As is typical of me, I got off the fitness track by late summer. The only thing that was different this year was that I at least kept the dogs on track with getting exercise, even if it didn’t have the variety I know is better for them.
We still did some walking and Cricket and I did a little jogging, but not as much of either of them as I would have liked, and we didn’t get out swimming more like I wanted to either. Frankly, the summer wasn’t hot enough for much swimming, but it was still buggy enough to make it frustrating getting out there to walk. August always ends up being busy with social/family events and the month flies by and before you know it, summer is over. The one big difference this year was that I at least didn’t slack on getting the dogs out in the yard playing fetch:
- We were outside almost every single day playing.
- We even got out on rainy days (as long as it wasn’t pouring), though we didn’t really have many of those.
- We filled the pool when it was hot so the dogs could cool off, and we played for at least 30-45 minutes daily. On days when I worked at home, and on weekends, we often got an hour or more of play time.
- Cricket works the hardest, since she does most of the fetching, but when she is screwing around….cruising the yard with the ball in her mouth, tracking where it’s been, Sheba and Luke are often running around wrestling and playing bitey face, getting a little more exercise that way!
- When Luke has his turn to catch the ball, he plays keep away with it, and the girls will chase him around trying to get it back.
So, at least the dogs got their exercise, but what was really lacking was the Momz getting her exercise. Throwing the ball for the dogs gets me outside and moving some, one step better than doing nothing, but I knew I needed more. Here’s how I upped my game just a bit:
- I do several rounds of the yard cleaning up poop to start with. The yard is just big enough that I never find it all on the first round! It’s like a treasure hunt….OK, not really that much fun.
- I started walking laps around the perimeter of the yard in between throwing the ball, instead of just standing there waiting for Cricket to come back to me. Since Sheba and Luke don’t do as much running as Cricket does, I keep them moving more this way too. I call them to me to walk with me.
- Each lap I do one sprint up and down the stairs of the deck, and Luke almost always does that with me. No, this is not the most exciting way to get exercise, but it’s better than just standing there like I was doing!
- In the mornings I leave my coffee in the house, so I’m forced even more to go up and down those deck stairs whenever I want a sip (which is often since I’m a coffee addict)! I think sometimes simple little things like that can help (I’m one of those people that always parks far away from where I’m going…..it drives my friends crazy).
Now with the weather changing to fall, and cooling off very quickly this year, hopefully some things will change:
- We’ll get back into running or jogging more. I just need to come up with a plan. It helps that we can now walk any time of the day, without the heat being a factor, or the bugs being worse in the morning.
- Where we used to be inside in the evening hiding from the hot sun blaring on the deck, now my hubby and I are often outside trying to get the last warmth of the sun before it goes down (so much earlier)! The dogs come out with us and are even getting a little more late evening exercise! That’s when the impromptu game of Frisbee/football came about, which I shared photos of this week on my Wordless Wednesday – K9 Huddle post. It seems like it cools down and gets dark so much earlier now, but even if we get out there for another 15-20 minutes in the evening, I think that’s great!
- Luke has started back with some obedience training, which I’ll write more about in another post. We’ve been having some private lessons with a great trainer, and he’s learning clicker training (I mean my hubby and I are learning!). He’s doing great with it, and he gets two 10 minute sessions per day, one with me and one with my hubby.
- We hope to start some clicker training with the girls as well, because you can teach an old dog new tricks, and the girls have never been formally trained. I think it will be great for them. I’ve been working with Cricket in the yard to get her to stop barking when she wants me to throw the ball….and she’s getting better already!
That will also give us something else to do this winter, when we’re stuck inside more. Let’s face it: that will be here before we know it too, so we might as well start planning ahead!
We are joining the FitDog Friday blog hop. Thank you to our blog hop hosts SlimDoggy, To Dog With Love and MyGBGVLife. Please visit their sites and others through the links below to learn more about keeping your dogs fit and happy!
It is wonderful that you are getting back in the swing. I have been slacking myself. I have just been so darn busy since August started. Keeping two houses (home and cabin) is a big job…lol. I am always running errands, doing laundry and cleaning. Not complaining, but I really need to get back out walking.
We used to have a camper parked seasonally at a campground and spent most of our weekends there. I remember very well how much work it seemed to be keeping up two places….and one always got neglected more….that was part of the reason we stopped camping. I was just burnt out. But I also miss it a lot! The one good thing about it was that we always walked when we were at camp though.
The little things (both the good and the bad) really add up. Last Sunday I just decided to make a real commitment to getting my exercise and eating right. Four days in, I fell off a ladder and broke my arm. Bleh. It will be trickier to walk the dogs for a while.
Oh, that’s just not fair! That is definitely going to be tough. I guess you’ll have to focus on the eating right part for a while. That’s another thing I’m always struggling with as well….I try, but don’t always do the best I can.
I desperately need to get back out there. Leo was my exercise doodle. Harley just stares at me as if he wants to say “I’m not the one!” BOL I may have to revert back to exercising by myself while he watches from the front porch.
It’s definitely easier to get motivated when you have a willing partner. Sometimes when I work out in the house on my Total Gym, the dogs think that looks like fun and want to join in. Maybe you can do something fun enough Harley might think it’s a game?
Sounds to us like you’re doing a great job staying active! All those little activities add up! It sure is better than sitting on the sofa!
Thank you! It really is better, isn’t it?
I posted about clicker training today and we’re doing a training challenge next month if you want to join in with your crew!
I didn’t realize there’s so many fun things you can do with the clicker! We are looking forward to trying more, and joining in on your challenge if we can.
It looks like your backyard is the fun place to play! I wish Bentley would play Frisbee, but he has no interest. Our German Shepherd was a Frisbee addict! It is great exercise.
We actually play ball more than Frisbee. We have to be careful about Sheba jumping too high for the Frisbee, with her arthritis, because she can make some really good catches. But I’d love to do it more, because I think Luke could be really good at it too!
It sounds to us like you are doing a good job at being creative and finding a way to keep active so we are very impressed. And we know how hard it gets to keep a schedule. In the evenings I always want to play fetch indoors, mom wants to watch TV, but when she wants some exercise she will use two balls (because I won’t give one up) and make me fetch back and forth while she goes and gets the ball I dropped. I tire out pretty fast after that (and her). Love Dolly
Thanks, Dolly! Luke is the opposite of you….he is an early morning guy, and when I just want to relax, drink coffee, and be on the computer and ease into the day, he wants to play! We’re just trying to figure out exactly what it is he wants to do! He’ll chase the ball, but won’t bring it back (we may have to try two like you do). xxoo
Awe Cricket!
Cricket is our bossy little girl, and we’re trying to just tone that down a little! 🙂
It really is the little things that add up!
I hope so! It certainly is way better than doing nothing, which always has me feeling awful!
The dogs look like they are having so much fun outside. We love Autumn! Happy Fit Dog Friday! – Petnetio
Thanks, Anu! Autumn is just the best time of year, isn’t it? Hope you are enjoying it like we are!
gads, don’t talk about winter being here soon. I hate the cold. Great pictures and keeping the doggies fit.
I know, sorry. I hate the cold too. Here’s hoping for a long autumn!
You three in the yard look just like my sisters and I in different fur! The cool temps are making us real wild and even Katie is up for more walking and stuff. Even if you didn’t do as much as you had hoped to, at least you are trying and doing something. The dogs all look quite happy and healthy.
Thanks, Emma. I do keep trying, so at least I have that going for me. 🙂 The cool mornings especially seem to energize the dogs and make them wild too!
I would like to celebrate fall like you Cricket! I like clicker training, that’s the only thing what I always remember …. a mystery lol
It’s the best way to celebrate, isn’t it? Total abandon! We had never tried clicker training before, so we’re glad it’s working for Luke and he likes it too.
You have absolutely got the secret down…just move around whenever you can. I take breaks during the day – at least 3-4 times and walk up the driveway with Jack – doesn’t seem like much, maybe 50 yards…but it adds up. Weather is always a bummer, but cool temps should help. Keep it up!
Thank you so much! I’m glad you think it’s helping, because you are the experts! When I’m working on the computer, I just have to get up every so often and move around too.
Great bunch of photos!! I have to several round of yard poop cleanup too, and still,….I always manage to miss one tiny little piece which I of course step on! haha!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
LOL….oh yes, every time!!! Especially if you’re wearing your good shoes! I have old shoes to wear around the yard, but sometimes I don’t feel like changing them if I’ve just gotten home from work or something. That’s always when I’ll step in something!
Just more proof that if you own a dog you will live longer because you will be more active.
It’s so true, Jim!!!