Nearly half (47%) of dog owners admit they’ve assumed their dog can match their fitness levels, as more Brits turn to their pets as workout partners
London, 22nd June 2026: Dogs aren’t just man’s best friend, they’re fast becoming the nation’s favourite fitness companions too, as new research from Rover.com reveals over half (58%) of owners say their dog has significantly transformed their fitness and exercise levels.
Acting as our very own “paw-sonal trainers,” dogs are inspiring dog owners across the country to join the gym (30%), achieve goals they once struggled to reach (75%), and even manage to hit their dream weight (40%).
Shockingly, one in five (21%) owners admit they would have described themselves as ‘couch potatoes’ before getting their dog, averaging between 3,000-5,000 steps per day. However, since welcoming a pup into their lives, more than a third (38%) of pet parents now report walking over 10,000 steps – adding up to ruff-ly 6-7 hours of activity each week – highlighting a growing wave of ‘canine cardio’ across the nation.
However, while many Brits* are embracing a more active lifestyle with their dogs, misconceptions around canine fitness and endurance are widespread. Despite almost nine in ten (89%) saying they are confident they know how much exercise their dog needs, more than four in five (82%) trust their dog to signal when they’ve had enough exercise, while nearly half (46%) believe dogs will naturally stop when they’ve reached their limit.
As owners become fitter themselves, assumptions about their dog’s abilities also increase. Nearly half (47%) admit that since improving their own fitness, they’ve assumed their dog can keep up with them, while almost two-thirds (64%) believe their dog enjoys running just as much as they do.
A third (34%) believe most dogs can safely run long distances, with this assumption leading owners to push their pets beyond their comfort zone. In fact, three in five (60%) say they would continue exercising their dog unless they showed serious signs of distress, while more than a quarter (26%) confess to sometimes pushing their dog a little further than usual just to give them a “better workout”.
Adem Fehmi, Rover’s Canine Behaviourist, comments on the dangers surrounding these misconceptions: “Dogs are natural motivators for staying active, and it’s great to see more owners exploring ways to exercise together. However, it’s important to consider a dog’s abilities and needs alongside our own and not get carried away with our own fitness goals. Each dog has different limits depending on factors like age, breed, physiology, fitness level, and overall health, so choosing activities that suit them helps keep exercise safe, comfortable, and enjoyable for everyone involved.
If your dog is capable of longer walks, runs or more strenuous activities and you’d like to involve your dog, I would advise taking things slow to begin with and structuring your exercise together to include warm up and cool down time also. It is also important to bring water, avoid the hottest parts of the day, and watch your dog carefully for any signs of fatigue.
An overexerted dog may develop sore paw pads or muscles, show an unwillingness to follow obedience commands they would usually respond to, and can become irritable or even, in some cases, reactive. They may also show physical signs like becoming lethargic, disorientated, have muscle tremors, pale or bluish gums, darker ‘tea’ coloured urine, and even vomit or have diarrhoea. Should you notice any of these signs, it is recommended to seek the advice of a vet immediately to check your dog over and administer any care needed.
When done safely however, exercising together can strengthen the bond between dogs and their owners while supporting overall wellbeing.”
Adem shares his top tips for exercising safely with your dog:
- Learn Their Tell-Tail Signs
Dogs don’t always make it obvious when they’re tired or uncomfortable, and some will keep going long after they should. Understanding your dog’s body language can help you spot signs of fatigue early and prevent overexertion. - Exercise for Their Age
Every dog is different, and exercise should be tailored to their age, breed, health and fitness level. A puppy may require multiple short exercise sessions throughout the day, whereas a fit and healthy adult dog may benefit from two or three longer sessions. Remember that a dog’s exercise needs can change significantly throughout their lifetime. - Build Up, Don’t Burn Out
Avoid making sudden changes to your dog’s exercise routine. If you’re introducing longer walks, running or more intense activities, build these up gradually over time and watch carefully for how your dog responds. - Make Every Walk Count
Add enrichment to exercise sessions through games, training and exploration. Activities such as hide-and-seek with toys or treats can help fulfil your dog physically and mentally, without the risk of overexertion, as they can take part at their own pace. As an added bonus, this can also strengthen your bond and support positive behaviour. - Never Skip a Warm-Up
Structure your dog’s exercise sessions as you would your own workout, with a warm-up, main activity and cool-down. This can help reduce the risk of injury, particularly when building up to more strenuous activities. - Let Them Set the Pace
Give your dog opportunities to move, explore and rest at their own pace. Not all dogs will naturally stop when they’ve had enough, so avoid relying on them to self-regulate exercise.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
A Rover survey of 2,000 UK dog parents conducted via Pollfish in March & May 2026.
*For the purpose of this press release, Brits refers to dog owners only
About Rover:
Founded in 2011 and operating in 18 countries, Rover® is the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care. Rover connects dog and cat owners with loving pet care whenever they need it. Millions of services have been booked on Rover, including pet sitting, dog walking, in-home boarding, drop-in visits, and doggy day care. To learn more about Rover, please visit https://www.rover.com/uk/ or see our press room here: https://www.rover.com/uk/blog/press/
For more information, please contact: Rover@brands2life.com