Just like humans, pets need a fitness regimen to keep them on the path to good health. A dog requires regular exercise to remain fit and prevent it from becoming overweight, which may lead to health problems.

For most dogs, exercise and play is their one aim in life and so they will take as much as you can give. A dog will also enjoy play, whether with its owner or on its own and so toys play an important part in a dog's life.

The nice thing about the PetFlex is it gives your dog a great aerobic workout, develops agility, and is fun for your dog.

1. Running

One of the most productive exercises, the main exercise, you will do with the PetFlex is the run--getting you dog to run, full sprint. With the PetFlex, you can condition/exercise your dog without having to run full sprint yourself and in a small space.

Simply hold the PetFlex like a fishing pole, and turn slowly in a circle, swinging the lure on the end of your PetFlex in a large circle. As your pet goes for the lure, pull the stick around faster or spin faster or change directions. This is to keep the lure away from your pet for a little while, giving him or her a chance to "chase" the "rabbit".

Keep up this activity as long as you can--this typically ends when your dog "catches" the lure in his or her teeth.

2. Jumping

Jumping is a great activity not only for increasing leg strength, but also for eye-mouth coordination.

To get your dog to jump, get the dog in a running mode (see Running section above). Every so often, softly flip the pole back to make the lure jump, but not too high. The dog with jump for the lure.

3. Tugging

Eventually your dog will catch the lure. At this point, spend some time playing tug of war with your pooch. Simply pull the pole while your dog pulls the lure. Pulling exercises your dog's hind quarters, as well as tenacity.

4. Coordination

Chasing after a lure flying, in different and fast changing directions, trains a dog to following fast moving objects with his eye and then feet to follow. Training on an object and jumping for it to catch it does the same.

This type of coordination and speed training is very important for dogs that perform services or perform: police dogs, stunt dogs, dogs undergoing agility training, and so on.

5. The Release

When you are finished exercising your dog with the PetFlex, you must have a signal the dog understands to be a "release" signal. If you have already worked with your dog on Fetch and Release, use the same command. If you don't yet, you will need to work on a consistent command. The dog will release the lure. When he does, reward your dog for his behavior.