Rover.com, the UK’s leading dog sitting and walking platform has teamed up with personal trainer and body confidence influencer Chessie King to launch the PAWsonal Training Plan, a workout that dog owners and their pups can do together.  

The cold February weather can be a deterrent to keeping fit, but this new workout, which launches just in time for National Walking the Dog Day, contains new, fun ways to vary your own exercise routine and tips for how to keep your pup mentally and physically stimulated. The PAWsonal Training Plan includes a range of moves designed to improve strength, balance and cardio for humans, whilst keeping your dog active.  

The workout launches following research which reveals three-quarters of dog owners say that pups make great workout companions (73 per cent) and that exercising together improves their mood (79 per cent). A further 60 per cent say it doesn’t feel like a workout when they exercise with their dog and 79 per cent say working out together strengthens their bond.  

In fact, having a dog has been proven to keep you fit. The research reveals that dog owners exercise twice as much as those without (four and a half hours a week in the winter, compared to just two hours for non-dog owners).  

Chessie who has been appointed as the ‘PAWsonal Training Expert’ for Rover.com recently became a pet parent to a cockapoo named Hugo. This role brings together her love of fitness and dogs for the first time. From agility training to strength exercises and even a bit of doga (practicing yoga with dogs), this unique series will be the ‘ultimutt‘ full-body workout.  

Chessie King, PAWsonal Training Expert for Rover.com says: “Having recently become a dog owner myself, I’m acutely aware of the challenges that come with looking after a pup. Whilst Hugo – the newest member of our family – is a bundle of fun, ensuring he stays happy and healthy takes a huge amount of time and energy. I find we bond best when we’re playing and having fun, which are the elements I bring to my workouts. 

“It’s important to vary your exercise routine so you don’t both become bored. This workout will give dog owners inspiration for how they can mix things up. Pups make the best workout companions and exercising together not only keeps you both active but also strengthens your bond.” 

Rover.com has launched an exercise calculator to help give pet parents some guidance. The tool, which is free to use on the website, allows dog owners to input information about their dog’s age and size, in order to calculate approximately how much exercise they need daily. 

Five signs your dog isn’t’ getting enough exercise 

1.     Destructive behaviour is a primary sign you have a bored or anxious dog and exercise is one of the best solutions   

2.     If your dog is constantly engaging in rough play then they may have an excess of pent-up energy 

3.     Dogs gain weight when they take in more energy than they can use; in other words when they eat too much and don’t exercise enough. Obesity is especially common in older dogs, who naturally slow down as they age 

4.     If your dog has trouble sleeping through the night then it may be a sign that they have energy to burn, so tire them out with an exercise routine or a run around in the park  

5.     Some dogs will bark or whine if they don’t get enough exercise; this is their way of expressing their anxiety or boredom vocally 

For anyone looking for help exercising their dog, Rover.com has thousands of experienced dog walkers available across the UK who can offer a helping hand.