FitDog Friday- Get Fit when it's Cold Outside

What can I do for exercise with my dogs when it's cold outside?
I'll be the first to admit, I'm not excited about going out for walks in the snow or rain or freezing cold. But, the dogs are always willing!

Here are some ideas for ways to have fun and get fit with your dogs this winter:

1. Play an indoor game. Throw a soft ball (Chuck-it makes an indoor soft ball you can chuck!) or hide a favorite toy and help your dog "seek". Even in smaller spaces, you can both get some exercise by playing.

2. Take your dog along on an outdoor sport that you enjoy. You can take your dog along cross country skiing. Jessica, Chester and Gretel of You Did What with Your Wiener go snowshoeing together. It looks like a lot of fun!

3. Consider a dog treadmill. Krista of Dog Tread explains how a dog treadmill is a great way for your dog to get exercise when the weather outside is frightful. Wouldn't it be fun to exercise on your own treadmill while your dog exercises on his own dog treadmill beside you? 

4. Join K9 Fit Club! Tricia Montgomery founded a gym where people and pets work out together. Today there are more than a dozen K9 Fit Clubs across the country. If there's not one near you, maybe you'd even want to consider opening one of your own!

5. Just Do It! Bundle up, and if your dog needs it put a sweater and booties on him and get out the door. Once you get moving, you'll probably be glad you did!

6. Shameless promotion! You can also check out a copy of The Dieting with My Dog Guide to Weight Loss and Maintenance where you'll find Jessica's tips on snowshoeing, Krista's advice on doggy treadmills, K9 Fit Club's step by step floor exercises you can do with your dog, and more! What better way to make a workout more fun! (p.s. It would make a great Christmas gift, and if you email me now, I'll get you a signed copy for 50% off!)

Join the FitDog Friday Blog Hop, co-hosted by Peggy's Pet Place, Slimdoggy, and To Dog with Love.

Want more positive pet tips, good news, and special offers? Fetch my free newsletter, Pawsitively Pets. Kelly and Ike hope to see you there!

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Does Your Dog Need More Exercise?

“My dog won’t stop chewing on the furniture!”

“My dog can’t sleep through the night.”

“My dog goes crazywhen we let him outside.”

Any of these sound familiar? People whose pets are apparent troublemakers can become easily frustrated with these hyperactive habits. But before you go crazy trying to train your pooch, ask yourself one question: is your dog getting enough exercise? 

In a recent Petside.com blog, author Julie Seguss discusses the signs that could indicate that your dog needs more regular activity. It’s not just a dog being overweight, these signs include a lot of difficult behaviors like constant barking, destructive chewing, hyperactivity, lack of focus, leash pulling and trouble sleeping. Your dog may be doing more than intentionally causing trouble; he may be trying to tell you that he needs more exercise.

Although these behaviors are common in many dogs, especially puppies, if your dog exhibits one or more of these behaviors regularly, it may be because he is trying to get out excess energy. Try giving your dog some extra exercise and see if the behavior subsides.

The next question is: what kind of exercise? The answer depends on your dog’s regular activity. In most cases, leash walking is not enough to burn off your dog’s excess energy. Off-leash activities like playing fetch in a fenced-in backyard are more likely to satisfy your dog’s need to do something active. Training can also be an energy-expending activity, but your dog probably prefers to have some playtime as well. No one likes all work and no play!

Once your dog is tuckered out, you may look for him to fall asleep as a sign of a good workout. However, the most active times for dogs are dawn and dusk, so don’t be alarmed if your pup isn't ready for bed after an evening play session. Dogs are more inclined to nap during the afternoon; so alternatively, a pooch who seems tired at noon isn't necessarily getting enough exercise just because he is sleepy. If you get excited to play, he is sure to follow suit!  

Adding activity to your dog’s routine may help put a stop to those pesky behaviors, and help get your dog in shape for the spring season. From April 15 – 19, Morris Animal Inn is hosting a Spring Training Fit Camp for energetic dogs or even pooches looking to lose a few pounds. The week is complete with base running, aqua warm-ups, group play batting practice, treadmill training and homemade All-Star protein bars. Call 973-539-0377 to book your dog a spot in the line-up today!

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Wednesday Pet Roundup

Hi and welcome to Wednesday Pet Roundup! Here's my son walking the dogs on a nice crisp fall day. And here are your links for this week:

*The Detroit News reports that pets inadvertently set more than 500 house fires in the US every year. Be careful with your jack-o-lantern candles around pets.

* Doggy treadmills, pet pedometers, other products cater to obese pets. From Huff Post. Maybe I need to consider some combo-packaging along with Dieting with my Dog!

* Some people think black cats are bad luck. But they get a bad rap. Here are 50 of the cutest adoptable black cats from Pawnation and Petfinder.

* Don't forget the Be the Change for Animals, Three Little Cavaliers, and PetCo campaign to help rescue pets. All you do is tweet....Your tweet will raise $1 for rescue pets. Easy as that!

* Still time to enter to Win pet photo cards by Minted worth $65! Contest ends Monday.

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