We all know dogs need exercise. Kuro gets at least 2 walks a day at about half an hour each time, or sometimes more or less, but she does get at least a good 45 minutes per day. Is that really enough?

Walking 
Walking is very important for any dog. It’s not just physical activity but also mental health. Dogs can get bored just sitting at home all the time. That is potentially why they get excited with everything new in the house. That curiosity is also about the world around us. When they walk, it’s also about exploring the sights, smells and sounds that they can encounter. Leaving them bored with all that pent-up energy would mean destruction to your home, whether it’s furniture, the carpet, your things, etc. Whilst they love routine, that doesn’t exactly apply to their walking routes. It’s good for them to explore new ground and territory that provide for new sights, smells and sounds.

Strength & Conditioning
But that’s really not enough. In Singapore, our terrain is pretty flat, and whilst there are stairs, they are pretty high impact and can wear out the joints over time, not to mention stair-related injuries can range from muscle strains and bruises to fractures, head injuries, and even death. That’s why we bring Kuro to the gym. Yes, do not adjust your screen. We did say gym. And they exist for dogs. At Barker and Pooch, they believe the longer dogs remain your active companion, the happier and healthier they will be, and it helps give dogs a longer active life. Who doesn’t like the sound of that? So we brought Kuro there to try out their strength and conditioning programme, which uses special treadmills that have adjustable inclines that really put dogs through some tough training. If you haven’t tried it already, you really should.

Swimming
In an urban country like Singapore, relatively free from torrential floods, dogs very rarely require to swim for their life. But that begs the question - can our dog swim in the event of an emergency and their life depended on it? Whilst most dogs can, not all dogs know how to swim instinctively. It’s always good to put that to the test. We wouldn’t recommending throwing your dog in the sea by the beach to try. We may or may not have tried that and it may or may not have gone terribly wrong. And sure, you could bring your dog into a more leisurely environment for a fun swim which is really just playing with water, but considering how swimming is actually an excellent form of exercise for your dog, perhaps a gym with some hydrotherapy with professional trainers might be much better.

Swimming actually promotes overall health for our dogs and tones and strengthens their muscles (actually ours too). I had no idea, until Stephen Cranston (of Barker and Pooch) said “Just one minute of swimming equates to four minutes of running!” even though, it made perfect sense. So, aside from being a bit of a fun activity, it is truly beneficial. It also strengthens the heart and lungs, increases metabolism and improves circulation. And this will shine through their skin and coat as well. Because of the resistance of the water, all the muscle groups are activated, thus improving their tone and strength meaning this healthy dog will remain active for longer.

It can also be a form of therapy for dogs who are rehabilitating from an injury or surgery, have joint problems, or are older or overweight. Swimming is low impact, and this means the activity doesn’t put a lot of stress on the joints. Because they are activating all sorts of different muscles, this improves their range of motion. 

Well, we did manage to do a Two-In-One. We found out Kuro can actually swim very well (we tried without the vest too, not recommended without a professional trainer). And by the second lesson, she wasn’t just “desperately trying to save her life” in true Shiba Inu dramatic fashion.

I must add for those who are wondering, nope you don't get wet. Just your dog. You don't even have to worry about showering or drying off, they do that for you. You can choose to use your own shampoo but the one they is good. There are toys they can provide but you might want to bring your own. Drinking water will be provided. Much convenience.

Overall, we would definitely take Kuro for more sessions at the gym to run and swim because we most certainly want her to be healthy, live a more active life, and most importantly, a longer and happier one.

Check out Barker and Pooch.
224, Telok Kurau Road, #01-05, 
Singapore 423836.
Operating Hours: 8am to 12pm, 4pm to 8pm (closed on Mondays)
For enquiries, contact them at +65 9106 9168.

What’s more, you can pop over next door to get your Kuro Snacks at Urban Paws.

If you’re driving your dog, don’t forget to give your dog some Buta or Miruku Bites by Kuro Snacks as they can help with motion sickness if given half an hour to an hour prior to driving.

You can pack them along with you in Pōchi or Kinchaku for Kuro Snacks: