Workout with a dog: the 5 coolest ideas

The neighbors have bought a dog: Butz, a poodle with a fluffy coat. They hope that the dog motivates them to exercise more. After all, he has to go out on a regular basis - no matter what the weather and whether the owner or master wants to do it. We know that dogs are good for our emotional and mental health. But do they actually bring more movement into our lives?

Haste a dog, have a reason

"Not necessarily buying a dog is not enough," says Alexander J. Probst from the International Dog Association. In the US, more than 4,000 dog owners were questioned about their walking behavior. Only 42 percent of them even go out with their dog, just over two hours a week. It would make sense two hours a day. This is not without consequences: The Leipzig sports scientist Professor Ulrich Hartmann tells of a congress in the US, in which heavily overweight pets were a big topic. And "even with us, the dogs are getting fatter," says dog expert Probst.

Regular gas tours are a first step: "With each walk we burn some energy and have a moderate fitness effect," says sports scientist Hartmann. But there is more: More and more dog schools and organizers offer programs to help dogs and moms get fitter. Some examples:

FOR WORKOUT FANS: GASSIFITNESS

If you want to get in shape with your dog, you can do workouts like "Gassifitness" or "Hundsfit". "Gassifitness" lasts 45 minutes, is aimed at human and animal beginners and combines walking intervals with fitness exercises. While mum in the stand scales keeps the balance, the dog brings a dummy. So both are required. Jogging is combined with strength training in the 60-minute Advanced Dog Fit. Both courses are suitable for all dog breeds. The offer of "fit with dog" is available nationwide in more than 50 locations.

FOR TRENDSETTERINNEN: OBSTACLE RUN

What fitness outdoor freaks obstacle courses like "Tough Mudder" are, for adventurous dog owners, the "Strongdog" run or "Camp Canis" events that are not just about the athletic challenge of cohesion, trust and fun. On the track there are obstacles for climbing over or crawling on humans and dogs. Also water and mud holes are crossed. There are distances between five and 21 kilometers, at "Camp Canis" also a three-kilometer children's trail. Information and registration: www.tough-hunter.de, dogandsport.de, www.campcanis.com.

FOR NATURE ENTHUSIASTS: MANTRAILING

A Mantrailer is a person detection dog, which searches for example a missing child or a demented person. The dog is led on the long leash, the holder goes behind. The training is very popular as a hobby. The distance to the "missing" is continuously expanded, even across the forest: "At first there are only ten meters, gradually increased to three to five kilometers and more," explains dog professional Probst.

The most important thing is the reward: "It must be something that the dog is crazy about, for example Leberkäse or Wiener sausages."There are 75 teams nationwide in the International Dog Association's search dog division. The amateur athletes record (www.hundeverband.info). And also local dog schools often offer mantrailing.

FOR ADVENTUROUS: DOGTREKKING

Dog trekking is a long-distance walk with a dog, for example, the participants tackle 80 kilometers in a maximum of 50 hours. The Doghike is about 40 kilometers, But there are also beginner and family routes with 20 to 30 kilometers. Bivouacking is allowed on the way.

Anyone who participates must be able to orient themselves with a map and a compass. Dog trekking events are usually not officially announced, interested people get an invitation (eg via Facebook). The most famous events: in the Harz (dogtrekkingharz.de), on the Zugspitze (lennyracingteam./ zugspitzdogtrekking) and in the Elbsandsteingebirge (hundwegsam.jimdo.com/ dogtrekking / elbsandstein-dogtrekking).

FOR RIDERS: BIKING OR JOGGING WITH A DOG

Gassigehen can easily be extended to jogging or cycling, especially if the dog is happy to run. Dog expert Probst advises to use special lunge with spring tension - and to prevent falls, never hold the dog on a leash or put the leash on the handlebar. Instead, one should use specially developed spirals, which are attached to the center of gravity of the bicycle and connected with a short leash. Important: So that the dog does not hurt the paws, drive only short pieces on tarred roads and choose better field and forest paths.

FIT WITH DOG - SO FOLLOWS?

Especially Beginners and professionals, who do not have much time, are better off with less moving breeds like Poodle, Labradoodle or Tibetan Terrier - but they also need at least two hours of exercise a day. The listed sports are in principle suitable for every healthy dog. You have to be careful with pug or French Bulldog, which often can not breathe well enough due to the short snout.

In addition, the dog should be at least 18 months old, so that his joints are resilient enough. Slowly increase the requirements, the dog should always be able to have a say in the speed. If he hardens hard or slows down, he needs a break.