Become a lean mean machine with the help of fido!

Daisy and I after a run and Spec in the back....he just had
to get in the photo!

54% of dogs and cats are overweight or obese.  If your Vet has told you that your dog needs to lose a few pounds then there are simple steps to take to start the process.  Excess weight for your pet can lead to many other health concerns. Talk to your Vet about the type of food you are feeding your dog and how much you are feeding him/her.  As a rule of thumb you should follow the recommendation on the bag of dog food (this is if your dog is normal weight).  The total daily food required for your dog should be spread into two feedings each day.  In addition to monitoring the food intake you must include exercise.  Begin slow and increase it slowly each week.  Starting with a 20-30 minute walk 3-4 times a week is a great start.  Increase about 10% each week.  If you would like to run with your dog start with a run/walk.  Run or jog for 1 minute and walk for 4 minutes.  Limit human food and treats.  If you do give your dog treats use low calorie options such as carrots.  You could also freeze low calorie foods with liquid in a kong.  I put cottage cheese, cut up carrots bits, chicken broth, and seal it with peanut butter.  Then I freeze them.  This is a great low calorie treat that takes them up to an hour to enjoy!  Pets are not much different than humans when it comes to weightless.  Diet and exercise will get you the best results!  You and your pet can become lean, mean machines.  

Follow your Pupssion

Over the past years I have always mentioned how I wanted to start a run group from the NSPCA.  I kept talking about it and thinking about how great it would be.  I recently had some time to begin the process of putting this dream into reality. Little did I know how it would impact me on a personal level. I have not even yet started my run group but I have started volunteering at the Nevada SPCA to walk dogs.  I figured I would become familiar with the shelter and dogs before beginning the run group.  I can't believe I put this off for so long!  It is amazing how much I look forward to going to the shelter and am disappointed when I don't have time to go there.  I enjoy walking the dogs so much I wish I would have done it a long time ago.  Many times I go walk dogs and go into the shelter looking for a dog I previously walked only to find they are gone.  This is bittersweet because although I want to see them I am so happy they are adopted.  I already have so many great images of spending time with these special creatures in my head.  I initially was so sad to leave the shelter and now I am so excited to get there and can't wait to come back. I had NO idea that a simple idea for a run group would bring me so much joy AND I haven't even started running with any of the dogs.  Today I walked a energetic lab mix named Terry, two older beagles named Betsy and Buddy, and an energetic so ugly he's cute patches. I got one step closer to a terrified Guadalupe.  He was found in a car and is frightened by everyone but today he licked my finger!  He took food from my hand.  Each day I see him he comes out of his shell a little more.  I went to the shelter today looking for Bellagio and Pupcake.  Pupcake is a  3 legged puppy I spent time with the other day.  Both were gone and adopted!   These dogs are in a situation that is not their fault. I feel more compassion for these amazing animals then I do for any human.  A human is in a bad situation in most cases because they have made bad decisions.  These dogs have been put in this situation because humans once again made bad decisions. If I can give them 20 minutes of pleasure and love I will and I get as much out of it as they do. Its a two way street. If you ever have considered volunteering at a shelter then don't put it off.  If you have not done it because you think you will want to take all of them home then change your mindset!  You need to go their knowing your time is best spent loving them for that short time.  You can't save them all but you can give them some love for the time you are there.  If you want to do something and keep talking about it, quit talking and do it!  

Combining Two Passions For A Great Cause!

I have a passion for health, fitness and dogs!  I try to keep myself fit as well as my 3 dogs.  I always exercise them by either running, swimming, walking or fun games.  I sometimes try and kill two birds with one stone by getting my run in while taking my dogs.  I decided to create a run/walk group that left from an animal shelter so we could multi-task.  I figured we could get our exercise and do a good deed for a shelter  dog at the same time.  The Nevada SPCA in Las Vegas has over 300 dogs on any day.  They have many high energy dogs that could benefit from a good run or brisk walk.  I live close to the NSPCA and run on a new running trail close by so I thought why not take the pups to the trail to go for a run?  Today I went to orientation and I am so excited to get this thing going!  

We need runners so here is what you need to do it you want to help:

• Go to the NSPCA volunteer orientation on any Saturday at 8am it is about 90 minutes and is mandatory if you want to be in the group.
• Make sure when you go to orientation you have had your tetanus vaccine and bring verification of it.
• Contact me at trainwithcyndee@yahoo.com so I can add you to the group email.  

It is important to understand you are there to bring a bright spot into a dogs day.  You are there to give a little joy to a dog who is in a temporary situation.  You can't save or help every dog.  You can't take every dog.  You will be the highlight of one dogs day!  It will make your exercise so much more enjoyable and rewarding.  I am hoping to do this at various times and days.  I plan to begin this program in November.  It is important to go through the orientation now and volunteer a few times before we begin the program.  It will be good to get familiar with the policies and procedures at the shelter.  

Please share this with anyone you think may be interested in joining the group.  I hope to see you out there!

To see more about the NSPCA you can go to their website at www.nevadaspca.org.  

Keeping Fido Happy and Fit - It's easy just do it!

Daisy on our walk

It is the highlight of their day!  When I walk my dogs or go running with them they get so excited.  I try and walk or run with them everyday.  Rarely do I miss a day.  I wish everyone had the same passion about walking their dogs.  Imagine if you were a dog and never got to leave your house.  You miss out on all those new smells that are outside of your yard.  Dogs love to sniff and smell everything out there in the world.  Keeping them confined to your yard (even if it is a big yard) is not the same.  I see so many dogs in my neighborhood that NEVER get outside of their yard.  I feel bad for them as I walk by with my pack of dogs.  Not only do your dogs get exercise on a walk but you will gain benefits from walking too.  Many people say they are too busy to do this.  That is a BIG excuse.  I am very busy however I force myself to take them out and once I see them enjoying the walk it is well worth it.  Don’t talk yourself out of it just do it.    Make it become a daily routine. Some days I have to be to work at 5am so walking my dogs requires me to get up at 3:15.  Yes its hard but I do it because I love my dogs. I love seeing them full of excitement to go for the walk.  It only has to be 20-30 minutes out of your day.  Just do it! 

My Pack of Pups

Play some tug-o-war

In the summer sometimes it too hot to do anything outside with your dog.  So your mutt may be getting stir crazy being inside this summer.  You could always do what I do and get up at 3am to avoid the heat. If your not crazy like I am you could play a game with them at anytime and in the house.  My dog Daisy's favorite game it tug-o-war.  A 15 minute game of tug-o-war and we both are beat.  Use these tips to play with your dog.

• Use something soft that your dog will like to grab onto.  I tied and bunch of old socks together.  Before I tied them together I stuffed them with more old socks.  This works great and is cheap.
• Find a way to get them started.  Use a fun high pitched voice and say something like "Let's Play" or "Get It"
• Once they have it shake and tug on it.  Go back and forth up and down.  Use an excited voice to keep the game going.  
• If their mouth touches you even by accident stop the game and start over.  If your dog won't release when you tell them use a treat to get them to drop it. 
• A great time to do this is when you get up in the morning or when you come         home from work.          

Make it fun and exciting.  Not all dogs are tug-o-war dogs but most dogs enjoy some type of game.  Have fun and stay cool.

My Dog See's Stranger Danger

Daisy and I after a great trail run!

My dog Daisy is one of three dogs I have.  She is very fit, loves to run, learned to like swimming and is such a love bug.  Since I got her from the shelter 4 years ago I have had various behavior problems with her.  I have tried to manage them for 4 years with zero luck.  I knew she didn't need a dog trainer because she knows basic commands and is very smart.  Her problem is aggression with other people and dogs.  It has gotten worse not better over the years.  I realized I needed some professional help. I contacted Crista Coppola a dog behaviorist.  

Daisy barks aggressively at people when they enter the house.  She paces while they are here rarely ever getting comfortable with anyone other than me.  Crista was immediately aware that Daisy was a frightened dog.   She likely learned this behavior when she was young and in the shelter.  When I first got her and she would meet people she would squat and pee.  She realized barking at them rather than peeing become more efficient at keeping them away.  Crista suggested I be in control of every greeting that Daisy encounters.  They must be controlled and only what Daisy can tolerate.  She will never be a perfect dog but we can now hopefully manage her interactions with people.  I will follow the guidelines outlined by Crista and hopefully Daisy's life will be less stressful. 

She suggested a few things:

• Crate train all of my dogs.  When people come in the house introduce Daisy very slowly.  Keeping her in the crate have the guest (stranger) throw Daisy treats.  No sudden movements when she is around.  Feed them in their crate because Daisy is protective over her food.  
• Walk or run Daisy alone so I can manage any potential problems better. Daisy does not like bikes, people running, skateboards.  When I see these coming have treats ready to give her as the potential stranger goes by.  
• She seems slightly nervous when my boyfriend talks and she said he needs to talk to her in a FUN way.  He also will be playing her favorite game with her when he comes home.  She loves tug-o-war.  The other dogs will be separate from her when she plays with him. 
• When I take her to run groups with other people around I will provide them with treats to throw her way.  This will be a good feeling when she encounters strangers however they will not approach her as she is worse when on leash.  We just want to present good feeling on leash.

These are the few things we are going to start with.  I am ready to start right away.  I love my dogs like a mother would love their kids. I wish she was a normal dog and loved people because she has such a sweet personality with me.  This is how she is and I will manage it for the rest of her long life!

Daisy at Dog Diving!  She is a great swimmer!

Teaching your mutt to love the water

Can you believe she didn't like the water!

My dog Daisy (one of my 3 of my dogs) did not always love the water.  When I first got her she was scarred of many things including water.  She even walked around puddles on our walks.  My other Dog Tigger a lab mix is your typical water dog.  When boarding them one time I decided to pay the $30 extra for pool time.  I thought maybe a professional could work with Daisy and get her in the pool. It was not going to happen. They said she was terrified of the water.  I never forced her into the water but when I would take Tigger to the lake I brought her along.  I got her a life jacket and thought I would let her do what she wanted.  I would stay on the beach and throw the ball for Tigger and he would run into the water and fetch the ball. She would stand at the shore and watch him fetch the ball from the water. She would greet him back to shore with enthusiasm.  She eventually would run into the water when welcoming him back to shore but only into a few inches of water. I still found this exciting  because it was progress.  Then I would go into the water a little deeper and she would follow.  Finally she was up to her chest and she wasn't nervous or scared.  She was having fun and actually fetching the ball in the shallow water.  Then it happened; she went out far enough she couldn't touch.  She immediately went back to where she could feel the bottom of the lake.  I  could tell she wanted to follow Tigger but wasn't really sure what to do. I put the leash on her and lead her out to where she could barely touch. I threw the ball for her and Tigger and kept leading her by the leash.  It finally happened she was actually swimming!  She got the ball and we went back to shore.  I was so happy and could tell she was having a great time.  She got to a point where she would do it by herself. 

A few years later I heard about a group called Vegas Dock Dogs. I originally thought about this for my lab mix Tigger. I thought he would be perfect for this.  I took him and he was a natural from the start jumping 14-15 feet on his first session.  I thought I had a champion on my hands until I realized the top dogs do it in something like 29 feet.

Ok so maybe not a champion but he was having a blast.  They told me I could bring two dogs at a time so next time I brought Daisy with us.  She didn't want anything to do with jumping off the dock.  I actually got in the water and tried to coax her in. It was not happening.  She would run with Tigger to the end of the dock and just watch him jump in.  I let her go over to the exit ramp and she starting fetching the ball from there actually jumping in to get it.



Here I am trying to coax her to jump and she is

not going for it

So while Tigger would jump off the ramp she was quite content fetching the ball from the ramp!  Come to find out she is a pretty fast swimmer.  They both have a blast at our dock diving sessions.  The come back from them tired and ready for a nap.  It is the perfect thing for them during the summer months.  It is yet another way to keep your dogs fit and at a healthy weight. 

Here is my water dog enjoying a hot summer day!

Best friends swimming paw in paw!