Improve your dog's exercise regimen with Olympic-inspired events

The 2012 Summer Olympics in London involve some of the most compelling sporting events in the world right now, and it may have inspired you to get back into the gym and improve your fitness level. As a pet parent, there's no reason why you can't get your dog involved in the fun too, and there are a variety of exercises that can be traced directly back to the Olympics that can get your furry friend a bit more active before summer is over. Here are a few Olympic-inspired ideas that could help you and your pooch get into better shape.

1. Track and field. Running around the neighborhood with your canine is a great start, but DogChannel.com suggests getting fellow dogs involved in the fun. Consider creating a bit of a relay race with multiple dogs. Invite a few of your fellow dog parents over and split the dogs into two teams. Each team will have a tennis ball or chew toy that is thrown to a predetermined spot and you can have a race to see who is the fastest. This could be a wonderful activity for a summer barbecue as a way to keep the dogs entertained.

2. Gymnastics. While your canine Olympics won't feature a balance beam or high bars, you could create a small obstacle course to get your canine up and moving. According to Petside.com, this can be a wonderful way to bond with your dog, as your companion will have to rely on your communication for direction through the course itself. While you could create your own course using inexpensive products, it may be better to consider a membership at the Dog Parks at Bideawee. This full-scale dog park has a professional-quality agility course that you can use to improve your pooch's fitness level and try something new.

3. Swimming. Taking your dog for a trip to the lake is a great way to work every muscle in his or her body. Find a place that has a dock or a beach and simply throw a tennis ball or floating chew toy into the water for your dog to fetch. If you're hanging out with fellow dog parents, turn your activity into a race to see who can swim the fastest back to the shore. Be creative and get other dogs involved to turn your furry friend's new exercise regimen into a rewarding experience.