Top Activities For Dogs With Owners Who Like Yoga

Introduction

Yoga is a spiritual, mental, and physical activity with Hindu origins. It involves meditation, body postures, breathing control, focus, and relaxation. While yoga is very much for the human members of the family, did you know it can also be of benefit to your dog as well? What’s more, you can incorporate it and its tools into both your and your dog’s daily life. Whether you’ve had to give up yoga classes to spend more time with your dog, or you’re trying to strengthen your bond with your furry friend, you will find that there are so many ways to bring your two passions – yoga and dogs – into one. Why not give these activities below a try?

Doga

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Cheap

Normal

30 min

Items needed

Yoga ball

Yoga mat

Activity description

Doga, also known as Dog Yoga, is a real thing! It takes your love of dogs and yoga and creates one fun activity that you can do with your dog. You can either attend classes – which exist – or buy a yoga mat and ball and do Doga at home. It’s an all-weather activity, takes only 30 minutes, and is fun for both you and your dog. However, Doga is not a gimmick; it can have real benefits for your dog. It can reduce their stress levels – especially if they are hyperactive, strengthen the bond between man’s best friend and human, and help them to become more familiar and accepting of touch. Give Doga a try and you’ll either love it or hate it!

Step

1

Get in the zone

You can’t jump straight into Doga with the Downward Dog – all you’re going to do is terrify your poor pooch. Instead, you need to practice relaxed breathing, something that needs to happen naturally with your dog. Sit near them, cross your legs, inhale and exhale slowly, and massage your dog to help them relax. Sit still for two minutes until it looks like your dog is entirely calm.

Step

2

Chaturanga Dandasana

The Chaturanga Dandasana, which people also call the low plank, is something that both you and your dog can do together. It’s also a beneficial stance for your dog when they are trying Doga for the first time. To get your dog to perform Chaturanga Dandasana is simple. Have them lie on their stomach while you gently stroke their fur and massage their back.

Step

3

The Chair

If anyone walked in and saw you performing The Chair with your dog, they would think you’re crazy. Fortunately, you can tell them with honesty that it’s a beneficial exercise for your dog. To perform the chair, have your dog sit up on their hind legs while supporting them around their waist. Raise their front paws up and massage their shoulders while stretching them. This position can strengthen your dog’s back legs while benefiting their abdominal muscles and front legs.

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Push Ball

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Cheap

Normal

1 hr

Items needed

Yoga ball

Obstacles

Activity description

Push Ball is a fun game for dogs, originating in Germany, that involves one yoga ball, an hour of your free time, a yard, and a couple of obstacles. It also takes a dog with love for toys and a sunny day to create the perfect situation for a game of Push Ball. The game of Push Ball involves you standing at one end of your yard and your dog at another with the yoga ball. They then have to move the yoga ball, bypassing the obstacles, all the way to your location. For some dogs, it’s an easy task, but for others, it can be too hard to resist playing with the ball instead.

Step

1

Set up

To set up a game of Push Ball is easy. All you need is a spacious yard, two obstacles such as deck chairs, you, your dog, and a yoga ball. Position yourself at one end of the yard, the barriers at two points between you and the dog, and the ball and dog on the other side.

Step

2

Play

To get your dog to understand the game, you may need to include someone else who happens to be home. Your pup can be on the other side of the yard, while you can be encouraging your dog to push the ball toward the other person. Once they understand, you can remove the other person then set the game up for them to move the ball on their own. Each time they bring the ball to you, give them a treat.

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Stretches

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Free

Easy

30 min

Items needed

Toy

Treats

Activity description

It doesn’t matter whether you have a puppy or an adult dog, you will find that stretching with them can improve their health, mobility, and agility. If you include regular stretching sessions into their routine, you can even help with bone disorders and chronic joint pain as well. Just like humans, dogs can feel pain and discomfort in their joints and muscles. However, you can do your part – while benefiting your body in the process. Carry out these exercises in 30 minutes or less in any weather, and benefit from the knowledge that it’s fun, free, and you only need a distraction toy and a few treats. When you want to help your dog’s health, start stretching!

Step

1

Back stretches

Stretching your dog’s back is easier than you think, and only involves food to nail it on the first try. Stand on one side of your furry friend and make sure they are standing up as well. Put a treat in your hand and make sure they see it. Slowly move it from their eyes to their bottom, causing them to bend around in a C shape. After 15 seconds, give them the treat, then repeat on the other side until you have completed at least three bends for each side of the body.

Step

2

Chest stretches

Equally as important as the back is the chest, which you will know if you are a yoga fan. Dogs also have a great deal of strain in their chest area, which makes stretching the region relieving for your pampered pooch. Stretch away from the center by taking their legs near the wrist joints and gently opening them from side to side for a few moments. You can then massage their chest with circular strokes and light pressure.

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More Fun Ideas...

Massage

After stretches, walks, and Doga, you may find that all your pampered pooch feels like is a relaxing massage. Get them comfortable by having them lie on the ground, and begin patting their head with light pressure in circular motions. Move your hands down to their neck and repeat, before using the same force and movement on their shoulder blades.

Nature Walk

Sometimes to feel as relaxed as what yoga can offer, all it takes is a walk through nature. If you have half an hour or an hour to spare, grab your dog and take them for a stroll through flora and fauna in your area. The calm, peaceful, and relaxing environment can evoke a sense of calm in both you and your pampered pooch that regular walks through the city streets can’t offer.

Conclusion

There is no denying that dogs love to go for trips to the dog park, for swims to the beach, and to play with a ball in their backyard, but they can also enjoy the simple things in life also. Introduce your dog to a life of serenity and calmness with Doga, massages, stretches, and being at one with nature.