any dog yoga classes in your area, or you can’t afford to attend a class, try practicing it at home. All you need is a dog yoga instruction book, some space in your house and a yoga mat.
However, remember that it may not be as easy to teach your furry friend yoga at home. To get your dog to be good at it, you’re going to need a lot of patience and persistence when training them the movements, especially if they’re new to it.
But don’t give up. There are several ways to make the most of your sessions and enjoy the activity. These include:
- Allow your dog’s curiosity to lead the way
- If you have a small-sized dog, lift him during the poses so that he feels included.
- Do yoga stretches with larger dogs because they can handle the movements better.
- Rest together during natural poses.
Finally, make sure you include some fun activities into your routine to keep both of you interested. For example, try doing dog yoga one day and walking together the next day as an alternative activity. This way, your dog will learn that there are no hard feelings if he doesn’t get to do yoga with you, but it’s also an enjoyable experience when you both participate.
Don’t Force It
Your excitement to do yoga with your dog may cause you to push him too much, which might be a little overwhelming for him. If you’re doing yoga with larger dogs, don’t expect them to go through all of the positions and movements that people do because they can’t handle it or feel safe in such an unstable position.
Instead, use simple stretches to know what you are trying to do and learn to trust yourself. Build up the time that it takes for him to stretch as well. Remember, not all dogs can do yoga!
Choose A Suitable Spot and Reward Your Dog
You want your dog’s first experience with yoga to be a positive one. Therefore, don’t choose an area with too much going on or other distractions around them such as other animals, children, or loud noises. It will be challenging for your dog to concentrate on what you are doing in such spaces, and it may not be fun at all!
Pick a quiet area where they feel safe and secure. You also want to choose an area with a grippy surface so your dog doesn’t injure themselves if he falls or jumps around too much. A grassy field works well for this, but you can use carpet, wood flooring, tile floors, etc., as long as it is not slippery.
Don’t forget to reward your dog with plenty of praise and maybe even a treat after each yoga move. Doing so will help to reinforce this behavior, and your dog will enjoy it more. Not to mention, it will help to keep your dog’s attention longer.
Wrapping Up
Dog yoga is an excellent way to bond with your dog. It is also a great way to get some exercise in and help them stay healthy too! If you’re interested in trying dog yoga, but you’re not sure how to go about it, the tips in this article should help you out.
Remember to ensure your dog is comfortable with all the poses you’d like to attempt before introducing any new exercises! Practice makes perfect, and soon enough, both of you will be pros in no time at all. Have fun in your next yoga session!
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