Before beginning any exercise program you should ask yourself several questions concerning your health:
• Has your doctor ever said that you have a heart condition and that you should only do physical activity recommended by a doctor?
• Do you feel pain in your chest when you do physical activity?
• In the past month, have you had chest pain when you were not doing physical activity?
• Do you lose your balance because of dizziness or do you ever lose consciousness?
• Do you have a bone or joint problem that could be made worse by a change in you physical activity?
• Is your doctor currently prescribing drugs (water pills) for your blood pressure or heart condition?
• Do you know of any other reason why you should not do physical activity?
If you answered “Yes” to one or more of the questions talk with your doctor before you begin exercise. If you answered “No” you are probably fit enough to begin an exercise program. If you have any questions or concerns you should speak with your doctor prior to beginning any exercise program.
If you have any concerns that your dog is overweight, or has any medical concerns, talk with your veterinarian prior to beginning any exercise program for you pup.
You will need comfortable clothing and good tennis shoes. As you will probably be performing the exercises outside remember to dress for the weather, and layer your clothing. To layer for colder weather wear most recommended is three layers. The base layer next to your skin should be a tight fitting wicking material. Examples of these materials are polypropylene, silk, polyester, Thermax or Thinsulate. Don’t wear cotton as cotton will absorb moisture and trap it next to your skin. Next wear a slightly looser- fitting garment made of a material such as down, polyester, fleece, wool or newer synthetic/natural blends. These two layers serve to wick moisture away from you body, helping to warm and dry. The third layer or outer garment serves to block wind and let moisture escape. Choose a garment made of Gore-Tex, with ventilation zippers. For warmer weather choose garments made of the wicking materials described in base layers. This will move moisture away from your body and help keep you cool. Choose good tennis shoes!!! Remember, your feet are your foundation! While good tennis shoes can be expensive, a well-fitted shoe can help deter or alleviate feet problems.
For your dog you will need a flat collar, a 6’leash, possibly a 20’ leash (for more advanced movements and training), and a bag of small yummy treats. The treats should be approximately the size of the tips of your finger. Check for low calorie, natural treats or your dog may gain weight during training!!! Treats are easiest stored and given when placed in a small pouch on your waist. I wear a small inexpensive pack which I can also stash keys and my cell phone in. I’m not an advocate of choke, prong or electrical collars, and don’t recommend them for these training sessions. I rely much more on positive reinforcement theories and that during training you will be interacting with your dog, keeping them focused on you and thinking. Don’t forget water for both you and you dog! Even in winter when you think you’re cold you both need water during exercise.
Picking a site to exercise and train should be creative and fun. If you have the luxury, pick a beautiful spot you want to go to. I found a playground area to be like Christmas when it came to features I could use for exercise. The many features and fixtures offered endless possibilities for exercise and training on various levels. But, you can also set up a routine in your backyard or park with no playground. I’ll explain in later blogs how to set up an exercise course if you can’t make it to a park.
So, it's “time to grab the leash and get the lead out”
Mary Manka
Owner, PushUpsnPawS,LLC
Showing posts with label obedience training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label obedience training. Show all posts
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
The benefits of exercising with my dog.
In my last couple blogs I've introduced the concept of Push Ups n PawS, or exercising with your dog, and given a sample "core" routine. In this blog I'd like to talk more about the benefits of exercising with your dog, and give you some tips on getting started.
Lets start with one of the most important benefits, better health for you and your dog. To not mince words, overweight and obesity is considered epidemic in both people and their pets. The Center for Disease Control reports that over half of the population is either overweight or obese. Roughly 40% of the adults in the United States do not participate in any leisure time activities, and less than 1/3 engage in the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity per day. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention reports that 44% of our dogs are either overweight or obese. OK, OUCH! That may have hurt to read.
The good news is, The Office of the Surgeon General reports that physical activity in conjuction with calorie reduction contributes to weight loss, and that regular physical activity is extremely helpful in the prevention of overweight and obesity and maintaining a healthy weight.
In addition to weight control, regular exercise has been shown to prevent heart disease, control cholesterol levels and diabetes, slows bone loss, lowers risks of certain cancers and helps reduce anxiety and depression. The positive health benefits of regular exercise are almost identical for both you and your dog. So through exercise you can improve your health, and your dogs'.
Another benefit is a stronger bond between you and your dog, and increased obedience training. A well-trained and socialized dog is more likely to be viewed as a family member, and to be included in family outings and activities. These dogs are welcome at the youth soccer or softball game, or on family vacations. The dog that has not been trainined or socialized is either left at home during family outings, or boarded at a care facility during vacations.
One of the last benefits I'll mention is the savings in cost and time. With todays tough economic times to pay for a gym membership and/or personal trainer is expensive. In addition, dog training classes can be costly. To be able to combine the two saves both time and money. I find public parks the best areas to exercise in as they have a lot of features to aid in body weight exercises. They are free, and if you have children they can play in the park while you exercise!
There is little special equipment needed. GOOD tennis shoes - buy these from an experienced sales person at a store or depatment specializing in atheletic shoe sales. Your feet are your foundation, ill-fitting tennis shoes can lead to numerous injuries or aches. Workout clothes for the weather. A leash for your dog and water for both.
I would like to caution that this is not for everyone, nor all dogs. If you have any health concerns, check with your doctor before starting any physical activity. The same applies to your dog, if they are overweight or obese, or have health concerns, check with your vet before starting them on an exercise routine. Always start slow, and gradually increase the time and intensity that you workout. If your dog has moderate to severe behaviorial issues such as aggression, seek the advice and of a local dog training professional. In the next blogs I'll give some tips on basic obedience commands, and show how to use some of the features found in most parks to blend effective body weight exercises and cardio routines.
Lets start with one of the most important benefits, better health for you and your dog. To not mince words, overweight and obesity is considered epidemic in both people and their pets. The Center for Disease Control reports that over half of the population is either overweight or obese. Roughly 40% of the adults in the United States do not participate in any leisure time activities, and less than 1/3 engage in the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity per day. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention reports that 44% of our dogs are either overweight or obese. OK, OUCH! That may have hurt to read.
The good news is, The Office of the Surgeon General reports that physical activity in conjuction with calorie reduction contributes to weight loss, and that regular physical activity is extremely helpful in the prevention of overweight and obesity and maintaining a healthy weight.
In addition to weight control, regular exercise has been shown to prevent heart disease, control cholesterol levels and diabetes, slows bone loss, lowers risks of certain cancers and helps reduce anxiety and depression. The positive health benefits of regular exercise are almost identical for both you and your dog. So through exercise you can improve your health, and your dogs'.
Another benefit is a stronger bond between you and your dog, and increased obedience training. A well-trained and socialized dog is more likely to be viewed as a family member, and to be included in family outings and activities. These dogs are welcome at the youth soccer or softball game, or on family vacations. The dog that has not been trainined or socialized is either left at home during family outings, or boarded at a care facility during vacations.
One of the last benefits I'll mention is the savings in cost and time. With todays tough economic times to pay for a gym membership and/or personal trainer is expensive. In addition, dog training classes can be costly. To be able to combine the two saves both time and money. I find public parks the best areas to exercise in as they have a lot of features to aid in body weight exercises. They are free, and if you have children they can play in the park while you exercise!
There is little special equipment needed. GOOD tennis shoes - buy these from an experienced sales person at a store or depatment specializing in atheletic shoe sales. Your feet are your foundation, ill-fitting tennis shoes can lead to numerous injuries or aches. Workout clothes for the weather. A leash for your dog and water for both.
I would like to caution that this is not for everyone, nor all dogs. If you have any health concerns, check with your doctor before starting any physical activity. The same applies to your dog, if they are overweight or obese, or have health concerns, check with your vet before starting them on an exercise routine. Always start slow, and gradually increase the time and intensity that you workout. If your dog has moderate to severe behaviorial issues such as aggression, seek the advice and of a local dog training professional. In the next blogs I'll give some tips on basic obedience commands, and show how to use some of the features found in most parks to blend effective body weight exercises and cardio routines.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
A new approach - Push Ups n PawS
A basic obedience training program/obedience reinforcement program has many proven benefits for your dog. In addition, an exercise program for you and your dog has many proven health benefits. But many of us have work, social or family obligations such as sports or extra curricular activities that limit the time we can spend with our dogs.
With today’s tough economic times you may have had to give up the gym membership, or if you did keep it, feel guilty about going to the gym and leaving your dog alone for yet a longer time period. How can you squeeze in exercise for you and training for the dog into a busy schedule? How to combine activities to promote exercise, the dog’s basic obedience, and create a bonding experience in a fun-filled, stress-free environment while still fulfilling your obligations? Easy – use a creative approach and combine the three with a fun, interactive program; Push Ups n PawS.
Push Ups n PawS is NOT - just walking the dog or doing a couple exercises. It is a more comprehensive approach that blends cardiovascular/ total body exercises for owners with basic obedience training for their dog. Cardiovascular exercise is designed to improve the owner’s cardiovascular conditioning while improving the dogs loose leash skills. Each total-body exercise is paired with a complimentarily basic obedience command or que. The result is a fun-filled session in which the owner gets a great workout, and their dog learns basic obedience, or receives obedience reinforcement, in an environment that is geared to be fun, stress-free and promote a bonding experience.
There’s a difference between taking an obedience-trained dog for a walk and just taking the dog for a walk. The obedience-trained dog walks quietly and confidently at your side, stops when you do, and waits patiently for your next que or command. Taking your dog for a walk, depending on your dog, can mean a yipping, yapping, jumping (often excused as extra enthuasism) foray to being drug around the park having your shoulder ripped out of socket and dreading the next encounter with a person or dog( he just wants to say “Hi”). The obedience-trained dog ignores distractions such as food/trash, smells, dogs or other animals, while with the untrained, or poorly trained dog, it can be a tug of war trying to pull the dog away or off such distractions. Remember your frustration with the last dog that came running at your dog on a zip-leash - back hair straight up, tail straight out, ears pinned-back, teeth bared, with the owner yelling “He’s friendly!!” In your mind you’re thinking which is cheaper – a visit to the ER or vet?? Push Ups n PawS is designed to help teach your dog basic obedience so that taking a walk is a now a fun activity that can be enjoyed by both, and teaches safe and courteous dog behavior.
By combining total-body exercises with cardiovascular exercise you will burn significantly more calories. Larger groups of muscles are employed and exercised, and conditioning is not limited to specific groups of muscles. Think about it – walking/running is good for cardiovascular, but is limited to conditioning only limited number of muscles. Incorporating a variety of exercises can improve the workout to a total body workout and can increase the level of the workout. Recent studies have shown that depending on the level of exertion up to 600 calories/hour can be burned. If you have a younger pup you are working with, this would be an unrealistic goal, but with a more experienced dog this could be a realistic workout. Your dog is also engaged in a physical and mental activity that will help condition and enhance their life.
Push Ups n Paws means taking advantage of that hour that you had to arrive before sports practice or extra curricular activity, not feeling guilty about giving up the gym membership or feeling guilty that you left your dog at home to head to the gym. You’ve got a spare hour to do something, but it’s not the scheduled time with your professional trainer? It’s about doing something with your dog other than take them to a dog park to play with other dogs while you sit and watch. It’s about spending bonding time with your dog, having fun and exercising.
Push Ups n Paws can be a group or single activity. It’s more fun with a group of free-spirited friends, but the benefits are also there for the single who wants to enjoy the benefits of exercising with their dog. I’m not sure there’s a dog on the planet who would say “No thanks” -“ I’m too tired-I’ve got dinner-Gotta run the kids-How about tomorrow-I’ve got a meeting-whata whata whata” when you grab the leash and ask if they want to go.
Consider it as a good investment, triple your money. You and your dog receive exercise, your dog receives basic obedience and both of you benefit from valued one-on-one time that is geared to a stronger relationship and a better owner and companion-dog relationship.
Push Ups n PawS is of course not for every person or every dog. The next blog will cover some physical activity limitations for owners, and training guidelines for dogs.
A basic obedience training program/obedience reinforcement program has many proven benefits for your dog. In addition, an exercise program for you and your dog has many proven health benefits. But many of us have work, social or family obligations such as sports or extra curricular activities that limit the time we can spend with our dogs.
With today’s tough economic times you may have had to give up the gym membership, or if you did keep it, feel guilty about going to the gym and leaving your dog alone for yet a longer time period. How can you squeeze in exercise for you and training for the dog into a busy schedule? How to combine activities to promote exercise, the dog’s basic obedience, and create a bonding experience in a fun-filled, stress-free environment while still fulfilling your obligations? Easy – use a creative approach and combine the three with a fun, interactive program; Push Ups n PawS.
Push Ups n PawS is NOT - just walking the dog or doing a couple exercises. It is a more comprehensive approach that blends cardiovascular/ total body exercises for owners with basic obedience training for their dog. Cardiovascular exercise is designed to improve the owner’s cardiovascular conditioning while improving the dogs loose leash skills. Each total-body exercise is paired with a complimentarily basic obedience command or que. The result is a fun-filled session in which the owner gets a great workout, and their dog learns basic obedience, or receives obedience reinforcement, in an environment that is geared to be fun, stress-free and promote a bonding experience.
There’s a difference between taking an obedience-trained dog for a walk and just taking the dog for a walk. The obedience-trained dog walks quietly and confidently at your side, stops when you do, and waits patiently for your next que or command. Taking your dog for a walk, depending on your dog, can mean a yipping, yapping, jumping (often excused as extra enthuasism) foray to being drug around the park having your shoulder ripped out of socket and dreading the next encounter with a person or dog( he just wants to say “Hi”). The obedience-trained dog ignores distractions such as food/trash, smells, dogs or other animals, while with the untrained, or poorly trained dog, it can be a tug of war trying to pull the dog away or off such distractions. Remember your frustration with the last dog that came running at your dog on a zip-leash - back hair straight up, tail straight out, ears pinned-back, teeth bared, with the owner yelling “He’s friendly!!” In your mind you’re thinking which is cheaper – a visit to the ER or vet?? Push Ups n PawS is designed to help teach your dog basic obedience so that taking a walk is a now a fun activity that can be enjoyed by both, and teaches safe and courteous dog behavior.
By combining total-body exercises with cardiovascular exercise you will burn significantly more calories. Larger groups of muscles are employed and exercised, and conditioning is not limited to specific groups of muscles. Think about it – walking/running is good for cardiovascular, but is limited to conditioning only limited number of muscles. Incorporating a variety of exercises can improve the workout to a total body workout and can increase the level of the workout. Recent studies have shown that depending on the level of exertion up to 600 calories/hour can be burned. If you have a younger pup you are working with, this would be an unrealistic goal, but with a more experienced dog this could be a realistic workout. Your dog is also engaged in a physical and mental activity that will help condition and enhance their life.
Push Ups n Paws means taking advantage of that hour that you had to arrive before sports practice or extra curricular activity, not feeling guilty about giving up the gym membership or feeling guilty that you left your dog at home to head to the gym. You’ve got a spare hour to do something, but it’s not the scheduled time with your professional trainer? It’s about doing something with your dog other than take them to a dog park to play with other dogs while you sit and watch. It’s about spending bonding time with your dog, having fun and exercising.
Push Ups n Paws can be a group or single activity. It’s more fun with a group of free-spirited friends, but the benefits are also there for the single who wants to enjoy the benefits of exercising with their dog. I’m not sure there’s a dog on the planet who would say “No thanks” -“ I’m too tired-I’ve got dinner-Gotta run the kids-How about tomorrow-I’ve got a meeting-whata whata whata” when you grab the leash and ask if they want to go.
Consider it as a good investment, triple your money. You and your dog receive exercise, your dog receives basic obedience and both of you benefit from valued one-on-one time that is geared to a stronger relationship and a better owner and companion-dog relationship.
Push Ups n PawS is of course not for every person or every dog. The next blog will cover some physical activity limitations for owners, and training guidelines for dogs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)