6. Sheltie Step Up (Requires a step platform) Ask your dog to stand on your left side. Stand with your feet parallel, about hip-width apart while holding the leash in your hands. Slowly step to place your right foot on the platform. Keep your torso upright, and align your knee over your second toe. Have your dog come with you. Push off with your trailing (left) leg to raise your body onto the platform, placing that foot alongside. Have your dog follow, with front paws on the platform. With the leash firmly guided by your left hand, slowly load the weight of your body into your leading (right) foot. Step backwards to place the trailing (left) foot on the floor in its trailing position. Guide your dog and allow your body to lean slightly forward during the step-down movement. Load your weight into your trailing (left) foot, and step off the platform with your leading (right) foot, returning to your starting position. Repeat for the opposite side. To progress, step up onto one leg only, and remain standing on a single leg before stepping back down. “This is a bonding exercise with your dog, while working on obedience,” Montgomery says. “It also provides benefits to you, including strengthening your inner thighs and toning your legs. Remember to praise your dog along the way.” Image: Thinkstock ,You Might Also Like,By Andrew Daniels Man’s best friend may also be man’s best workout buddy. According to research from Michigan State University, the majority of dog owners who regularly walk their dogs meet the national standards for regular, moderate, or vigorous exercise. Dog walkers also exercise about a half hour a week more than people without pets, the research shows. More studies tout the benefits of getting fit with Fido: University of Missouri research found that overweight dog walkers who took their furry friends for a 20-minute strolls five days a week lost an average of 14 pounds in a year. Australian research also shows that if you frequently take your pooch for walks, you’re less likely to make excuses to not work out. Who needs a gym when you’ve got your own cuddly canine just waiting to be your personal trainer? Here are six exercises you can do with your pup that will help him shed the pounds — and cause you to break more than a sweat, too. Exercises from Tricia Montgomery, Founder and CEO of K9 Fit Club, a national network of clubs dedicated to the health, fitness, and wellness of dogs. Image: Khakimullin Aleksandr / Shutterstock 1. Warmup Place your dog’s leash in your left hand with no more than a 2-foot lead, and power walk back and forth for 1 to 2 minutes. Move to a light jog or sprint, back and forth for 2 minutes. Stand in place and perform arm circles to warm up your shoulders, while your dog stands next to you. “Remember to work at your own pace,” suggests Montgomery. “If this is your first time, your dog doesn’t know what to expect. Remember to praise them for their good actions.” Image: Ross Stevenson / Shutterstock