Written by Nat Smith, Rover.com community member. Rover is the nation’s largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers.
They say that dog owners live happier, longer lives. One big reason? Dogs can help you get out more often, stick to your workouts, and stay upbeat while you’re at it. How can your pet help you overhaul your fitness routine? Check out these tips from Rover.com.

#1: Enjoy Nature
Gyms can help us get regular, efficient exercise…but they do nothing to salve our souls. The further we remove ourselves from nature, the more isolated we feel. Taking daily walks with your dog can help you reconnect with the sounds and sights of the natural world.
Your dog will fixate on the small things (like squirrels!) you’d otherwise overlook as you go about your day. Pets can help us connect with the larger world, adding peace and mindfulness into our daily lives.

#2: Change Your Routines
If you have a young, active dog, they’ll love getting out for runs. When you see how happy they are getting to run by your side, you might be motivated to lace up and get going–even if you’ve never been a runner.
Maybe you’ll give up your Saturday Netflix binges for day hikes on nearby mountain trails, or peaceful walks around a tranquil lake. Or your afternoon slump will give way to tug-of-war at the dog park.
Slowly, you’ll find your regular habits supplanted as you find ways to get–and stay–active together, building a closer bond with your pup and keeping the two of you in great health.

#3: Up Your Happiness Quotient
Pets improve our mood, and so does exercise. What happens when we combine the two?
Working out on our own can sometimes increase our stress–because we zone out, worry about work, or otherwise remove ourselves from the present moment. Dogs can help us stay grounded and focused, and the fact that we’re taking care of their needs helps us feel even better.
Your dog’s infectious joy will also prompt you to be more social when you’re out and about, so the benefits just keep multiplying.

If you don’t yet own a dog, start thinking about it! But if you’re not ready to take the plunge, become a dog-sitter via Rover.com to enjoy the benefits in the meantime.
Find me on social media 🙂 :
My little buddy Scout demands 2 hours of play every evening.
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Absolutely agree with everything you’ve shared! My dog definitely motivates me to spend more time outside, exercising and enjoying nature. She also adds such a great level of happiness to my life. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
That’s great ☺👍🌷
I would become a pet owner, but I am scared of dogs or cats. I like them and I find them cute. In fact I participated in raising awareness for pets and stray animals in my university but I have had some bad experiences with dogs so I am very wary of them
Maybe one day…☺🌹
Love the photos, they are so adorable! I have thought of owning a dog, but I can’t walk far so it would be very unfair to a dog. Great post!
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You could always look at a senior dog. I volunteer with a rescue and there are a lot of older, “settled” dogs who make great companions and are low maintenance! My own rescue is crippled and can’t easily walk far.
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I never thought of that, oh, oh!
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As if I needed another reason to want a golden retriever (who I’ve already named) – maybe one day! 🙂
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Wow… I love the pictures.
Thank you! ☺🌹
So very true! I love having a dog!
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Great post!! All so true. There is NO substitute for near daily walking/hiking, even with the best indoor workout program in the world.
So often Stella will give me the “look” pleading for some outdoor time, and who could refuse that? Off we go!
That’s great!
I can’t wait to have a house with a yard so that we can get a dog (:
Yes, that’s a great idea girl! ☺🌸
Dog is always a great company during exercise,😄 it motivate you and also give you confidence in every environment😍
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Thanks🤗
Good points, in your article, Ula. 😉 I recently interviewed with Rover, here in The San Francisco Bay Area, and they seemed like a really good outfit, who know what they’re doing. I could recommend them to anyone looking for an interesting career choice.
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I love this! How do I contact you if I want to write content for your site?
Hi Susana, my email is on the left ☺: simpleula@hotmail.com ☺🌸
I love dogs, a very interesting post and beautiful photos with so cute dogs.
Greatings Sigrid
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Agree all round! 🙂 Dogs rule 😉
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Haha… So true… And they make the entire experience so beautiful and so them. It becomes special if we see it. 😜
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One of my favorite things–take my dog with me and go have a “forest bath.” Very good for de-stressing. 🙂
That’s great! 😃🌸
I really love dogs. When I needed to train for my current job, my loyal Nika trained with me. They are always with you and never let you down.
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Hello Ula, I’ve nominated you for Sunshine Blogger Award, this is the link to my post on your nomination, rules and questions. https://liveandlove17.wordpress.com/2018/01/27/sunshine-blogger-award%F0%9F%8C%9E-my-1-nomination%E2%98%BA%EF%B8%8F/ <3
Thank you so much for the nomination! ☺🌼
You’re welcome 😚
Oopsie looks like I commented on one of your old posts for the award nomination 😝
Anyways I’ve nominated you for a liebester award I’d love it if you checked it out:-)
Thank you so much! ☺🌼
I know my dog helps me get out and exercise often 🙂
And that is great! ☺🌷
I really like your post on exercise and dogs. Followed you on bloglovin’.
Thank you!
This is so true 😛
Cheers, M & Bear
http://www.pawprintsandmint.com
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Hello! you are one of the amazing blogs I followed and been checking your posts since i followed you so I nominated you for the sunshine blogger award. Please check it out https://missdlblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/29/sunshine-blogger-award/
Aww, thank you so much for the nomination, I really appreciate it! ☺🌷
Nice work!
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Your welcome:-)
Great Content! 🙂 Keep up the good work!
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Thank you so much for sharing this post!
Hi Ula,
Great point. Dogs are a blessing from the Lord to keep us plugged into life and health.
Thanks for sharing,
Gary
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Animals do well in all respects, congratulations for the post.
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I really need to get myself one,I’m missing a lot of fun
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Great post, but I only love dogs as puppies. Don’t know if i’ll own one some day though.
if you don’t mind I nominated you for The Sunshine Blogger Award, kindly accept it by clicking the link https://wp.me/p2KeCs-me then you can nominate other bloggers too.
Aww, thank you so much for the nomination! ☺🌹
You are welcome 😊
I’ve had several dogs, all of them rescues. Because I believe with a rescue, when you love them they know the difference. Dogs teach us much about unconditional love. This is why I’ve often asked myself why ‘dog’ is ‘god’ in reverse. Nice blog post, and pictures too. Enjoy your day.
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So cute I am literally dying. Lol.
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So, dogs do more than provide emotional comfort–they can keep you fit!
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Totally agree. My local dog park requires a mini 15 minute hike, also playing fetch and running is mandatory. I burn at least 800 kcal extra a day because I have a dog.
That’s great ☺🌻
Great post! Totally agree!
Thank you so much! ☺🌼
Thank you for sharing my post!
Ah! These images warm my heart! I also couldn’t agree more – dogs are perfect for getting us up and moving. My bestie and I always walk our fluffy friends on the weekends: https://yesmaam.blog/2018/02/18/must-love-dogs-mission-bay-morning-walks/ Feel free to give my blog a look ❤
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I have a rescue dog who is crippled and can’t easily walk far, but we do short walks every day, and I take him biking and kayaking! Dogs are the best!
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Good one
Thanks!
So true!! I always look forward to the warmer days so I can take my little guy out for a nice trail hike 😄
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Reblogged this on .
Thank you so much for sharing my post!
Thank you so much for sharing my post!
Yes, I agree! Dogs do make us healthier and help us live longer! Also, I love your doggy pictures 🙂
Thank you, but the pictures are not mine ☺
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Thank you! ☺🌼
Thank you so much for sharing my post!
Lovely post
Thank you! ☺🌻
Oh so true. Enjoyed your post.
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Dogs make exercise a lot more fun. I love watching how excited my dog gets whenever we are out walking/hiking.
That’s great! 🌺🙂
This is exactly what I want to share with other people whenever they ask me why they should have a dog. Since my dad gave a dog as a birthday present, I have realized that my lifestyle has changed tremendously in a positive way. I used to wake up really late, and I tried to linger in my bed as much as I could in order to maintain my beauty sleep. That all changed the day I became the owner of Zip – my dog. I had to wake up at 6 AM every morning to walk him around the neighborhood so that he can release his energy. Initially, that daily routine was a nightmare to me. However, I realized that I gradually become fit, and I sometimes tried to run with Zip. In this way, I could take a break in the middle of a busy life to savor the beauty of nature that I tended to ignore. Besides, it also has the ability to assist both my physical and mental preparation for a new day. My advice is also similar to the one in the post: exercise with your dog!
Thank you so much for your comment! 👍