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Is your dog a sports lover who relishes agility, flyball, freestyle, or disc dog competition? Or is she more of a couch potato? Perhaps she’s getting on a bit in years? Then your dog could benefit from a proactive approach to injury prevention. That’s where core conditioning—or Pilates—for dogs comes into the picture. In humans, Pilates exercises improve posture, balance, coordination, and range of motion, reduce back pain, alleviate tension, and reduce injuries. Similar exercises can do much the same for dogs. In addition to roll over, down dog (bow), and spin, one of the best exercises for canine core conditioning is the classic sit up and beg position (not advisable for Dachshunds or dogs with back problems). With all these, the trick is to start slowly and gradually build duration and flexibility. To learn more, search YouTube for “pilates for dogs” or buy a book or DVD with instructions.

Think cycling and dogs don’t mix? That depends. Yes, just holding a leash while riding a bike is a bad idea—one sudden dog move and you’re down. But if you love to ride and would like to share the road with your dog, you have other options. One is a specialized bike leash with a shock-absorbing spring device. A steel clamp attaches to the seat or frame of your bike, with a spring arm for the leash that reduces the impact of a dog’s sudden movements by as much as 90%. To find one, just search online for “bicycle leash.” For longer trips—or smaller, less athletic dogs—a better option is one of the many carriers or trailers on the market. Essentially a dog-ifi ed take on the child trailer, these contraptions have reinforced bases that increase stability and safety. Just do your homework and make sure you pick the best