It’s that time of year, when many people look forward to a fresh start and set goals to improve their health and fitness. The problem with New Year’s resolutions is that most good intentions are often derailed within a few weeks. Does this sound familiar? You are not alone. Fortunately, you don’t have to embark on this alone either – you can bring your four-legged friend along for the ride.

Among many, there is one massive obstacle that stands between you and your resolutions: Time. There’s your job, family, friends, and your pets, all vying for your attention. The problem is, not making exercise part of your daily routine isn’t just hurting you – it’s hurting your dog too.

Just like us, dogs need exercise to stay balanced, happy and healthy. Dogs gain many of the same benefits from exercise as we do. Exercise keeps weight down, wards off disease, tones muscles, boosts the energy and keeps both you and your dog balanced and happy. 61% of Canadians and 44% of dogs are defined as overweight by Forbes Health and the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Here’s how to make sure you both don’t end up in the doghouse and fall into that group.

This year, include your dog in your fitness resolution
They are the perfect exercise buddy: they don’t judge you, they never stop loving you, and they are an incredible source of positive energy. What’s better than knowing you’re improving your health and happiness together?

Make a realistic commitment
Why do most resolutions fail? They are made with the best of intentions, but they don’t fit into your lifestyle. Your dog needs a minimum of 30-60 minutes of exercise each day, but that doesn’t mean you have to be galloping next to him every time. Aim to exercise with your dog 3 days each week – book that time into your mental calendar and commit to it.

Build your routine
My favourite way to exercise with my dog is to combine cardiovascular activity (walking or running depending on your fitness level) with stationary strength segments at spaced out throughout your workout. It keeps your dog engaged and focused on you because he’s been asked to both follow you on leash while you move, and work on his patience while sitting or lying down as you strengthen your muscles. Keep your strength exercises simple (squats, lunges, planks and push-ups are great classics), focus on your form, and don’t forget to warm-up your muscles slowly and cool down them down gradually with slow stretches.

Equip yourself

• Dress for the weather. If you’re outdoors, layer so that you can remove and put on clothing as you get warmer and cooler.
• Wear comfortable, appropriate footwear. Running shoes, cross-trainers or light hiking boots are best.
• Bring water for both you and your dog. Let your dog have water mid-way through your workout and at the end, but be very careful that he doesn’t drink too much or too quickly. It can cause a sometimes fatal condition called bloating, something we all want to avoid.
• Grab a leash that’s easy to handle. My favourite attach around your waist, leaving you with both hands to exercise. Here’s an excellent one from Canine Equipment, and it’s fully adjustable. Avoid retractable leashes (they are heavy and can get twisted around you and your dog, causing burns)

Keep your dog engaged and motivated
Like humans, dogs love working for a reward. What really motivates your dog? For some, it’s food (freeze dried liver and tiny bits of cooked hot dog are among our favourites). For others, it’s a great toy (squeaky or not). Some dogs are suckers for a bit of love from their human. Whatever the reward, make sure you head out on your workout armed and ready to give your dog positive feedback as soon as he successfully does something you ask.

Understand and work within your dog’s limits
Remember, exercising next to you is likely to be new for your dog, so their excitement level will probably be higher and any former training might fly out the window at first. Be patient, and set him up for success. If you’re working on a sit/stay while you do lunges or squats and your dog is continuously breaking the stay, you’re probably asking too much of them. Try moving to a less distracting space and asking your dog to hold the stay for a much shorter period of time until he is consistently doing it successfully. Only then do you start to increase the demands on him. Patience will pay off in spades here. Remember that frustration travels directly down your leash and will only serve to add unnecessary angst to the situation. Stay calm and remember: this is new for your pooch.

Working within your dog’s age and breed limits is also important. Just like us, dogs slow down as they get older and some dogs are better suited to exercise than others. If you have an older or less active dog, focus more on stationary exercises and brisk walking instead of extended periods of jogging.

Form or join a group
To keep things interesting and add a social aspect to your workouts, look to join a group in your neighbourhood. It can be as simple as asking friends from the dog park to change up their routine with you. Building a group will help you to stick to your plan and continue your path to healthier habits with your dog. Having people around you means you can also add a new dimension to your workout and your dog’s training: ask your dog for a sit/stay, then have a friend watch him while you do 2-3 short, quick sprints moving away from your dog and then back towards him. You can rest while your friend takes her turn. This is a great way to improve your dog’s stays and bump your heart rate up to the next level.

Reap the benefits of regular exercise with your dog
Now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labour! Here are just some of the benefits you’ll experience:

• Bond with your dog: spending structured, active one-on-one time with your dog is one of the best ways to strengthen your relationship (and make exercise more fun)

• Improve your dog’s behaviour: running around a dog park with others is fun for a dog, but being connected to you on-leash and being asked to follow, sit, stay & listen will do wonders for his manners
• Improve your overall strength: a program that combines cardio, strength and flexibility exercises will improve your strength, mood, help with weight loss, and increase your muscle tone

• Save time: tick your workout and your dog’s exercise off your list at the same time, leaving you with more free time in your day

The top three New Year’s resolutions are spending more time with family and friends (including four-legged ones), getting fit and losing weight. If you exercise alongside your dog, you can commit to sticking to all three resolutions and have fun while you’re at it!

It may not be December 1st yet, but we’re starting to feel holiday spirit in the air. With that in mind, Fetching invites you and your dog(s) to our First Annual Holiday Party! It’s taking place on Sunday December 11th from 1-3pm at St. Aiden’s Church, 70 Silver Birch Avenue (south entrance off the driveway).

Here are just some of the fun things we’ll be doing:

• Santa Paws: professional photos with your dog and Santa
• Cutest doggie Christmas outfit
• Best pet trick
• Present opening race
• Best nose race
• Agility course practice
• Refreshments & snacks
  

Hope to see you all there! You’re welcome to bring friends and family, or anyone who’s curious to find out more about Fetching’s programs.

Team Fetching

We are a unique company based in the GTA that runs exercise programs people and dogs do together. From guided hikes to agility to boot camps you do with your dog, we do it all. Hard to visualize? Watch our video.

We’re growing fast and currently have an opening for a Dog Trainer Apprentice to work alongside our Dog Trainer.

The ideal person:

• loves dogs and is completely comfortable around them
• is very fun to be around
• works hard, never quits
• inspires people around them and has an energetic presence
• has some experience training dogs, but is looking for a structured, supportive learning environment to improve their training skills
• is professional, mature & approachable
• comfortable working in collaborative environment
• supports positive reinforcement training entirely (does not use physical corrections but rather uses reward-based training)

More details:

• Leaside location: Saturday 12:30-2:30pm Agility Course, Tuesday 6:45-7:45pm Obedience/Exercise course (starting in January, minimum 4 month commitment)
• compensation negotiable

Sound like you? Send us an email at info@fetching.ca and tell us why the job is perfect for you. Look forward to hearing from you!

Hiking outside provides a nice balance: it allows you and your dog to get exercise together. Saturday, November 19th was our third class of the new Tails on Trails program. We went to the beautiful Brickworks and the weather could not have been nicer.  We walked two different trails throughout the morning each surrounded by beautiful trees and covered with fall leaves.

Hikes are a fantastic way to keep moving but it’s important to remember certain things when bringing along your four-legged friend.

1. Choose a dog friendly place to hike. Our group has gone to the Brickworks, Ashbridges Bay and Rouge Hill so far. All three places have been very dog friendly and have options for letting dogs off leash.  Everyone we pass had a dog and the trails oozed with “doggy” energy. Brickworks even offered a dog-friendly farmers market which was a great place to pick up fresh, organic food.
2. Bring snacks and water for you and your dog. If you are going for a long walk make sure that you bring snacks to fuel yourself and your pooch. Bringing water for your dog will also keep them out of any dirty rain puddles you might encounter on your hike.
3. Layer your clothing. You would be surprised how great a workout you get when hiking with your dog. I often start with my winter jacket and quickly realize that just my sweater will do it given how much you end up working. I was happy for the lack of heavy outerwear when we were doing some of the killer leash moves on the trails. Bring a sweater and a vest instead of your bulky winter coat so you can move just as freely as your dog.
4. Hike in a pack. Exercising is always way more fun when you do it with others; and with dogs the more the merrier.  When you have one or more people there to talk to time seems to just fly and those hills don’t seem as steep.

The fall is a great time to hike and spend a morning outside. Hiking lets you get in your workout and not feel sad about leaving your dog at home. Tails on Trails has been trying new places each week, each one better than the next. Hiking is a great way to keep it moving on weekends and have quality time with your dog. All you need is a leash!

Written by Zaz Wright, Team Fetching

Pup-Up Classes: Details

Do you love Fetching’s concept but have trouble committing to our weekly programs? Our Pup-Up Classes might be the perfect solution for you and your dog. Whenever the weather is gorgeous, Pup-Up classes will “pop-up” in the East end of Toronto (Beaches neighbourhood). These spontaneous, social classes are a great way to take advantage of a free evening and lovely weather without the commitment to a regular program.

Here’s how it works:

• If it’s a nice day, expect an email from Fetching by 11am with the time/location for that evening’s Pup-up Class
• If you’re free and in the mood for a high energy, fun workout with your dog that evening, email us back: the first 8 people to email back make up that evening’s class!
• 2 pricing options: $25 drop-ins or $200 for 10-classes (+ HST)
• Notes:
  • Save 10% on a 10-class pass if you already take a Fetching program
  • 10-class pass expires 1 year from purchase
  • Fetching guarantees 15 classes per year

To get your name on our email list or purchase a 10-class Pup-Up pass, contact us.