Not a season goes by here in New England when I’m not complaining about the weather, and this summer is no different. If you don’t like the heat, you might want to move here. We’ve had some hot and humid spells here and there, but they only last a few days and next thing we know it feels like fall. The mornings are cool and the afternoons hot in the sun. That’s all fine, if I only knew how to dress for the day, and if swimming wasn’t the activity I wanted to focus on with the dogs this year. I head out dressed for a cool walk only to find out it’s really hot in the sun!
In spite of that, maybe you’ve seen the photos in previous posts, we’ve been getting some swimming in. The hot spells just don’t always seem to fall at the times when I’m not working or busy and have time to take the dogs for an outing. I just can’t seem to get into a routine of when to walk, when to play, and when to just chill out. Listening to the weathermen doesn’t help much, as you probably know.
However, we’ve been keeping busy and we’ve added some new activities as well. Everyone gets a big outing at least once a week, either a walk or a swim with the Momz. There are short walks as I have time here and there. It used to always be that we’d fill that in with lots of fetch play in the yard and cooling off in the pool, but Cricket’s on and off limp has returned so we’ve had to curtail that somewhat.
She’s had this limp before and it always cleared up after a couple days of rest or easy play only. But we let her overdo it a couple weekends ago, and now it is showing up far more often. I see a visit to the vet coming soon, and I dread that. Our little beagle LIVES to play ball, and the thought of having to restrict her exercise just breaks my heart. It also makes it difficult to get the other two dogs the exercise they need, without making her feel left out and upset. I will probably have to enlist the hubby’s help to split them up and get them each what they need. Right now I think walks are OK for her and other light activities, unless the vet tells us otherwise. I’ve also been teaching her to heel when we’ve been walking, just to make it a bit more interesting.
In the past, Sheba had been our girl usually on restricted activity, with her arthritis. But we’ve been increasing hers and she’s doing great. We even did a 3.5 mile walk with my sister last week, plus a short swim in there, and she did great! I had originally planned on taking all three dogs but wasn’t sure if Cricket should go that far, but also didn’t want to leave her home alone. These are the typical difficulties of having multiple dogs, aging dogs, and an odd number to boot. I left Luke home with Cricket, but felt bad about it. Sometimes I just have to take turns with them, and it was Sheba’s turn.
Luke is young, he needs more exercise than his sisters. The girls are usually ready to call it a day by evening, but Luke still has some energy left, so we take him outside and get him to run around with his Tuggo toy, or if we can get him going, he will do some serious zoomies around the yard (I wanted to get video of that but haven’t succeeded yet). He also has some other activities throughout the days; he is learning a new trick, putting away his toys. That is going well, and I’ll fill you in more on that for the Positive Pet Training hop coming up the first week of August (hopefully with video too).
We got a ramp for the car to help Sheba getting in and out. I’m training all of the dogs to use it. Luke has bad knees, and Cricket may be small enough to pick up in and out of the car, but what if we go swimming? Picking up a soaking wet dog is not high on my list of fun! I’ll be writing a review on this ramp next month (giveaway too!), and will tell more about how we are training them to use it. It gives us something else to do and I think learning new things like that is good for them mentally, as well as it gets them moving just a bit more. I couldn’t get a photo of Sheba on the ramp, since she is the most nervous about it, and I just couldn’t coordinate it alone! But the other two have it down so far (it’s not on the car yet).
One last thing we’re trying is agility “weave poles”. We got some in the home agility set that we won last year, and I thought it would be fun for all of the dogs to try to learn to do them (trust me, none of them are going fast enough yet for it to be too much for Cricket’s injury). Since our training involves treats, they all get excited about it and I think they’re having fun (even if they’re not doing that well!). We’ve had their tunnels out as well at times, in between rain. I couldn’t get any photos of them weaving, again, not coordinated enough!
I’m learning to be more flexible. Sometimes my blog posts have been going up later than I’d like, but I’m trying to put the dogs’ needs first, and if it is hot, that means exercise comes first in the morning when I would normally write (I’m not sure I’ll ever get ahead on my writing!). Maybe before the summer is over, Mother Nature will have made up her mind, Cricket will be healed, and we can get into a routine. But for now, we’re just doing the best we can to get as much fresh air and exercise of sorts as we can!
We are joining the FitDog Friday blog hop. Join our hosts SlimDoggy, To Dog With Love and MyGBGVLife, and also visit other blogs through the links below to learn more about keeping your dogs fit and happy!
I can relate. Since I got sick, it has been hardest on the dogs (although right now they are happily snoozing). Hubby has gotten Freighter back into training last weekend so he is getting exercise. The older ones are getting the short end a bit. I can’t walk any of them for fear they might pull and I can’t manage that right now. Hubby did get them out for some water retrieves yesterday and that did a good job tiring them out. Hopefully soon we can get back to more normal exercise.
I know what you’re saying. We work so hard to keep the dogs active and fit, but if the human is down and out, the dogs can sure get the short end. I have to have hand surgery in the fall, and it will be especially tough on the dogs.
Oh I feel your pain. I really think Delilah could use more exercise than she is getting, but it’s just so hard, not to mention time consuming. I really should schedule in some type of training, just to help keep her mind sharp!
I think you are wise to train them all on the ramp. If I could go back, I would never have taught my dogs to jump into the car or onto furniture, I would definitely have trained them on ramps and stairs. Can’t wait to see those videos.
I agree, Jodi, if I could go back I would train all the dogs to use stairs and ramps. We’ll have to remember that for any future additions. 🙂
I should spend more time training the girls too. But they just don’t enjoy it as much or respond like Luke does. We do a little bit, but I do far more with him (and being young, he needs it more too).
Wow, there are so many activities going on there. Looks like you’re doing a fabulous job of keeping your crew busy! I love how you put your dogs first, even before your own writing. How did you teach Luke to put away his own toys? This I must learn so I can teach my Mila!
Thank you! I will be putting up a post on Monday telling how I trained Luke to put his toys away (and it’s still a work in progress), I hope you’ll come back to read it. It really was fun!
Awesome post! I remember using the agility “weave poles” in college soccer! 🙂 This is such a great piece on how to keep your pups physically fit. We are getting a golden, actually bringing her home this Saturday, and we know that goldens are prone to bone and joint diseases such as arthritis. We have tones of lakes we plan on taking her and will definitely look into that agility set! Thanks for sharing, we’re so glad we found your site!
That is so exciting that you are getting a golden puppy!! I’m glad you found us too. I will be spending some time reading your blog as well, and following the story. One thing I would recommend down the road is that you put your pup on joint supplements when she’s older, but not too old. I wish we’d started Sheba on them when she was 4-5 years old instead of waiting until her arthritis diagnosis. I think it would have helped. But swimming is one of the best activities for their joints. We had another golden, Moses, and he didn’t like swimming! He liked the water, but never would actually swim. But I think if we had taken him more and let him gradually get used to it, he would have (but we lost him to cancer at only 8 years old).
I am so sorry for your loss Jan. And thank you so much for your advice, it’s definitely a learning experience and we’re lucky to have found people like you for all the help! 🙂
My blog posts are all over the hemisphere too lately, and for the exact same reason – the boys come first. Lot’s going on here in Doodleville, and I’ve agreed with my sanity not to let it get the best of me. I shall do what I can, when I can. Looks like your pack are really getting a lot of exercise this summer – good for you!
It sounds like you’re doing a wonderful job providing your pups with mental & physical exercise! Treats on the ramp are a great idea, and so is using them with the weave poles. I found a home weave pole set for 5 bucks at a thrift store last year, and set it up on rainy days inside the house for something fun to do.
Have you tried adding some turmeric powder (I hear turmeric paste is even better!) to the pups’ meals? It’s a great natural anti-inflammatory & pain reliever! It’s also said to have anti-cancer properties; we add a few sprinkles to our pups’ meals every single day.
Thank you, Barbara! This crew is very treat oriented, so they usually work well! I tried the weave poles with a leash at first, and it just didn’t work…the treats help much more. I’ll have to look for an indoor set as well.
We do add turmeric to the dogs’ food, thanks for mentioning it! I actually get the pure version (curcumin). It came to my attention when Sheba had a cancerous tumor removed, and we want to do everything we can to keep any cancer from returning (so far so good, knock wood). I don’t think I realized it also had pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties as well though.
That’s exactly how & when we started using the turmeric: after Missy was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor, had it removed, and underwent 4 rounds of chemotherapy.
It’s so good to hear that Sheba kicked cancer’s butt!!!
And Missy beat it too, I hope? Sheba didn’t have to have any chemo, but we couldn’t be sure for a while if the vet had successfully removed it all…but it’s been months now and since it was fast growing we believe that he did.
Considering the number of animals we have lost to cancer, this has been a really big win for us, and we’re so grateful for it.
Yes, Missy kicked cancer’s nasty butt as well!!
I’d LOVE to move up there; but I’d never get Sam to agree to it. Every year just gets hotter and buggy-er down here. UGH!! I used to be able to spend at least 2 hours every morning outside with the girls. Not this year. Even at 11:30 at night it’s still humid.
Half of my family up here wants to move further south. No one likes the winters anymore…. and they can seem pretty long at times!
The grass is always greener on the other side, isn’t it? 🙂
That’s for sure!
It must be hard trying to accommodate everybuddy’s needs and wants. But you’re doing a great job.
Camp WagnWoofs looks like a blast.
You’re doing a great job balancing everyone’s needs. It’s never easy. But everyone looked pretty happy in that pool.
Sometimes you just do the best you can. Sounds like all are staying active. Have fun!
I used to find it challenging to walk 2 dogs (shadow and Ben). Shadow was an angel (being a yellow lab and all). Benji always was here, there, and everywhere. So we’d trip a lot and leashes would tangle. After we lost our beautiful Shadow, I thought walks might be easier. Lol. Nope. Benji is still all over the place and tangling himself around mIlboxes and trees. I can’t imagine walking your 3 dogs together (and I know them and love them). You’re doing great with everything that you’re doing. 🙂
Thanks, Auntie Sheryl! Even Tom couldn’t handle walking all three dogs with two of us. He has no patience for the tangling leashes. I think two people could handle three dogs though, if they had more patience than him. I use shorter leashes now too, no more retractable, and that does make it easier.
Weather is definitely a pain. It’s been a really hot summer here so we’re having to adjust. Mr. N thinks that it means he should get twice the amount of normal walks. One during his regular time and the one that we take earlier in the day to avoid the heat.
Love the picture of all of them in the pool! 🙂 Agility is fun, isn’t it? I rotate my dogs for walks and hiking. I know that feeling. 🙂 And living in Florida, I have often wished I lived up where you are! I cannot imagine how nice it is to not live in constant heat and humidity like we have here. It’s awful. Ugh.
Yes, if we have two months of hot weather, I’m good with that, and ready for Fall! 🙂
Paw-some activities you guys are doing! I love the once a week outings too!!! Well done!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
You are super busy! I love that Luke is putting away his toys. I could never even teach my kids to do that! LOL! Please give Cricket an extra kiss. I hope the leg feels better. ♥
Thank you….if kisses could only be cures, right? 🙂
It’s funny you said that about your kids, because the book I have on clicker training says just that. “Now that you’ve taught your dog to put away their toys, you can teach your kids!” LOL….I bet no one ever thought of clicker training for children!
You have given us some great ideas for summer fun. Thanks for being creative.
I hear you! The weather is the same here, although I am enjoying the cooler nights even if it is warmer during the day.
I struggle with exercising the dogs too, I know they would each do better if we had one individual walk each day but I really feel that time doesn’t allow for that and on the weekends when I do have time, I have so many other things I’d rather work on. 🙂
I think finding the right balance for what you and your dogs need at any given time is challenging (to say the least.) But eventually I think we get there. 🙂
I think we always do the best we can, don’t we? There are many people who don’t exercise with their dogs at all, so I think you and I are way ahead of the game even if we still feel we could do better.
There are a lot of dogs in our neighborhood, and I only ever see one of them being walked. They must really wonder about me, when they see me with three different ones at times!
I can only imagine how hard it is to keep three different dogs active! Can’t wait to see the ramp that’s such a good idea. Now that my knee seems to be okay mom is trying to take us on one big activity a week too. But now the heat and humidity is finally here so we know how hard it is to plan. Love the three in the pool! Love Dolly
Wow you guys know how to keep busy. Love the home agility set.
Every buddy in the pool!
Lily & Edward
We feel your pain with the weather! I have been loving the cooler temperatures this summer because fall has always been my favorite season, so having several extra months of fall is not a problem for me, but it does make it hard to decide what wardrobe I need to have out. Yesterday we went for an early morning walk at the lake and as an afterthought I grabbed a light jacket and tossed it in the car–I was happy I had because it was only 59 degrees along the water when we started our walk (of course, by the end, I had to remove a layer)!
It sounds like summer camp at your house! Swimming, walking, weave polls, tunnels…lots of summer activities and great exercise!
Mine are professionals at both weaves and tunnels, being agility competitors! Maybe mine could help teach your pack? Hehe!
I wish we lived close to each other, because we could sure use help with agility! Luke is super fast and I know he could be good at it, but he has bad knees so we decided not to try to compete or anything at this time.
oh fun! We’ve started training “put away your toys too”. And, we’re working on “roll yourself up in a blanket”! Hope Cricket’s limp is nothing serious.
Luke… I’m deep impressed… you can put away your toys? WOW! I mean I can do that too but in another way hehehehe… my momma sighed as she saw this trick, but I have some doubts that it will work with me :o) I agree for the weatherman, we sit here with our shorts in the rain waiting for the sun and the 29°c that guy promised for today :o(
Hey, I know that tunnel! Bummer with the arthritis and limping. We are thankful Katie is doing so well with the Rejenease. It took her limp away in weeks and it has been totally gone since the end of Jan. Combining the Rejenease with the chiropractor has improved her walking form tremendously. She no longer drags her paw and she is walking straight. She is still super slow, but steady, and her back end collapses have been reduced a bit. One has to find the right combination and we are happy she doesn’t need any “drugs” from a vet. She will never be cured, but her quality of life has improved. Hope Cricket and Sheba can find a balance somehow. We all take turns with fitness around here. Once the dogs adjust to the “rotation” it shouldn’t be a big deal for them.
We are increasing Cricket’s dose of joint supplement, hoping that will show improvement, if not I still may switch her to the Rejenease. Sheba had a bad spell but seems to be doing well on the Wag for now. We’re trying not to rush Cricket to the vet, but of course we will when we feel we need to. We just don’t want to put her through any tests for now, because sometimes that makes it worse for a while.
We don’t have any chiropractors around here, but we do have someone that does cold laser therapy which can also be good for arthritis so we might talk to our vet about that.
We hope to keep everyone off drugs for as long as possible, I prefer to go the all natural route when we can. Sheba has Rimadyl onhand but hasn’t needed much, thank goodness, just a dose here and there.
I’m so glad Katie has been doing better!!