Ready...Set..Exercise (Your Old Dog)

Staying spry in the senior years

Angela Dinsmoor
September 27, 2025

In this week’s issue, here’s what we are sniffing out

Exercising old dog style

Walking is one of the best things you can do for your dog: it’s low impact, lets him move at his own pace, and fills his brain with information from every sniff. But if you’re both a little bored, and your senior pup is healthy, you can add in some simple exercises to keep things fresh. Always check with your vet first to make sure it’s safe.

These easy exercises can strengthen his body, stretch tight muscles, and improve balance and coordination. They also give his brain a workout. Best of all, you get a fun, new way to connect with your old friend.

9 at-home exercises to help keep your old dog spry

(shared by my friend Patti at Mile High K9 Massage)

Weight Shifting

Improves balance and coordination, builds abdominal and core strength.
With your dog standing on a flat floor, put your hands on your pet’s hips and gently shift the backend from side to side, being careful not to push too hard and the pet loses footing. Start with 10 seconds at a time and can build up to a minute.
For advanced weight shifting (as tolerated), place a pillow, cushion or balance disc under the front feet or place front feet on a step to bring weight back to the hind legs.
Continue to shift weight back and forth, as above.

Sit to stands (squats)

Builds strength and endurance of rear limbs when they have to push off with hind legs.
Encourage your dog to sit square by holding a treat in front of and up over their head and asking
them to sit; and then bring it back toward you, encouraging them to stand (this is when you would give the treat). Try not to step back too far as you want your pet to keep their hind feet in place. If your pet is holding one leg out, you can do against a wall putting the leg they hold out closest to the wall to encourage them to keep it in. Only perform exercise if form is good. Start with 2-3 reps and can build up to 5-10 (as tolerated).

Down to stands (planks)

Improves function, as well as strength of core and rear limbs. Stretches spine.
After putting your dog in a sit position, put them in a down position by holding a treat in front of their nose and bringing it to their feet. When they are down ask them to stand by pulling a treat forward away from their nose, just far enough to stand but not take a step. Start with 2-3 reps and work up to 5 (as tolerated).
To stretch the spine, put them in a down position and pull the treat out just enough so you see them extend their back, but don’t push off with their feet.

Cookie Stretches

Improves balance and spine mobility. Stretches neck, shoulder and core trunk muscles.
Stand at the rear of your pet and place your hand on the hip opposite the side you are stretching. Start by placing a cookie/treat in front of your pet and bring it around to the side, encouraging your pet to turn their head. If going to the right first, bring the treat around to the right hip, followed by bringing it to the knee and then to the toes (these all work different muscles). Repeat on the left side. Repeat 3 to 5 times on each side, as tolerated.

Cavalettis

Builds strength, endurance, balance and coordination. Provides flexion and extension of your pet’s wrists and ankles.
This requires props: Place cones on the floor about 4-6 feet apart. Thread PVC pipes, brooms or sticks through the cone holes on the ground so that they make low hurdles.
Start by having your pet walk on the lowest level. If using brooms and sticks, place them on the ground first. If they do well, you can then raise them a couple of inches off the ground (generally not higher than their knee). Try to go slow so that they pick up one foot at a time and not“bunny hop” over them.

Incline Hill Climbing

Builds rear limb muscle strength and helps with endurance. Promotes hind-end weight bearing.
With your dog on a leash or off leash, walk slowly up a gentle slope 2 to 3 times a day, 2 to 3 times per week.

Front Feet Up

Builds strength in hind limbs and elongates and strengthens core.
Have your dog place front feet up on step (only 1 to 2 inches off the ground), cushion or balance disc. Hold the treat in front of your pet slightly higher than the muzzle, having them reach out to get it (which will elongate the trunk and stretch the spine). Try to hold it for 5 seconds. Can repeat, if tolerated.

Home obstacle course

Builds strength, endurance, balance and coordination.
This can be done indoors or outdoors. Can use brooms, sticks, pillows, cushions or blankets laid flat to step over.
Can use objects such as cones, chairs, trees to do figure 8’s or weaves around. Use a treat to lure your dog over and around items, being careful to go slow.

Curb walking

Improves balance and weight shifting.
Find a curb and walk alongside it, having your dog walk up and over as you continue to walk.
This is having them step sideways and do a lot of weight shifting. Go slow and only do as tolerated by your dog. As they advance, this is another place you can have them put their front feet on the curb and hold for 5 seconds.
As with any new exercise routine, start slow and easy and build up over time!

Patti’s business serves the Colorado Springs and Monument areas - lucky you if you’re nearby! Check her out here: https://www.milehighk9massage.com