Vavavoom! Sporting a Canine Svelte Waistline

Romping In Fresh Snow

 My dogs get so excited when we have a fresh snowfall and they get to run through a new snow drift. Sad the fun is often short lived because sometimes this follows; slushy roads,  sidewalks covered with paw burning salt and I swear the brutal winter winds start howling in my ear "take cover - hibernate". This is the time of year I have to start getting creative to keep myself and the dogs active both physically and mentally. 

Participating in "Show Off Your Waistline Campaign" at Dawg Business. 

"Dog obesity has become a real epidemic, and we can change it! Bloggers and veterinarians everywhere are uniting to share pictures and stories of their dog's weight loss struggles and successes." ~ Dawg Business

Step One: Watch how much you feed.

Visit Dawg Business and look at the chart on what a dog's weight should be. Where does your dog's waistline fit in; underweight, just right or overweight? Kodee is a good weight for her frame and has a nice defined waist - seriously it is under all that hair somewhere. In winter I watch their waistlines and sometimes cut back their food a little if our activity level has dropped and weight gain begins.

My first dog a Labrador was not so lucky - I didn't notice the weight creep up during her senior years. Jessie developed arthritis and her hips bothered her as she aged. If I had kept her weight better managed, I think she would have had less wear and tear on her joints and been spared a lot of discomfort in her senior years.

Get Cooking!

Sweet Potato Treats
Monica Segal's Cookie Recipe
Wheat-Free Sweet Potato Chicken
20+ Healthy Dog Recipes and Books

Kodee's reaction to the first time I fed her a new alfalfa based food! She has gotten over the taste oddity now and loves it.

Step Two: Watch what you feed.
I don't like to get into the debate of whether a dog's diet should be raw, home-cooked or a high grade commercial food. Different lifestyles, economics, dog health problems will dictate what works best on an individual basis. Don't fool yourself  into thinking a svelte waist is a healthy waist.

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Home-cooked Premixes
The Key to Balanced Homemade Diets
Raw Diets for Dogs & Cats

Keeping Busy During the Storm

Do your dogs look out the window - barking at whatever in a fit of boredom in the winter? I set out to find new ways to keep the dogs occupied this winter to help keep my sanity slightly above normal. Thin dogs on rationed diets, sitting at home all day and cuddling you at night on a couch are not really healthy dogs - physically or mentally.

Step Three: Get Moving.

I signed up for my first online learning experience at Agility-U in their course Nosework Games. I'm not completely enthralled with this type of dog sport but I am really pleased with the online learning atmosphere. I will be signing up for more courses - a trick class appeals to me a bit more I think.

Can't Get Out - Bring the Fun In!
Cyber Rally
Paws 4 Fitness
Musical Dog Sport Association Online Workshops
Do More With Your Dog - Trick Title
Dogmantics - Free Training Videos
E-Training For Dogs



We do play a gentle version of fetch or tug in the house or some fun training because they need mental stimulation too. OK no mocking me; here is their favourite indoor game. First I put the dogs in a sit/stay. Next I go hide; under a table, upstairs, behind doors and then call "Find Mommy". Off they charge to find me and the small treat I hold. It takes a brave woman to admit online they spend their days playing hide and seek with their dogs. Hey, don't knock it - when you see A. your dog's love this game B. they get a good cardio workout and C. they nod off relaxed so you can watch the next Grey's Anatomy episode uninterrupted, you'll appreciate I shared my game.



A friend taught my dog a different version of this game. Hide small treats and then release your dog with "Find the cookies". Off they charge, frantically sniffing out the goodies. Thinking it might put my Nosework lessons to good use I gave it a go. Oh boy, problem with this game is Kodee sits in the living room all day now staring at the couch, whining for me to hide a cookie. There is always hope your dogs are better mannered like my friend's and GET the game is over!


(((Kodee! Enough!)))

Go Fetch!
Pet obesity graphic produced by Matt Beswick for Pet365. Click below to see the full size version.

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