Winter can be a tough time for many of us and it’s natural to feel a little down as we face the darker mornings and shorter, colder days. It’s very common to have lower levels of energy and a lack of motivation during this time of the year.

Whilst this isn’t the holy grail for beating the winter blues, owning a dog can have a massive impact on one’s general well-being and health. So you are already one step ahead of everyone else. In fact, a recent study by Petplan (May 2022) revealed that UK pet owners are 124% happier than the average person in the UK.

There are also fitness benefits from owning a dog. A 2019 British study found that dog owners are nearly four times more likely to meet physical activity guidelines than people without a dog.

So we’ve established that having a dog helps with general levels of happiness and fitness but how do you motivate yourself to put on your running shoes, get your dog’s Canicross harness on and head out onto the trails?

Here are 6 top tips to help you:

1. Set a (realistic) goal – it could be to complete your first beginner to 5k course or to run a certain number of miles over the next few months. Your aim may even be to be ready for a Canicross event you have entered.
2. Write your goal down and put it somewhere that you can see every day, eg your fridge. Breaking the goal down can also help. For example, Week 1, Week 2…
3. Make your Canicross runs fun – try and run with one or more friends if you can, even if they run dogless. This will also help you to commit to going for your run.
4. Pick routes you will enjoy and plan in advance – having a favourite place or area to run can make a big difference.
5. Lay your kit out the night before – this will help with any procrastination which, let’s be honest, we all face from time to time.
6. Make a promise to your dog – remember, they look forward to their runs and love nothing more than doing that with their favourite person. So you are doing it as much for them as for you.

If you are looking for any more motivational tips to get out with your dog, especially over the winter months, do check out our video below.

Happy Canicrossing

If you need help and advice for Canicross Kit, or more information about DogFit Canicross Classes, please get in touch. www.dogfit.co.uk

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