6 Ways Pets Help Your Heart

5. Canine Freestyle

If you have an obedient dog and you love music, check out canine freestyle. In this doggie-centric activity, you and your pup dance a choreographed duet. You do simple dance steps and your dog moves around you, weaving through your legs or circling around to the music.

Training for canine freestyle will get your heart pumping. “When you’re starting to develop routines, you’re getting a huge physical workout,” says Loren Jensen Carter, who teaches canine freestyle with her golden retriever, Aloha.

You’ll be actively teaching your dog to back up, move sideways, spin, and weave—and you’ll be practicing your dance moves, too. “When the music starts, your heart goes into a happier place,” Carter says. “You’re getting physical and emotional benefits, all while deepening your relationship with your dog.”

Get started: Check out Canine Freestyle to get more information. If you want to see how it’s done, watch this famous dancing dog duo.