On the Road Again! Indoor Exercises when Traveling
When traveling with your dog don’t neglect his fitness training. To live a Healthy Canine LifestyleTM your dog should be getting 20 to 60 minutes of exercise each day and whether he needs to lose weight or is simply maintaining a healthy fitness level that means consistency, at home and on the road.
There are several physical and mental reasons to continue your dog’s exercise when traveling the primary reason however is stress relief even if he loves to go with you. Excitement and broken routines add stress to a dog’s life. Exercise is a great way to help relax your pet and make him have a sense of routine in new surroundings.
If you have to leave your dog at the hotel for a tour or dinner he will be calmer if you maintain his fitness routine and of course exercise encourages him to fully eliminate before your big night out.
For your early morning exercise you can explore the city together. Be sure to ask your hotel staff about good routes so that you can avoid hazards such as loose dogs, heavy traffic, broken glass, etc. Your dog will love exploring all the new scents and sights in the new location with you. (Don't forget to pack your poop baggies and collapsible water bowl.)
Aside from a 30-minute brisk walk or trot there are other simple exercises you can do inside your hotel room:
Sit Up: Sitting up to beg for 10 reps will help strengthen your dog’s core muscles improving balance and stability. Those core muscles are used for walking, trotting, jumping and many other actions so it is important to strengthen them regularly.
Roll Over: Roll over is another good exercise for core muscles. Do 4 to 5 rolls each direction so you are targeting muscles equally.
Shake Hands: Shaking hands is a nice stretch for the shoulder muscles but be sure to do both front paws 5 to 10 reps for a balanced workout.
Commando: Your dog crawls on his belly for 10 feet following a healthy, low-fat treat. This is good for rear end, shoulders and core muscles.
Tug of War: Playing tug of war with a toy or towel is a great indoor exercise for strengthening the rear end, shoulders and abdomen. Remember not to lift the dog’s head back when playing tug of war. Don't use the hotel towels for dog play. Bring your own toy or towel.
If your dog isn’t currently on a regular fitness program at home then keep the traveling exercise to a brisk walk to release his energy. Learning fitness training is stressful enough on its own and should be done in the dog’s regular surroundings.
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