Everyone wants a happy healthy dog that lives a long time. We hate to think about losing our dogs or that they may be in pain. They are part of the family and for some of us, they are our only companions. If you knew of a way to give them a longer and better quality of life you would do it. This class gives you the tools to do that. 

Injuries aren’t just for dogs that compete in dog sports. I have had people tell me that their dogs pulled muscles or tore ligaments playing fetch, going up and down the stairs, and getting in and out of vehicles. My daughter’s dog broke a leg we think jumping off the couch. We aren’t sure because it happened when everyone was at work. We also don’t know how long he was lying there hurting before someone got home. While exercises won’t prevent broken bones, I shared the story because it shows dogs get into things and can get hurt doing everyday things and it’s not just sports or working dogs that can benefit from building and strengthening the muscles that support their joints.

Just like with humans, the more fit we are the few injuries and health problems we have. My Healthy Dog uses games and other fun activities to build and strengthen the muscles that support joints and the skeletal system. This helps prevent injuries when having fun playing fetch, hiking trails, or playing sports. It also reduces the risk of injuries and age-related diseases like arthritis and other joint problems. Being fit can also help reduce recovery time. The skills and techniques taught in class can also help you identify problems more quickly so they are treated quicker. If caught early, problems are less severe and recovery is faster. 

My Healthy Dog is an 8-week class that covers proper stretching, builds balance, coordination, strength, endurance, and increases body awareness. It is also good for building confidence, teamwork, and curtailing destructive behaviors. This class has 4 levels. We start all dogs at levels 1 and 2. There is an assessment if you would like to work into levels 3 and 4. The assessment is to ensure that the dog has enough muscle strength to work at these levels without injury.