April is full of celebratory dog days including National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day (April 21), National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day (April 30) and more. But for the entirety of the month, April is a time to celebrate being active with your dog.

You know all the benefits of getting yourself, and your dog, moving more but it can be tricky to decide how exactly to put it into practice. We have you covered, from minimal impact to those who love the physical challenge – get out there and move with your furry best friend in one of the following ways:

Walking and running
Walking is without a doubt the most common form of exercise we partake in with our dogs. It’s also the lowest impact, meaning your dog’s joint and overall mobility are not under as much strain as if you were jogging. This is the perfect way to get your dog moving more and enjoying the doors – the long-term health benefits of walking are almost limitless from heart health to better mobility and prolonged life expectancy.

If you and your dog are already physically fit, consider going for a run or increasing the number of times you run in the month of April. This month is a great time to test your endurance and keep your dog moving. Plus, we all know a tired dog is a good dog.

Swimming
Visiting your local swimming hole, or a designated pool, is a fantastic option for senior dogs or those with injuries or arthritis. Not only is swimming low impact, but buoyancy in the water helps alleviate pain in joints and the gentle resistance is ideal for building muscle and rehabbing injuries.

While April may be a bit early to take a plunge in your local lake, depending on where you’re located, many areas have indoor pools just for dogs – doggy daycare may also provide this. Plus, at the very least, you and your dog can have a splashing good time.

Play fetch
The game is as old as time – fetch is a classic game for dogs and their owners to bond and expend some energy. Retrieving and returning is a natural instinct for almost every dog, so why not take advantage of this built-in skill? Toss a ball, frisbee, or even a stick out in the April sunshine to get your dog moving more. For dogs who tend to be a bit lazy, fetch can be a simple way to engage them as it doesn’t emphasize the exercise portion and instead focuses on the game. The perk here is that it’s fun, can be done right in your backyard (or any open space), and can even be a great game to tire out your kids!

Pick an activity that suits your dog and get moving in April! It’ll set both you and your pup up for a healthy and happy summer.