Will Fido Be Fit or Fat in the Foggy Season?

YOUR WALKING BUDDY

Will Fido Be Fit or Fat in the Foggy Season?

By Bianca Shaw

While some people think winter is the time to hit the slopes, most dogs stay at home on the couch. Take time to add fun activities for your dog to work off calories, but realize that nature is working against you and your dog. Shorter days and reduced activity, coupled with the body’s desire to store calories for warmth, lead to weight gain. So like us, dogs need to diet and exercise more to stay trim but also keep fit for the first sunny spring day. How can this be rewarding and, most of all, fun?

First, make sure that your dog is in relatively good shape to start; no chronic stiffness or soreness that might need medical care first, no excessive weight that might lead to more stress on the joints, no long nails or paw hair to prevent good traction. Schedule a maintenance appointment with your vet to discuss diet, activity, and grooming if needed. If your dog needs special attention to overcome last year’s injuries, now’s the time, before you are faced with leaving him behind. Even older animals can benefit from these activities if they are generally healthy. The goal is to build strength, endurance, stability, and coordination by adding stretches, poses, and weight-shifting exercise.

Next, realize that you get as you give — these are ways to interact and reinforce your relationship with your pet — think of it as learning and earning. Stock up on little treats or save some kibble from breakfast in order to make it worth your dog’s while. The more your dog realizes what you’re asking, the harder it’ll try to give it to you, especially if there might be a treat in store. Use jerky treats or softer goodies that can be broken into small bits or nibbled on, especially if you need to lure your dog at first. The ideal is that your dog starts to offer the behavior to get you active and involved. My dog shows me where his leash hangs when he thinks we should go on an adventure.

Indoor Activities
Cookie stretch: Have your dog stretch for cookies or treats, reaching up and forward, side to side, head down to the chest, to the front toes, around to the shoulders, and eventually to the hips and rear toes without spinning the body around. Hold the treat for several seconds before letting your pet have it so they hold the stretches for slightly longer periods at each position.

Play bow: When your dog stretches the front legs out forward while keeping the rear end up in the air, this is a play bow. Encourage this stretch by giving verbal praise or naming the behavior. Also try reinforcing the posture by using a treat at your dog’s nose, drawing the nose down and forward from a standing position.

Incline sit-stands: Have your dog sit facing up a hill or ramp with the front legs higher then the rear, then immediately have them stand back up. Repeat three to five times.

Incline stand: Place the front feet up on block or book, and have your pet hold a standing position for up to two minutes, gradually increasing the height of the object every few days (from a brick, to a low footstool, chair, etc.) If they can hold themselves steady for 15 seconds, start gently swaying the hips from side to side.

Three-legged stand: Slowly pick up one leg and use it to sway your pet back and forth and side to side for 10-30 seconds at a time.

Obstacles: Set up three to five obstacles (rocks, bricks, shoes, pillows, toys) that are two to four inches in height, and then walk your pet over them slowly. If your pet tries to walk around the obstacles, use long objects like sticks, logs, boards, or broom handles to keep them on course. Increase the passes through the course and the number of daily repetitions. Increase the speed and the height of the obstacle by two to four inches each week but do not allow your pet to jump.

Outdoor Activities
Circles: Walk in one direction for two to three revolutions, then once in the opposite direction. Next time, reverse the pattern. Incorporate into the walk starting with 20-foot diameter circles and varying the size.

Curbs: Have your pet weave up and off a curb repeatedly, keeping the body parallel to the curb. Alternate which side is toward the curb, as different muscles are used stepping up versus stepping down.

Hill work: Include walks up and down hills, especially on gravel or sand to allow the toes to grip. Also work around the contour of hills, alternating which limb is on the uphill side. If the path is wide enough, try going in a zigzag pattern uphill to increase balance and coordination.

Bianca Shaw, DVM, owns Back on Track Veterinary Rehabilitation Center, in Portland, OR. Her caseload includes dogs (and cats) with many types of injuries and arthritis, as well as post-operative orthopedic and neurologic conditions. She can be reached at 503-546-8995.