Active dogs make super fitness trainers

Motivation is magical, when it comes to exercise. Maybe it also makes us miserable at times, but those are usually the moments when we need the extra nudge.

Let me back up and explain that. I’ve never been much of an athlete, but I just ran a full marathon. And I credit my two high-energy dogs with a lot of the training oomph I received. There were many days when I didn’t feel like stepping outside to rack up mile after mile, but my Border Collie and my Lab mix didn’t let me get away with blowing off training.

These are my fitness trainers. Just try telling them we're not running today.

Having a dog means finding time for outdoor exercise, even when we don’t really want to.

Owning a running dog (or two) makes that all the more true.

I’m the stubbornly determined runner lady, who trots all over the county with two excited dogs leashed to my belt. They jog along together, matching each other step for step and urging me onwards. These two are good for anywhere from three to eight miles (depending on the weather and how far we went yesterday).

I leash the dogs and tell them, “Team up.” And they take their places.

My dogs know their positions. We run against traffic, if we’re on roadway shoulders. The Border Collie is always next to me (on the inside), so she can herd the Lab mix off the pavement when vehicles approach. (Yes, she is that smart.)

They also pick up my “I’m-going-running” cues. I can’t even slip into sneakers without them bouncing and panting all around me. It nearly breaks my heart to dash off to the gym and leave them behind on those non-outdoor training days. That’s how much they love to run.

Maybe some of that ready-to-roll enthusiasm will rub off on me. In the meantime, I’ll be wearing this performance wicking headband from Bondi Band. That’s our story.

Love this headband? Get 10% off at BondiBand with my RUNDERDOG code.

Image/s:

Fitness training dogs – personal copyrighted photo.

All rights reserved.

Product promo photos / fair use

Feel free to follow on Twitter. Please visit my Amazon author page as well. And I am happy to share my RUNDERDOG ambassador code for 10% off on Bondi Band Athletic Headbands, Accessories, and Fashions. (Simply enter the code at online checkout.).