Four Week Dog Fitness Challenge for Healthy Pups
How would you like to have fun and help keep your pooch in shape? Our four-week dog fitness challenge is designed for puppies, adults, and senior canines of all shapes and sizes. We know that exercise is beneficial for our own health, and fitness is equally important for dogs.
However, in this busy day and age, it can be tricky to find time and the right activities to keep you and your dog enthused. That’s why we’ve teamed up with our pals at Blue-9 Pet Products to have fun while entertaining and exercising your dogs!
Not-so-fun fact: Dogs are facing an unprecedented health crisis. Studies show that over half of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese, leading to a ton of preventable health problems, including diabetes, joint disease, and shortened lifespans. Keeping dogs at a healthy weight and including fun fitness into everyday activities is one of the easiest ways to protect their long-term health.
At any time during the year, dog moms and dog dads can refer to this easy, effective dog fitness challenge as bonding activities you both will enjoy. Let’s get started.
Want more motivation? Join our Club Cocker Facebook group
How the Dog Fitness Challenge Works
This canine fitness challenge lasts four weeks and it can be done at any time. If you need an indoor routine during cold or rainy weather, refer to this fun challenge. If it’s hot outside or your dog has cabin fever, it’s a great way to help them stay alert, engaged, and moving around.
As a proud brand ambassador of Blue-9, our Four Week Dog Fitness Challenge for Healthy Pups is designed to be simple and fun, no matter your dog’s age or fitness level.
- Dates: The challenge runs for four weeks.
- Where is the Challenge? The fitness challenge for dogs is laid out below, week by week. You can start at any time.
- Who Can Join: Puppies, active adults, and senior dogs are all welcome, as each week’s activities are adapted for different life stages.
- Weekly Themes: Over four weeks, you and your dog will explore challenges focused on balance, strength, agility, and tricks.
- What You’ll Need: You can use Blue-9 gear, such as the KLIMB, the KLIMB Jr., or Propel, for extra variety, or stick with everyday household items as alternatives.
- Prizes & Recognition: All participants can download a Fidose of Reality/Blue-9 Dog Fitness Challenge certificate to celebrate their participation and commitment to a healthy lifestyle! The certificate will be posted on this blog post on October 29, 2025, so you can download and print it and show your dog!
- Can I Show You Video or Images of My Dog in Action? Sure! We would love that. Use hashtag #FidoseFun on Facebook or Instagram, and we will share on our stories on Instagram.
- Where Can I Purchase Blue-9 gear and learn more? At the Blue-9 website, use code FIDOSE20 for 20 percent off most items.
- You can also learn more about each piece of Blue-9 equipment we use and recommend by visiting these links:
Note: If your dog has any pre-existing health conditions, consult your veterinarian before proceeding with this or any fitness routine.
Week-by-Week Dog Fitness Challenge Schedule
Each week of the challenge focuses on a different theme, from balance and strength to agility and tricks. Activities are tailored for puppies, adults, and seniors, with options to use Blue-9 gear (like the KLIMB or Propel) or simple household items you already own.
Pro Tip: Use high-value rewards such as the low-calorie Blue-9 Training Treats at two calories a piece or your dog’s favorite toy. Never yell at your dog or become impatient. This is meant to be fun for both!
Week One: Balance is the New Fetch
Goal: To build your dog’s body awareness, stability, and confidence.
- Puppies Use the KLIMB Jr. or a stable low platform. Cue your pup to place front paws only on the surface. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds, then step down and reward. Repeat 3 to 4 times. Keep sessions short (1 to 2 minutes).
- Adults Practice sit → stand → down cycles on the KLIMB for 30 seconds. For extra challenge, place the Propel in wobble mode and cue a stand to test balance and engage core strength.
- Seniors: Lower the KLIMB (legs off) or use the KLIMB Jr.. Encourage stepping on and off slowly. End with a calm “stand and hold” for 10 seconds. Gentle, low-impact, and joint-friendly.
No gear? Use a yoga mat, folded towel, or stable, low step.
Week Two: Power Up the Paws
Goal: To build your dog’s forelimb strength and focus.
- Puppies: Ask for “paws up” (front paws on the KLIMB Jr., back paws on the ground). Hold for 3 to 5 seconds, then step down. Repeat 3 times. Treat every calm step as a chance for your puppy to learn controlled movement.
- Adults Practice sit → stand → down cycles on the KLIMB for 30 seconds. For extra challenge, place the Propel in wobble mode and cue a stand to test balance and engage core strength.
- Seniors Lower the KLIMB (legs off) or use the KLIMB Jr.. Encourage stepping on and off slowly. End with a calm “stand and hold” for 10 seconds. Gentle, low-impact, and joint-friendly.
No gear? Use a stair step, ottoman, or your arm for “paws up.”
Week Three: Agility for All Ages
Goal: Burn energy, improve coordination, and boost confidence.
- Puppies: Simple 2-step course: step onto the KLIMB Jr. with all four paws → step down and walk over a towel on the floor → finish with a sit on a mat. Repeat once or twice. No jumping.
- Adults: Practice sit → stand → down cycles on the KLIMB for 30 seconds. For extra challenge, place the Propel in wobble mode and cue a stand to test balance and engage core strength.
- Seniors: Lower the KLIMB (legs off) or use the KLIMB Jr.. Encourage stepping on and off slowly. End with a calm “stand and hold” for 10 seconds. Gentle, low-impact, and joint-friendly.
No gear? Use a sturdy step, broomstick, towel, or blanket to create stations.
Week Four: Tricks for Treats Training
Goal: Add mental enrichment and celebrate progress.
- Puppies: Use the KLIMB Jr. as a training stage. Teach a simple trick like “touch” (nose to hand), “shake,” or “spin.” Keep sessions short (1 to 2 minutes) and reward every small success. For puppies, make it simple and get excited like they just won Best in Show at Westminster when they succeed.
- Adults: Practice sit → stand → down cycles on the KLIMB for 30 seconds. For extra challenge, place the Propel in wobble mode and cue a stand to test balance and engage core strength.
- Seniors: Lower the KLIMB (legs off) or use the KLIMB Jr.. Encourage stepping on and off slowly. End with a calm “stand and hold” for 10 seconds. Gentle, low-impact, and joint-friendly.
No gear? Teach tricks on the floor with treats, toys, or a towel “mat.”
What If I Want More Advanced Exercises for My Dog?
Fortunately, our friends at Blue-9 have a variety of exercises and challenges. When training or exercising your dog, always build progress and momentum slowly. Introduce one new exercise at a time, watch your dog’s form, and stop if there’s any sign of discomfort. These advanced moves can be a lot of fun with and physical enrichment once your dog is ready. Each dog is different, just like people.
Level 1: Enhanced Balance and Shift
- Use the KLIMB (or KLIMB Jr.) to challenge balance. Ask your dog to shift weight side to side or forward/backward while keeping paws in place.
- From “Building Skills with the KLIMB and Propel Platforms,” Blue-9 suggests stepping on/off different platform angles to build coordination and flexibility.
- Try front paw targeting on KLIMB (putting only front paws up) to activate forelimbs and core strength.
Learn more about building skills with the KLIMB and Propel Platforms.
Level 2: Strength and Core Integration
- Incorporate the Propel Air Platform: have your dog place two paws on Propel and two on the KLIMB, creating a split-platform stance that forces core engagement.
- Blue-9’s “Top 5 Games to Play with Your Dog Using the KLIMB and Propel Air Platform” suggests combining the platforms in obstacle courses and stand holds for strength conditioning.
- Tuck sits or fold-down exercises on KLIMB Jr. or KLIMB Jr.–KLIMB combinations help deepen strength in the rear and spinal muscles.
Level 3: Agility and Flow Circuits
- Build mini circuits using KLIMB, Propel, and obstacles (weaves, hops). Use the Blue-9 blog’s “Games” ideas: weave through platforms, “platform hopping,” or transitions between KLIMB and Propel.
- Spin & flip on KLIMB: dogs perform tight spins on the platform to boost spinal mobility.
- Use unstable configurations: angled KLIMBs, partial inflation on Propel, or alternating surfaces to force stabilization under shifting loads.
More Dog Activities to Try at Home
Want more ways to keep your dog active beyond our Dog Fitness Challenge? Over the years on Fidose of Reality, I’ve shared some of my favorite activities that help dogs burn energy, stay mentally sharp, and have fun with their humans. These ideas are easy to fit into everyday life and can be tailored to dogs of all ages and abilities.
101 Indoor Activities for Dogs
How I Helped My Dog Lose Weight
How AKC Trick Dog Titles Help Instill Confidence
Download Your Dog’s Dog Fitness Challenge Certificate
Fidose of Reality/Blue-9 Dog Fitness Challenge certificates will be ready for download right here on October 29, 2025. Have fun and let us know how your dog is doing in the comments below or any questions you may have.
