Laurie's Blogs.

So, I got to thinking that with this being such a busy time of year, and the chance that the weather outside is frightfully cold (or hot… depending on which side of the equator you reside), that you may have a need to recommend some time-saving indoor exercises to your patient's holiday regimen!  And of course, this is so important for old dogs that need regular exercise, or the young dogs that need the mental release that exercise provides, and for all of the dogs in-between - just because!

Okay, now let's get to thinking (and recommending to your clients) about what can be done for some indoor exercising.  We are going to rely on the principles of high(er) intensity interval training, as well as using the dog's mind to exhaust the dog.

• Land Treadmill:  You can get a fairly good workout on a land treadmill, with very slow speed (0.5mph) even.  Start with getting the dog on & off with treats while the treadmill is not moving.  Then turn it on as slow as possible and do the same.  And to keep them on, try using treats, but if you need to straddle the treadmill and hold them on (with an arm under the abdomen)… then give that a try too.  
• I call this 4-on-frwd.  This is a warm up.  Try doing this for 3 - 5 minutes.  
• Then try with the front feet off on the front platform of the treadmill (or put a stool in front of the treadmill if no platform exists).  When they've got a hold of this, then push on their rear end to one direction for about 10 seconds, then the other for 10 seconds, then place a finger in front of each thigh and provide a wee bit of resistance to each leg.  You could even try adding socks, weights, bells, or hair scrunchies around the dog's rear legs to get a different (high stepping) work-out.  Mix it up a bit! Try this one for 5 - 7 minutes. 
• Next try holding the dog onto the treadmill facing backwards - to make the dog walk backwards.  This is usually quite unnatural for the dog (and hence a great workout - mentally & physically).  I find that I just hang onto the dog to keep him / her in place with this one.   Over time the dog may figure out what's going on and you won't have to hold on the whole time.   Hang on for about 5 minutes if you can!
• Lastly, do one more round of forward 4- on or 2- on.  (3 - 5 minutes worth).

 

• Walking household obstacles:  Another day of exercise could encompass walking over or around objects.  

• Line up rows of things to step over (broom handle, mop handle, row of soup cans, kids toys, dirty laundry etc).  Go back and forth for several minutes.  Maybe even try asking for a back-up over the objects.
• Pull out kitchen chairs and do figure of 8's around them, or weave around a row of them.
• Use the same kitchen chairs, and mop & broom laying overtop of two of them and ask the dog to crawl under (if the dog is smaller, have them crawl under the chairs themselves, or under the bed or couch. (I have no idea what everyone's furniture looks like… I'm just going to give ideas!!)
• What about jumping onto the couch / off the couch (or fireplace hearth, or bed, etc)?  (if safe for the dog.)

 

• Racing down the hallway:  In my basement, I have a long hallway that leads to my studio (where I shoot my videos).  The best way to get my dogs to join me in a video shoot is to lead them downstairs and then run down the hallway while squealing as if they are chasing me.  (Can't you just picture it?)  But it works great.  Now if I were to run each direction a few time (squealing all the way… well, then we'd both get exercise.)  If I got tired then I could throw a toy down the hallway a few times and have him/her retrieve it.  Maybe I chase them and we race toward the toy... okay, that isn't rest for me anymore however!  Now, make sure that your hallways has good footing.  If need be (i.e. the floor is not carpeted), pick up some inexpensive rubber-backed mats to make the game safe for everyone.

 

• Stairs:  Put your dog on leash and walk slowly up and down the stairs.  On-leash means you can control the speed and individual leg use.  Stop half way and just hang out for a few seconds in the up or the down position, then continue.  If the dog is spry enough, then start at the bottom and race him or her up the stairs.  (I can never beat my white Borzoi at this.  I CAN sometimes out climb the shelties however!  And I've never tried it with my rescue Borzoi…  I'll have to do that this season!)

 

• Hide and Seek:  This can be a game where the person hides and then makes ridiculous noises until the dog comes to find him / her.  Alternately, play 'find it' with the dog by hiding a treat somewhere in a room.  Tell the dog to 'find it' and then help him / her to learn the game.  Eventually, you can shut the dog in another room, hide the treat, then let him / her into the 'treat room', say "find it" and the game is on!  (I believe this is called nose-work.)  Use it to your advantage as an indoor exercise game!

 

• Lastly, teach your dog tricks and use all of that fancy balancing equipment (i.e. Fitpaws or other brands).  Check out videos (do a youtube search on Fitpaws and you will find TONS of exercise ideas)… but you don't need the fancy equipment either.  You can use crappy old polyester pillows (you know, the old ones you had in college or the ones on the bed in the spare bedroom).  Or use a half filled hot water bottle, or big fat textbooks, or a basketball stuffed into a pot, or pull the cushions off a couch, or just do exercises while on the bed.  Now, look up some tricks to teach the dog:  backing up, beg, bow, play dead, crawling, figure of 8 between legs, spin, etc (I'm not the most creative about these… so I'd need a book or videos to think of more!)

And this, my friends, could be part of your winter exercise regimen recommendations (oops, or southern hemisphere sweltering summer indoor exercise solutions).  So don't forget to help encourage indoor exercise.  Sometimes the only thing that clients need is a little inspiration to come up with ideas and some motivation to continue exercising even if getting outside is less than appealing.  

Cheers!

Laurie