We Start TOMORROW!

June 7, 2015-

The excitement builds today as we get ready to start our NEW training program tomorrow.....yippee! Today however we will be cheering on the race that runs by our house. The race is Run for Brit, check out the website....http://www.breatheforbritt.org/, there is a photo of her on the homepage and I gotta say she looks like she was a dog lover. The cause is cystic fibrosis, not knowing too much about this disease or condition I cannot speak too much about it BUT I would hope the research that this organization supports doesn't test on animals! We are hoping to see a lot of our running friends pass on by as we go for our walk along the course or maybe just hanging out on our driveway! We'll see!

Other than that we will be cleaning the house, yeah this needs to be done, somehow things get messy every so often!

Have you ever wondered what a house would say if the walls could talk?.....Pam was wondering this yesterday and posed this question to me.....I mean the house we live in has been through so much, I mean the house is older than Pam. She pretty much grew up in the house as her grandparents lived there and before moving into his own house with Pam's mom, her Dad lived in the house with his brother and sisters and parents. There have been many dogs that lived in the house and have know the house well. The changes that have taken place the music played in it, the photos taken in it.....the activities that took place in the house! Wouldn't that be interesting for a house to write a book on their experiences?!?!?!? hhhmmmm......

Ok, That was just something that Pam was thinking about that I thought I'd share I mean how interesting a question!

Moving right along......this week our training looks like this:

 

Week 1:
Day 1: 40 min CT or Rest
Day 2: 20 min TR + 2 hill repeats
Day 3: 30 min CT or Rest
Day 4: 4 min @ 8K effort x 3
Day 5: Rest
Day 6: 4 miles LR
Day 7: 3 miles ER

 

CT= Cross Training

TR=Tempo Run

LR= Long Run

ER= Easy Run

 

We will also be doing some CORE training, helping one another out of course, this training is NOT part of any cross training but added workouts......here's what it consists of:

 

Lying Leg Raises (20 reps)

Floor Crunches (25 reps)

Side Crunches (15 reps each side)

Russian Twists (30 reps)

Plank (to failure)

for Pam.....

 

And the exercises recommended by the AMC in NY for me......

 

As far as looking for a new dog, the meetup did not go well so we are still on the prowl for a shepperd mix, a female, and fairly younger not necessarily a puppy......so if anyone has a heads up for us please let us know.....we are searching all of the rescues locally and in NYS!.....Of course they need to be good with other dogs and people. Just to add Sandy is holding her own and lying peacefully but our side right now, although she does tend to give us a bit of a scare from time to time!

 

Until tomorrow, the beginning of our new training,

have a tail waggin' day,

Scout

Changing times......

June 6, 2015-

When I got to my home less than a year ago, I had the three of best friends ever, being my girlfriends Skyler and Sandy. A few months ago I lost my girlfriend Skyler, and these will be Sandy's final days. Pam has written a letter to Sandy to read to her so she knows that this is not the end of all of our time together. Skyler and the gang as waiting across the Rainbow Bridge for her, and we will all one day be together again their as our times come to cross over. Pam and I had planned on meeting a sheppard mix now named Sally at Kent Animal Shelter before Sandy goes on, and we hope to bring her home to meet Sandy so that Sandy can give her approval and meet her. By in no means are we ever replacing Skyler or Sandy, we are just helping fill these HUGE holes in our hearts and our lives that our dear wonderful best friends, our companions have left for the time being. If the meeting goes well we hope to bring Sally home and give her the name Sierra this weekend. Since Pam has gone through the adoption process and all before we hope there will be no problem in doing so. Of course, we know that this is something we must consider as blessing if it happens! We will explain out situation and hope for the best! We hope that the powers that be take into consideration Pam's role as dog trainer, health coach to the dogs as well as people, dog photographer (animal photographer specifically dogs), dog runner/ walker, and I hope I got all her titles there....oh yeah, author for animal health and wellness!

This weekend will be a tough possibly not so tough weekend depending on how things go.....also long with the awaiting of our new training schedule, which we are longing to start!

You can check out Sandy's blog for updates on her and her story this coming week!

Until tomorrow,
have a tail waggin' day,
Scout

 

Sit Up and Beg!

June 5, 2015-

For the final recommended exercise from the NYC AMC, we have the Sit Up and Beg!

Most of us already do this automatically. Come on admit it, whenever you see that mouthwatering food that your human just sat down to eat, you know what we all do....let's face it we all have done it once or twice if not still doing it! And then our humans tell us to stop begging, I'm sure you heard "No Begging!"

Good news friends, I have a reason for you to Sit Up and Beg....so go get your human best friend and have them read this.....yes, read on my two legged friends!

Sitting up and Begging is a GREAT exercise for the core! So encourage your dog to so! I am fortunate that Pam has never really stopped me from doing this, of course there are times when it is inappropriate to do so BUT if we learn when to and when not to we will be cute and adorable and get a great workout for the core. Oh and a great tasting treat- personally I like my Six Legged Companion Ice Cream Cones......You can see my best friend ever Skyler to the left enjoying her cone and me to the right enjoying mine. We'll write a blog with the recipe soon.

So anyway, I am giving you permission and am backed by the NYC AMC to Sit Up and Beg! I do want to add one warning.....if your dog has any back problems or is overweight please refrain from having your dog do this exercise. We do want to injure your dog, we want to strengthen their core!

If your dog has back problems there are other exercises to talk to your veterinarian about to help strengthen their core and not injure their back! And if your dog is overweight, it is time to GET THEIR LEASH ON and head out the door for a DAILY walk, at least once a day! If you do not have the time, you can always hire a dogwalker, or if you are unable to walk your dog. But if you can walk your dog PLEASE find the time to take a 10-15 minute walk once or twice a day!

Our training will start soon a short 3 days away from now, and we will be training for the NYC AMC Doggy Dash! Are you ready to train along with us?......Did you sign up for the Virtual Run to run along with us?!??!? In order to get the tshirt which is really cool.....you have to register before June 30th!

Okay, we are going to enjoy our last few days of rest,
Until tomorrow have a tail waggin' day,
Scout

A Rising Star!

June 4, 2015-

Ok, so we are back to go over a few recommended exercises that I will be putting into effect myself everyday starting next Monday. These once again are recommended by the NYC AMC.

Today we will be standing up and taking a bow for all our training efforts everyday!.....In fact yeah, we can do this as a stretch after our workouts! You know before we get that bagel to recarb with! Hehehehe.......

The exercise of the day is actually a two parter, here we go.....

Basically what we are doing is standing up on our hind legs- our two legged companions can help us do this.....they can hold a treat up above our heads high enough so we have to reach to get it (but not to high that we have no chance of getting that treat! LOL! Please do not tease us people!) We should be stretching our front paws out to try to reach and get the treat from you! If your dog needs a little help, let them put there front paws on you for a little added support!

The second part of this exercise is something we all do when we wake up in the morning, you know what it is- we all get up and do our morning stretch! We all do this when we want to play- it is also the sign for play time to our two legged friends, and of course our fellow canine companions!
Our human companions can help out by encouraging this action we do by giving it a name and telling us repeatedly when we naturally do it.....saying "take a bow" or "and now the star of the show".....and of course offering us our favorite treat, hey I love my treats, I gotta get them somehow right! (The treat can be food or a toy or a pat on the head, etc! Keep in mind it doesn't have to be any specific, ok specific to your dog, but just something your dog would love!)

This exercise benefits your dog because it provides needed extension of the spine! We can also do our versions of the same exercise by stretching on our tippy toes and reaching for the sky, then taking a bow after a great workout!

I am taking my bow in the photo above, after my performance in my training. I am a rising star are you today?

Until tomorrow,
have a tail waggin'day,
Scout

National Run Day 2015

June 3, 2015-

As you can see I am waiting and looking to go out and go for a run, short or long, as long as I get out there. Today is National Run Day.......this is a day where all the runners across the globe celebrate the art of running! This year we will just head out and go for a nice easy run and really enjoy every step we take along the way! We aren't sure exactly when or where we will head out to BUT we will put on our leashes and head out the door!

Since we're talking about running......Pam and I are inviting you to train with us virtually for our 5 mile run/ race coming up and then to sign up for our virtual race where you will be running alongside of us (now you can run on a treadmill, or better yet wherever in the world you are or want to run......)We will all sync up.....we will arrange the details with all participants in the next few weeks.....You will be able to start running the second we start running or you can run your 5 miles at anytime you wish!.....The main idea is to train for the event (afterall the journey is the important and fun part of it all, and I gotta say pretty darn exciting)......then run the 5 mile (or walk if your more of a walker).....ENJOYING every step along the way.....I am presently looking at giveaways for my participants! Don't worry both team members will get some great stuff! (You and your dog, or our Six Legged Companion Teams that is!)

I asked Pam to post the link to register for this race.....a portion of the proceeds will go towards Kent Animal Shelter. So without further adue here is the link to use:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/get-your-leash-on-registration-16662439806

It's an easy 5 miles.....although when you run or walk 5 miles you can burn a lot of calories and you can treat yourself to that creamy cupcake or a great massage afterwards, don't worry fellow canines I will blog about how to give us a proper massage! There is a simple easy way and certain things to consider, anyone can do it if done properly!

Hope you join us for the upcoming event, and of course join us in our blogs (which are posted on out facebook page as well) for 6 weeks of training for the run! So come on and Get Your Leash On!

Until tomorrows blog where we continue our series of exercises that the AMC in NY recommends,
have a tail waggin' Happy National Running Day,
Scout

Tug boat Rover!

June 2, 2015-

Today the exercise we all do....playing a game of tug of war with your dog! The AMC suggests to get your dog to pull straight back instead of going from side to side. To do this try to go as far down to the ground as possible with the rope or toy your playing tug of war with. This will work the front and hind legs.

Relax, this will help you as well! And hey it's lots of fun!

A good game of tug of war, is great exercise for you and your dog. Some of the benefits:

First your dog can improve strength and balance in their front and hind legs.
Second as you bend down to bring the tug toy close to the ground you can work your abs.
Third the act of tugging can be good to getting aggressions out on the tug!
and Fourth, it's just plain FUN and that alone is immeasureable to the quality of life to both you and your dog!

Ok, we are almost done with the suggested exercise from the NYC AMC, and a few short days away from starting our new training program....it will be weird not having a true long run! But we can work on other things rather than distance! 7 days left until we begin......Are you ready?....We may have a reason for you to train along with us tune in tomorrow and we'll discuss more about your opportunity.

Until tomorrow,
have a tug of war tail waggin' day,
Scout

Rollover......

June 1, 2015-

Rollover......today we'll be talking about rolling over. Yes, this is something the AMC in NY recommends to do with your dog!

Speaking of today, can you believe it is June already?!?!?!? Training is days away from starting for the Great NYC AMC Doggy Dash!

Ok moving right along......rolling over is easy to teach your dog ( I will admit some dogs will be more willing than others to rollover, so some time maybe needed for some dogs!) The level of trust needs to be there with your dog, as your dog will be totally submissive as he or she is on their back and at your mercy in a way while rolling over!

Ok, so here is what you do:
have your dog lie on their side- this is fairly easy as your dog will do this automatically most of the time. Relax, you can take your time training your dog to lie on his or her side as well! This is the first step though.....

Next have that treat for your dog ready, be in a food treat, or favorite toy, etc......and show it to them BUT do not give it to them yet!

Now hold the treat in front of their nose and slowly raise the treat over their head so that you pretty much going behind their head move the treat as slow as needed to get your dog to move their head along with the treat, their bodies will ultimately follow!

This could be taught immediately or may take sometime to train. BUT keep with it, not all dogs can do this and it can impress your friends as well.....Work with your dog, and build the trust between you and your dog to allow your dog to be able to lie down and rollover.

Now, go work on this with your dog and have some fun!

I have more for you tomorrow,
until then have a tail waggin' day,
Scout