Fit PAWS…Fun and Much More!
Everyone that works out at a gym or with a trainer knows the emphasis on strengthening your core for overall health, but have you ever thought about that in the context of your dog? What’s amazing is how much fun dogs have working their core versus the torture most of us feel on the bosu.
Keep reading to find out how you can easily incorporate a couple of FitPAWS equipment pieces into fun, confidence building and better health for the dogs that attend your center.
I have been mesmerized with the FitPAWS concept and equipment since I first saw it at the Houston Dog Show two years ago. Our Queen of Fun, Debbie Oliver and Miss Daisy’s Dog Camp, saw the potential before that and shared with me how much dogs loved the equipment and the many benefits they observed from their program. So on my recent visit we had to spend some time talking and filming FitPAWS in action.
Let’s jump right in with a demo from Nicky, one of Debbie’s dogs, in a FitPAWS session. As you watch the demo clip keep in mind Nicky has been using the equipment for over a year, so don’t expect his level of performance right away. Notice his mental focus and physical body movements when working on the equipment.
FitPAWS is impressive in it’s flexibility of equipment and use. We love that Nicky was very focused and engaged using the equipment. He was eager to participate and his body language says he loved every minute of the session. Very little time was cut from this video session, so a lot of benefit can be had in short sessions (total session time was less than 7 minutes).
Debbie discussed their 30-minute sessions, but we also see 15-minute sessions being a very effective alternative for starting a program. These could be optional individual activities for dogs that attend daycare or lodge at your center.
So how do you get a dog started working with the FitPAWS equipment? Well the day we visited Miss Daisy’s Ollie was there for her first session. Join us for a peek as Misty Mills shows us tips on introducing FitPAWS to a dog as a fun activity.
Debbie and Misty are both certified trainers, but don’t let that intimidate you from trying FitPAWS. The most important skills in Ollie’s session were engagement and rewards for interacting with the equipment. Everyone has staff that bond with dogs easily and that dogs love to be with. Try them out as FitPAW Counselors and let the fun begin!
What dogs can benefit from FitPAWS? According to Debbie and Misty they have not met a dog yet that did not enjoy and benefit from a session.
Are you interested, but not sure how to explain FitPAWS to clients? Watch our next video as Misty offers insight on dogs she has worked with and how you can help dog owners understand the benefits.
Now that you are as excited as us about FitPAWS, what equipment should you buy? We asked Debbie and Misty for their recommendations if you could only have 3 pieces of equipment. Their choices were:
- A giant balance disk.
- If possible, I would get a pair of FitBones. If I couldn’t afford two, I’d still get one.
- I would get the largest peanut I could afford.
For a detailed explanation on their reasons for the choices and the five pieces of equipment they would keep in their program download A Beginner’s Guide to FitPaws Equipment.
During December FitPAWS is offering free shipping so it’s a great gift to your center, staff, dogs and clients. Robin and I have both done our shopping, but I’ve not yet told Bill I will be turning the garage into a FitPAWS studio soon.
We are so grateful to Debbie and Misty for sharing the fun of FitPAWS with our members! If you’ve got questions post them below and Debbie or Misty will reply if Robin and I can’t answer them. Please share your plans and experiences with FitPAWS and we’d love to see photos on our FaceBook page.
