YuMOVE Wagletics: Exercise 1 The Ultimate Frisbee

Earlier in the week, we launched our YuMOVE Wagletics campaign alongside three Team GB superstars British 1500 metre record-holder and 5 x European champion Laura Muir , 3 x Paralympian and Rio 2016 silver medallist Lauren Steadman and 2 x European U23 champion Jemma Reekie and their dogs Chiwawa cross Dollie and German Shepherd Meric Belle.

#YuMOVEWagletics promotes doggy health and exercise, with all of the films that we will be sharing with you designed by Laura Muir, who is a fully qualified vet away from the athletics track.

Exercise 1: Ultimate Frisbee

The first exercise that we will show you is Ultimate Frisbee. This is a fun exercise that all dogs love and can be adapted for senior dogs with stiff joints

Watch as Paralympian and Rio 2016 silver medallist Lauren Steadman gives it a try alongside her German Shepherd Meric Belle on our Facebook page.

You will need a frisbee or a ball. You can make it more challenging for your dog by increasing the distance that you throw the frisbee, giving them a greater distance to run. 

Adapting for older dogs or dogs with stiff joints

Fetch or frisbee is also an exercise that can be adapted for older dogs who might be experiencing stiff joints. Simply replace the frisbee with a ball with nubs, that rolls slowly. Keep the game low-impact by rolling the ball to your dog or slowing down the ball to avoid your dog jumping, making fast turns or running too fast and falling.
 

Show us what you can do

Join in and attempt to complete these exercises while also sharing your own tips and tricks when it comes to keeping dogs active. Simply upload your  attempt at the doggy exercises to social media using #YuMOVEWagletics for a chance to win amazing prizes, including one-on-one coaching sessions from our athletes, product bundles and doggy toys.

Top tips when doing these activities

• Always keep hydrated – When exercising, it's important to ensure that your dog has access to plenty of water, if you're out and about with your dog, ensure you always have a bottle of water or a bowl for them
• Always keep cool - on hot days, exercise your dog during the cooler parts of the day, in the early morning and late evening. Watch out for signs that your dog is overheating, including heavy panting and loss of energy. If you recognise these signs when exercising, stop, find a shady spot, and give your dog water.
• Always warm-up – for safety, these exercises are best completed after warming up. Taking your dog for a 15+ minute walk immediately before agility, with the opportunity to run free or play with a retrieve toy or tuggy can help to reduce any risk of injury. It is preferable for the dog to be able to gallop and stretch all their muscles prior to commencing agility work.
• Consider when you exercise - For safety, we advise never to exercise your dog on a full stomach.
• If you have any concerns always speak to your vet - If your dog has any pre-existing health conditions or underlying injuries, always seek veterinary advice before completing any exercise with your dog

The Wagletics campaign will run across our Facebook and Instagram channels from 7th - 28th August. Lauren Steadman (@laurensteadmann), Laura Muir (@lmuiruns) and Jemma Rekkie (@jemmareekie) will also be posting content to their own Instagram channels. Each week, the nation will have the opportunity to learn a new exercise for their dogs and will be shown how to master it by our GB heroes.