Dog Mobility Exercises: A Complete Routine to Keep Your Dog Moving
Keeping your dog moving well throughout their life starts with the right mobility routine.
Whether your dog is showing signs of stiffness after rest, recovering from a quieter period, or you simply want to support their joint health long-term - regular dog mobility exercises make a real difference. In this guide, we cover the signs of stiffness to watch for, the hazards that can catch dogs out on walks, and a simple pre-walk warm-up routine you can start today.
Signs Your Dog May Need Mobility Support
Getting up, running and jumping
Struggling to rise from resting, jumping up less, or seeming slow out on walks are all signs that your dog is feeling stiff as they come out of winter.
Tired, lazy, or grumpy?
Winter can make us all feel a bit sluggish, but if your dog seems to be lacking enthusiasm, seems grumpy, or can’t be bothered to get up and out, they might be feeling some winter stiffness.
Stairs
Do you feel like you have to follow them up the stairs and help them along, or are they bounding up ahead of you? If stairs feel like a challenge, then you might need to consider their joint health.
Self-care
This can go in either direction if your dog is feeling stiff. Either they’re not grooming some areas as they can’t reach, or they’re overgrooming areas that feel stiff. Look out for any changes to grooming behaviour.
If you ever have concerns about your dog's health, we recommend that you always seek advice from your vet.
Exercise Hazards to Watch for on Dog Walks
It’s super exciting when the sun is out, especially given how long it feels like since we’ve seen any. But there are a couple of things to watch for as we head out on those warmer spring walks.
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Slippery grass - Grass is still damp at this time of year, especially if someone is feeling brave and has got the lawnmower out. Watch for your dogs sliding and twisting as they run across the slippery grass.
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Off-road running - Spending less time in the park and more time in the open countryside means your dog will need to re-acustom to running off-road. Take it slow to start.
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Potholes - We’ve trekked through the mud for months, and as it dries up, it often leaves big holes and divots in the ground. These can really catch a dog out, especially if they’re running flat-out—they might jolt themselves as they speed along.
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Weekend warriors - Almost 50% of dog owners admit that they walk less in colder weather, so, now that it’s warmer, try not to go from zero to hero. Short walks all week and then an epic trek at the weekend. It can mean your dog is feeling pretty stiff by the time Monday hits
Pre-Walk Warm-Up: Dog Mobility Exercises to Do Before Every Walk
As you ease back into springtime exercise, it's useful to run through a short warm-up with your dog. It gets their muscles and joints ready for action and helps to reduce the likelihood of them injuring themselves as they blast across the park or through the woods.
Every dog is different, and the right warm-up will depend on their age, breed, and any existing joint concerns. The exercises below are commonly used examples, not a fixed routine. For a tailored warm-up plan suited to your dog's individual needs, it's always best to consult a veterinary physiotherapist.
You only need a couple of minutes and could do any combination of these exercises:
|
Exercise |
Target area |
Approach |
|
Side-to-side treat bends |
Spine, hips, ribcage |
A few gentle bends each side |
|
Play bow |
Shoulders, chest, back |
A few repeats, at the dog's own pace |
|
Step back |
Hindlimbs, coordination |
Short, slow steps |
|
Circle walking or weaving |
Shoulders, muscle activation |
Brief, gentle session |
|
Step over |
Full joint range of motion |
Low obstacles, slow pace |
|
Sit to stand |
Hindlimbs, joint strength |
A few repeats, no strain |
Side-to-side treat bends
Use treats to encourage them to stretch around to each side, bending and mobilising their spine, hips and ribcage as they do.
Play bow
Use a treat to encourage them down on their front legs in a play bow to stretch their shoulders, chest and back.
Step back
Ask your dog to take a few steps backwards to activate their hindlimbs and engage their brain with their body.
Circle walking or weaving
Walk slow circles, or weave between your legs to warm their shoulders and get their muscles primed for action.
Step over
Walk slowly over low poles or sticks to start them using their full joint range of motion and support their coordination.
Sit to stand
Ask for controlled sit-to-stand movements, and vice versa, to activate their hindlimbs and strengthen their joints.
When to See Your Vet About Your Dog's Mobility
Daily mobility exercises and joint supplements support your dog's long-term movement, but some signs warrant a vet visit rather than a home routine. Contact your vet if your dog:
- Is consistently reluctant to bear weight on a limb
- Shows sudden changes in mobility or gait
- Yelps or shows pain when touched around the joints
- Has visible swelling around a joint
- Shows no improvement after 4-6 weeks on a joint supplement
Building Your Dog's Long-Term Mobility Routine
Your dog is warm. Maybe you’ve even thought about a little stretch yourself. Now you’re ready to go on your springtime adventure. What can you do to keep your dog’s mobility at its best from here on?
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Gradually increase your walk distance
It might have dropped to a couple of times around the park, so don’t suddenly head out for hours at a time. Gradually increase your distance over the coming weeks.
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Work in hill-work
Where possible, start including some gentle hills into your walk. This is fabulous for strengthening muscles and maintaining joint stability. Plus, the views!
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Balance in the wild
You might come across wide, long logs out on your walk. These are great for your dog's coordination, core strength and strengthening the smaller stabilising muscles for overall mobility. Start with just putting their paws up on the log, and work up to balancing the full length of it. Of course, ensure this is safe to do, don’t use really high logs, and consider your surroundings.
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Avoid ball-flinging
It’s tempting to get a good fling on a ball with a ball thrower, but it encourages your dog to make rapid turns and puts huge braking forces through their joints, which isn’t great for their long-term mobility. Where possible, find other toys that they can enjoy, without lobbing balls across the fields.
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Give them a joint supplement that supports them year-round
Life-long joint support is what we are all about here at VetzPetzⓇ . Feeding your dog AntinolⓇ will set them up for a life filled with adventure. It is backed by over 25 years of scientific research and will support your dog’s joint health and mobility so that they can keep adventuring no matter what the season.
Ready for springtime adventures with your dog? Try AntinolⓇ Joint Care Pro with our 60-day, risk-free Starter Packs and see where your walks take you!
Frequently asked questions
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How often should I do mobility exercises with my dog?
Aim for a short routine before every walk. For dogs showing signs of stiffness or recovering from a period of reduced exercise, a daily routine morning and eveningis recommended. Keep sessions short, positive, and stop if your dog shows any discomfort.
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Why is my dog stiff after rest?
Stiffness after rest is common in dogs and can indicate that their joints need moreregular support. It can be caused by reduced exercise, age-related joint changes, or insufficient joint nutrition. A daily mobility routine and a joint supplement can help. If stiffness persists or worsens, consult your vet.
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Is it safe to exercise a dog with stiff joints?
Gentle, low-impact exercise is generally beneficial for dogs with stiff joints. Short walks on even ground, pre-walk warm-ups, and controlled mobility exercises help maintain joint function without overloading them. Avoid high-impact activities such as jumping, sharp turns, or ball throwing. Always consult your vet if you are unsure, veterinary physiotherapist can help you create a safe, bespoke exercise plan for your dog.
