More than walkies: the rise of canine fitness

For many dog owners, the daily walk is the gold standard of canine exercise. A lap around the neighbourhood, perhaps some sniffing at the park, and job done.

But a growing interest in canine fitness suggests that, for some dogs at least, staying healthy may involve more than simply clocking up steps.

In Singapore, for instance, one dog gym has taken inspiration from human fitness training, offering personalised programmes that include inclined treadmill work, swimming and post-exercise recovery.

According to a recent CNA report, Barker & Pooch, which opened in 2019, focuses on preventative fitness rather than rehabilitation. Dogs are assessed before training, with programmes adjusted according to age, breed, mobility and overall physical condition.

The aim is not to turn pets into four-legged athletes but to help them build strength, maintain mobility and stay active for longer.

One principle behind the training is that ordinary walking may not work every part of a dog’s body equally. The Singapore centre notes that dogs naturally carry much of their weight through their front limbs when walking on flat ground.

Incline walking can shift more of that load towards the hind legs, giving them a different type of workout.

Swimming provides another form of low-impact exercise, while cooling and recovery are particularly important in tropical climates because dogs can overheat before their muscles are fully challenged.

The idea of canine fitness is not unfamiliar in Malaysia. In 2024, D’Gym Pet Fitness and Services offered a mobile Klang Valley dog gym operating from a converted food truck equipped with air conditioning and manually powered slatmills.

Its founders said the service was aimed partly at busy owners, apartment dwellers and people with high-energy dogs who struggled to provide enough exercise themselves.

Malaysia also has a growing canine rehabilitation field, including Paws Rehab in Subang Jaya, founded by certified canine rehabilitation practitioner Sydney Chik. The centre uses hydrotherapy, underwater treadmills and therapeutic exercises for pets recovering from surgery or dealing with conditions such as osteoarthritis, neurological problems and obesity.

While this is not quite the same as preventative fitness for a healthy dog, the overlap is revealing. Exercise can be about much more than burning off excess energy: it can also be healing.

So, is walking enough?

For many healthy dogs, regular walks remain an essential part of physical and mental wellbeing. They provide movement, stimulation, opportunities to sniff and explore, and valuable time with their humans.

But what counts as “enough” depends on the individual dog. Breed, age, body condition, health, temperament and energy level all matter.

A young working breed may need far more stimulation than an older companion dog, while an overweight or arthritic pet may require carefully controlled activity rather than longer or harder exercise.

There are also simple ways owners can add variety without signing their dog up for a gym membership. Gentle slopes can work different muscle groups, while swimming may provide a lower-impact alternative for suitable dogs.

In Malaysia’s climate, longer walks are best kept to cooler parts of the day, with plenty of water and rest. But if it’s hazy, keep them indoors.

Of course, recovery matters, too. Quality sleep, appropriate nutrition and lighter days between harder activity all play a part in keeping dogs active.

The bigger lesson may be that exercise should not be viewed simply as a way to tire a dog out. Done appropriately, it can help preserve strength, mobility and confidence – qualities that become increasingly valuable as a beloved pet grows older.

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