We are an active family. Mom is a runner, all of us dogs have run for at least part of our lives, we walk several times a day, do nose work, obedience work, chase and wrestle, and more. Staying active is important for dogs and humans, but cardio workouts are especially important for good health! Before you start any new workout programs always check with your vet to make sure you are healthy enough, and make sure you have the proper attire! It’s not what you do, but how you look.
Working out, especially cardio workouts used to be simple. Mom, Katie and I ran in the morning and then took two walks later on, but a couple years ago it was getting hard for Katie to run, so she retired. This meant I would run with Mom, and then Mom would take Katie for a walk in the morning. We did our other two walks together. This past year has really presented challenges as Katie has had a lot of issues with her Osteoarthritis, and Bailie joined out family. Now we have 1, 7, and 12 year old dogs plus an active Mom. How do we keep up our fitness?
Mom gets up earlier every year and has less time, because we all seem to have a different workout program. I enjoy a run now and then, but am not an avid runner. Bailie just started running with Mom in May, and Katie is still walking but not the distances she used to, and she has slowed down. Four mornings a week Bailie and Mom run, I join in once a week, maybe. After the run, the other dog(s) gets a 20-45 minute walk at the fastest pace they can muster. On walk only mornings Katie joins about once a week. What used to be an hour is now about 75 mins as she has slowed down, but we are happy she is along, so we accommodate her. If Katie stays home, Bailie and I get a fast hour walk in and then Mom walks Katie for 20 mins or so after. Midday walks are Bailie, maybe Katie and/or I will join. We all take our evening walk together. Besides walking and running we have our classes and playtime. Although it seems like Katie isn’t getting out much, think of your Grandmother and her energy level. Older dogs can’t do as much as younger dogs but we try to keep Katie doing as much as she can handle. It sounds confusing, but it really isn’t.
It is time consuming to accommodate all our needs individually, if we were similar ages it would be much easier. If you are considering adding a dog to your home, you need to take into account the time required to get in a good workout, especially cardio workouts. Mom is willing to give up extra hours each day to make sure we all get proper exercise. In the end it benefits her as well. Below is a great infographic from DogTread about why cardio workouts are so important for dogs.
I’m joining the FitDog Friday Blog Hop hosted by SlimDoggy, Peggy’s Pet Place and To Dog With Love! Share your story with others and find fun, new fitness ideas too!
I said it before and I will say it again, you have the best amom in the world. You are so lucky she is taking suck good care go you.
She says we don’t always appreciate things since we always lived this way, but I think we are pretty spoiled and lucky.
It is so great all you girls get out and get some exercise. Love the info graphic, thank you for sharing. You all look so cute in your workout clothes.
How you look is always important. The first impression cannot be erased 😉
Wow, you make me tired listening to that schedule. But, I know what you mean, when you have different aged dogs, or ones with an injury, you have to accommodate their needs. Luckily Jack & Maggie are about on the same level, so it’s made my life a little easier. Great to see the girls decked out in their workout gear 😉 Thanks for joining the Hop.
Our biggest issue is Mom is so busy wearing us out, when she is done, she is worn out, but she can’t nap with us. She has to work – LOL!
Looking so cool there in your workout tops. It is not easy as you say having dogs of quite different ages and different needs and you have to make time for each one but it is all good and as you say keeps the humans fit. Have a fabulous fit Friday.
Best wishes Molly
Thank you. We like to be fashionable at all times if possible.
We get in some running workouts in the backyard, too. We chase each other, the various critters, and get exercise that way, too. We also have fun playing ball and frisbee. This all adds to our walking cardio.
You guys probably do get lots of cardio playing ball. We don’t like those games. We do get several chase games in most days which is great too. Bailie and I get some serious speed going.
We all get plenty of cardio around here. Have to keep healthy, don’t we?
You guys are awesome too with all you hiking in fun places. It makes you feel so much better too.
That was relly great info! Thanks for sharing! We try and jog most times when we are out on our walks. I have learned to do walk/run intervals which has been great in working myself up to a full out jog or run session.
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Walk/run is the ideal way to start out running. Just one mile at a time, it gets easier and having dogs with you keeps your mind focused on them, not on your run 🙂
You GO, girls! Absolutely pawsome! XOXO Sparkle the PBGV
Katie wants a Jane Fonda workout video for her birthday. I want to see her in leggings 😉
Great info! Maybe once my two finish growing I’ll try them as jogging partners. They love to sprint around the backyard with us, but a structured run isn’t on their list of favorites 😉
You have to make sure they are old enough to run with you as you don’t want to damage a growing puppy body. Then the most important thing to teach them is to stick to one side and never cross in front of you. Mom has been injured many times by dogs that cross in front of her and trip her. Make it a fun run, go places they like to go where they can see squirrels or wabbits, talk to them, point out stuff, most dogs are just bored but you have to make it fun for us.
We love to run, but mom……not so much 🙂
At our house, we tend to have the opposite problem!
Emma, I do NOT know how your mom juggles all your exercises and still has time to do anything else! She must be a Super Mom! *high paws* to her.
Have a terrierific weekend!
Oz
We get up at 5, and she tries to have it all done by 7:30, but then she is tired out too. If she could, she would run and walk all day long with us. We like to get the big stuff out of the way early so it is behind us and in the summer it is much cooler.
I’m dizzy just reading that. Right now Penny needs a lot of frequent but short walks while Eko prefers runs and long walks that Penny can’t join just yet. It’s a balancing act and undoubtedly more time consuming, but hopefully we’ll transition Penny to long walks and runs over the next year.
We always take puppies on our long walks, but carry them on and off. It only works up to a certain weight point, but Mom sees it as a good upper body workout as long as it lasts. Mom has always run with us and left the puppy home, it is good to give Eko his alone time and teach the puppy to be on her own as well. It is time consuming for sure, though!
Rock it girls!! Looking stylish and getting fit!
That would be us 🙂
we are just walkers here – Mom;s old knees can’t handle more then that but we do walk for hours and hours 🙂
Walking is great, a lifetime activity. My mom has injuries now and then, so we just walk more when that happens.
I agree it’s not easy to manage 3 dogs with different needs.But your mom organized it very well! I have two humans with different needs, and antsy mom and a lazy dad, think I need a plan :o)
Give them that look and they will melt and have to take you out for some fun!
I’ve fostered dogs of different ages and energy levels, and it is sometimes challenging to work in two different exercise sessions for the two dogs. Like you guys, I tended to mix it up. I would do a walk with both dogs and then run with a high-energy foster dog. Or, when fostering an older dog I would do a short walk with both dogs in the morning and then take Ace for a longer walk later in the day.
I’ve definitely had to arrange my schedule at times to get up early enough to get a long run in with certain dogs. It’s worth it though because it’s healthy for me too!
Mom ends up being the one that is most worn out, but she is happy. She loves the exercise and we do too!
One of the ways we’ve been trying to combat obesity in ALL of us is by using the bicycles. We added the Woof Trotters to our bikes so the Boys can come along too when it’s not that hot. They both love it, and we’re able to explore trails and parks together. Gotta keep everyone fit and healthy. Thanks Emma.
That is great. Katie did some running along the bike in Germany, but Mom didn’t like it, so that ended that. Main thing is you are out getting a fun workout in.
What a great post but a super hectic schedule for your mom! I laughed pretty hard at you girls in your workout clothes. You look pleased with how great you look, Bailie looks tickled by whole thing, and poor Katie looks miffed. I love when you dress-up!! Huggles, Bentley XXOO
Katie likes to be a fine lady and hates to look ridiculous. Bailie and I find the crazier the look the better! Mornings are pretty busy from 5am to around 8:30, but then thing settle down and the day relaxes a bit. We are all happy to be getting out and exercising. Someone has to burn off all that energy Mom has.
We get our cardio workout by ripping and running through the house!
My cats do that too, and sometimes we chase them for added workout points.
I live to run, Emma. Isn’t it great how you feel afterwards? Mom’s not a runner, but she makes up for it with all the other things she does (or did (for a while)).
I enjoy a run on occasion, but I am happy to pass the running work on to Bailie for the most part. My mom tires me out as it is. She is a bit like a drill Sargent!
Your morning sounds similar to ours. First we all got out for about a quarter mile walk with Damien. He is getting old so that is all he cares to do now. Then Veruca, Ava, and I head out for another mile and a half or more. Repeat the process in the afternoon. No running for us anymore.
The running has decreased because of the time it takes to get us all out and exercised and Mom has had some injuries, but she is hoping to keep it up once again. All the exercise is good for all of us.
First of all, you all look mahvoulus! How on earth your mom keeps all of your fitness schedules straight is beyond me. She must be super woman! Love Dolly
She loves to work out. Her biggest problem is she tires out dogs easily, so now with three of us she has a better shot at finding one willing dog at any given time.
I know how challenging it is to have multiple dogs with different needs. Your Mom does so well, Emma! I am still trying to figure things out now that Kobi is gone, which changed things again, and then of course adding a puppy like you did. I’d feel great if we could do half as well as you all do.
Maybe it’s the cute outfits we’re missing – LOL? BTW, have you tried the K9 FitVest? I keep thinking I should get one for Sheba. We don’t run because of her arthritis, but I wonder if the vest could help make her walks a bit more intense without jarring her joints any more.
We are on the fence about the vest. Hate to get one and not really like it. We have the fit bone for some core work at least.
Your mom is the best! You guys are so lucky!
You guys have a super mom too 🙂
The littles are a little too small to run, but they all enjoy good walks… since mom is not a runner (anymore) she will bike with the bigger girls as they jog!
Not everyone is a runner. Lots of people bike, but walking is awesome too. Just moving is the important piece.
It is wonderful that you all get out to exercise. I understand what you are saying about having three dogs with different exercise goals. It can be difficult to get all our dogs out to work, you almost have to make a schedule.
We do kind of have a schedule as it is not easy to juggle us all and get Mom to work on time.
Wow! Your mom has her hands full! I will definitely be thinking of her on the days I have trouble motivating myself for 1 hour-long walk with Barley!
Mornings from 5-8am are pretty busy around here, but there is no need for coffee, no time either. We are out on the road getting our blood going!
Your mom is super dedicated! Kudos to her.
She is kind of a fitness freak and organizational freak. We don’t mind usually.
You all look great in your sporty attire. Your mom does well to balance all your exercise requirements.
It keeps her busy and you know what they say? A tired out mom is a good mom 😉
Absolutely!! It can’t be stressed enough how important it is to keep our bipeds exercised!
That’s a good graphic! Is it usual for multiple dog families to range in age? I guess it makes sense since you sort of phase in younger pups when along the way? But that does sound like a lot of work with their different metabolic rates!
I think it just depends. None of us were really planned real far ahead of time. Ages closer together are easier to work with and tend to be better buddies with each other, but it all works with any ages.
Katie does not look fond of her exercise gear. Great advice. We do our cardio workouts separately here because some dogs and humans like to run and run and run and others like intervals.
We all do have our favorite things and strong points. Katie doesn’t appreciate looking silly like Bailie and I do, but sometimes we have her join anyway. 🙂
Woo!! Mom is busier than I am. Luckily Delilah adjusts her pace to Sampson’s in the morning because i don’t think I could squeeze another walk in. It is difficult sometimes trying to make sure that everyone’s needs are met. You have a really good mom, Emma.
We keep her worn out. A tired mom is a good mom, they say.
Emma, I have to say I searched for this post and wanted to come back to it. I am a fitness and schedule freak too so I wanted to re-visit this post now that I have Remy who needs a long walk (running eventually) and Ace who needs a shorter walk.
I think you and my mom are a lot alike! Even with just the two of us now, half of the mornings Mom does her run with Bailie and a longer walk with me. With more than one dog, and different ages, it is bound to happen. At first it seems like a time consuming mess, but actually, if you run first, the walk after is a nice cool down, and you get more workout too!
Are you guys up around 5 on the weekends too?
Sometimes we sleep in until 5:30. Mom used to sleep til 8:30 or so but like the day she turned 35 she says she started waking up every day at 6. With age, it has gotten earlier and earlier. Even if she stays up really late, she is wide awake at 5! We are all used to it and actually enjoy the peace of early morning.
You’ve inspired me to get up early this week to walk/run the dogs first thing!
Awesome! Remember, it usually takes a few weeks to get into the habit, so don’t give up! I think you are the type to push through, but wanted to mention that. Later in the day when you see others our running, you will feel so good having already done it hours ago!