Natural Balance: Pet Nutrition + Fitness

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© L. Boese
First We Stay

© L. Boese
The Long Jump!

Tanner, our Fetch-crazed Retriever, is pulling out all the stops these days. We're noticing a sudden burst of energy that has us wondering, "What's different?" I look around and can only think of two things. Tanner's diet and the change of seasons, albeit a minimal change here in Central Florida where we enjoy a nearly year round version of hot and humid.

With my plans to take Tanner along to Blogpaws, I suppose I'll need to get a lot of Fetch in before departure. I'm guessing he won't be welcome in the hotel pool, no matter how dog-friendly the hotel is :)

That said, we've been adding in extra walks, playing more Fetch, swimming, biking and enjoying a good deal of family and company lately. Tanner's in heaven. After all, aren't they all coming to visit him?

Before my partnership with Natural Balance kicked in, I was asked by one of the organizers to share some of Tanner's skills in my posts. So here's our first installment on that request. There will be more.

© L. Boese
Back to Mom for Round 2

Swimming is an excellent exercise for you, me and our dogs. Without the weight of our bodies to support, our joints are under less stress, even as our muscles work to propel us. This is why it's an ideal exercise for dogs who are prone to hip dysplasia and arthritis.

Tanner, while being a rescue, still has that pure Golden possibility. My goal has been to do all I can to prevent it, especially now as he approaches the age of 7. Here are the strategies I employ:

• Exercise to keep the joints loose and muscles limber
• Swim to keep the cardiovascular system strong 
• Take supplemental glucosamine-chondroitin to support healthy joints
• Feed an organic, AAFCO-approved diet--Natural Balance Organic Formula--to avoid unnecessary toxins in the liver
• Maintain a slender weight to avoid stress on the hips and shoulders. Tanner is a long, tall dog, weighing in at a steady 70 lbs.
• Practice daily training and mentally-stimulating activities that keep his mind sharp and body busy and strong



© L. Boese
Thank You Tanner











• Play Fetch to give Tanner additional mental tasks. We have a variety of different Fetch games we play.

Enjoy the photos and please do give Natural Balance a try. You can receive free coupons by simply clicking the banner ad at the top of this column. Go for it!

All Things Dog Blog is an NB Insider, sharing Natural Balance information with you. We receive pet food and sponsored travel to pet industry events as a part of this program.

High Energy Dogs: Managing their Intensity

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Fetch-n-Drop Game Makes Tanner Think

Hi there, I have a Golden Retriever who seems to have boundless energy. He wears me out every time I take him to the park. What can I do to make him more 'manageable' and and tame all of that energy? Is that even possible? 

Alana on Dog Park Bonding Activities

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Dear Alana,

You're not alone; many owners of young, active breeds have experienced what you are going through, myself included. I applaud you for asking for tips and would love to share some ideas with you that have worked for Tanner, my spirited Golden Retriever in the photo above:

• First of all, you're off to a great start with socializing your energetic dog in an active environment. Allowing him to run off some of his excess energy as often as possible is an excellent way to start the process of quelling his over-active lifestyle.
• If Fido remains behind each day while you work, he may need a mid-day walk or a regular trip to doggie daycare, giving him yet another chance to exercise and burn off some steam. Dogs do get cabin fever, just like us!
• Working with your dog on training activities is a different way to drain energy, by using his brain. Try to squeeze in two 15-minute training sessions each day and soon your dog will be easier to manage and better trained as well.
• Teach your dog to swim and locate a safe, nearby place for him to get some wet time during the warmer months. Swimming is an outstanding form of exercise that is easy on the joints and terrific exercise as your dog ages.
• Younger dogs often enjoy biking beside their owner. My dogs and I love this activity and have found it to be a great way to speed up the exercise session on those days when I have a serious deficit of time for their much-needed walks.
• Offering mentally stimulating games to your dog will be additional brain work that is also fun. Puzzles, treat balls and other such games keep your dog's body and brain working to figure out how the game works. I recommend food based puzzles if your dog is food-motivated.
• Adding a backpack to your dog during his walks gives him a new challenge and something else to focus on, in addition to the extra weight which makes the job a bit more work. During a walk that includes a backpack with bags of rice or beans in the pockets, your dog will have to concentrate on his gait to control the swing of the cargo, while keeping up with your pace, even as he is carrying extra weight. The result is a more tired pup when you arrive home.
• If time allows, look into other group activities such as Rally, Frisbee, flyball or agility. Each has its own differing skill requirements, so ask lots of questions and be sure to visit and observe before making a decision. Whatever choice you make, your dog is likely to enjoy the time with you as well as the learning experiences that will help him sleep very well at night. The same goes for you!

© Kim Litz
Skye Flies Through the Tire

I hope these ideas will help you get your dog's high energy under control. If your Fido is a lover of water activities, and you have water available, try teaching him to play Fetch games and you'll find there are many ways to advance the game beyond simple toss and return on posts here at All Things Dog Blog.

Finally, keep in mind that all of the above activities are designed to aid in bonding between you and your dog. As you grow closer, your pup will begin to return to you for affection and a "check in", while visiting the dog park. This will offer you another opportunity to praise him for his increasingly calmer behavior. Be sure to use treats and praise frequently during these training sessions, but do leave those treats at home when you visit the dog park. That's not a great place to find out which dogs are food-aggressive; better safe than sorry.

Happy tails,

Join us each week for the Weekly Wag bonding series, held during the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop. The hop is hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or check any of their sites for their rules of participation. Happy hopping!