You love your dog and want to give your beloved pet the best life possible. Your dog loves to walk, play, run, and eat. So you indulge your dog however and whenever you can. Taking long adventurous walks in nature and having an extra helping of dog food or favorite treat – all seems to make your dog smile. However, often many of us are susceptible to giving our dog too much of the good things. In other words, feeding our dogs too much. Just as being overweight contributes to health problems in humans, the same is true for our dogs. When your dog is overweight, a number of health problems can occur including joint health issues, mobility concerns, breathing issues, and a lack of energy. We want you and your dog to enjoy a long life together and this means you need to be proactive about your dog’s health. There are lots of factors about your dog’s health that you can’t control, but weight is one that is definitely within your control. Give your dog the best life possible – keep the extra pounds off and watch your dog move easily and live longer. How to Know if Your Dog is Overweight Before you do anything with respect to your dog’s weight, we urge you to contact your veterinarian. Get a thorough assessment from your veterinarian and do discuss weight management with your vet. If your veterinarians suggests you monitor your dog’s weight or that your dog is overweight, you can do some simple home review to monitor you dog’s weight and shape.

• Feel your dog’s backbone and ribs. If it’s hard to feel your dog’s backbone and ribs, this can be a sign that your dog is overweight.
• Look at your dog from the side. Look for a sagging stomach – this is an indicator that your dog is carrying extra weight.
• Look at your dog from above. When you look at your dog from above, you should see that your dog has inward curves between the back of the rib cage and hips. If you don’t see what looks like a natural waist, this can indicate your dog is overweight.
• Weigh your dog. Your veterinarian can give you guidelines on a healthy weight range for your dog. Your veterinarian will consider your dog’s age, breed, and overall health condition when giving you this healthy weight range.

Along with physical indicators, there are some dog lifestyle habits that can indicate that your dog is overweight. Pay attention to how easily your dog moves, his overall energy levels, his breathing, desire to play or walk, and overall health. Just like humans, when your dog is overweight, his entire lifestyle can be compromised. How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight It’s very important that you do not undertake a weight loss plan for your dog without first consulting your veterinarian. Remember, dogs are not humans – so you must approach your dog’s weight loss with a different mindset. We’ve put together some general recommendations on how you can help your dog lose and maintain his weight – however, do not follow these blindly without first consulting your veterinarian. Some breeds have a propensity to gain weight or to have a bigger heftier shape. Discuss this with your veterinarian. As well, talk to your veterinarian about tips for maintaining or losing weight for your senior dog – remember, your senior dog likely won’t be able to increase his exercise or might have other health concerns to consider.

• Exercise. The benefits of daily exercise for your dog are overwhelming. Integrate regular walks, play time, and games into your dog’s daily life. Your dog’s energy levels will increase. His joint health will improve by strengthening his muscles, joints, and ligaments. Your dog’s mood will improve thanks to the stimuli that comes from being outdoors and playing games. And to top it off, regular exercise can help your dog lose weight. Remember, don’t rush into an aggressive exercise routine. If your dog is overweight, you have to take things slowly and ease him into his new exercise patterns. Be careful that you’re not putting too much stress on his joints, breathing, or overall health with too much exercise. Talk to your veterinarian about the best way to get started with a healthy and sustainable dog exercise program.
• Food. Just like humans, dogs like to eat. Discuss portion control with your veterinarian and follow the recommended guidelines that will help your dog lose weight at a healthy rate. Crash diets don’t work for humans and they definitely don’t work for dogs. Remember, your dog needs to eat to have the energy to go out for walks, to play tag, and to function on a daily basis. Never ever withhold food or skip meals. Discuss the best ways to manage your dog’s food intake with your veterinarian. Don’t forget, that like humans, dogs eat when bored – so make sure you’re giving your dog the toys and attention he needs to be engaged and interested.
• Treats. There is nothing quite like a treat. Pay attention to the number of treats you give your dog. Consider switching to an all-natural dog chew that serves double-duty as a reward and a natural joint supplement. Think about cutting treats in half – this way your dog is still getting a reward but just a little bit less. Try substituting different types of rewards – such as an extra cuddle, a new toy, or a nice relaxing brush.

Your dog is your best friend. Your dog relies on you to care for his health and well-being, therefore it’s up to you to make sure your dog is living his best life possible. If you’re concerned about your dog’s weight or have noticed behavioral changes that indicate a health problem – talk to your veterinarian before making any changes. A healthy dog is a happy dog – give your dog the best health possible.

Ah, there is nothing quite like spring. You’ve got your windows open, the green grass is back, and the kids are outside playing. It’s the ideal time to get outside with your dog and enjoy the warm weather, longer days, and funky spring smells. However, we do want to remind you that with this new season comes some hidden dangers and threats to your very curious dog. Whether your dog is a senior dog or an energetic young puppy, it’s highly likely that they’ll dig up some trouble this spring. We want you to get your dog outside and even when possible let him run off-leash for some extra joint-building exercise – but remember that with the melting snow comes the potential for injury and hazards. To help you and your beloved dog get the most out of the springtime weather and this almost-summer feeling, we’ve put together a list of potential threats and caution zones for you and your dog. Now, we don’t want you stressing needlessly and keeping your dog from following his nose, but remember the snow covered up a lot of garbage, junk, and other potential hazards. Watch Your Windows and Patio Doors We’ve all done it, we’ve opened our unscreened windows and patio doors and forgotten about our curious dog. Please make sure that all of your windows and patio doors have secure and sturdy screens in place. Repair any rips and tears and make sure your energetic puppy cannot blast through the screen with a speedy run. Practice Safe Driving In the winter, we relax our driving a bit and let our dogs enjoy the freedom of the backseat without being buckled in. Now that you’re driving with your windows down or sunroof open, make sure your dog is securely buckled into the car. Either keep your dog in a special crate designed for automobiles or use a seatbelt harness – this keep your dog safe and give you confidence that an accident won’t happen. Please do not put your dog in the bed of your pickup – this is extremely dangerous and can be quite terrifying for your dog. If in doubt, leave your dog at home where he is safe and secure. Dog Safe Gardening There’s nothing better than spring gardening season. You get to dig in the dirt and plan for a summer of growing and blooming. When thinking about the plants and flowers for your garden, remember that your dog might have a penchant for some garden snacking. Before purchasing flowers, plants, and bushes – talk to your greenhouse staff about safety concerns for your dog. For example, rhododendron and azaleas are highly toxic to dogs and can be fatal if eaten. Slow and Steady Wins the Race You’re eager to get out for some long dog walks and runs. Your dog is tugging at the leash, asking to keep walking and to run a little bit faster. But remember, you’ve just spent the winter taking shorter and slower walks – so make sure you increase the pace and distance of your dog walks gradually. You don’t want to get injured and you don’t want your dog to get injured. Seasonal Allergies Just like us humans, our dogs can experience seasonal allergies. Be aware of any extra scratching, licking, chewing, or coughing. These can all be signs that your dog is dealing with seasonal allergies. Take your dog in for a visit with your veterinarian – do not self-diagnose and give your dog over-the-counter allergy medication. Hydrate and Stay Cool Yes, even in the spring the temperatures can creep up to a level where you need to be extra attentive to your dog’s hydration and body temperature. If you’re going out for a long hike or romp in the park, bring a collapsible dog bowl with you and encourage your dog to drink up. Pay attention to your dog’s energy levels and if he’s flagging, take a break from playing and walking. This is a great time to have a natural dog chew and slow down a bit. Ticks, Fleas and Other Bugs Spring is peak tick and bug season. Take your dog into the veterinarian for an update on his shots and any heartworm, tick, and flea prevention protocols. After each walk give your dog a thorough check-over for ticks and other bugs. If you do find a tick, carefully remove it and safely take into your veterinarian so it can be assessed for Lyme Disease. Puddles, Garbage, and Other Springtime Hazards Your dog loves to explore and follow his nose. We want you to encourage these natural tendencies but please keep a close eye on what your dog is digging up, rolling in, drinking from, and eating. Do not let your dog drink from puddles and other stagnant water. Do not let your dog eat anything he drags from the woods or finda along the sidewalk. The bacteria risk and potential for accidental poisoning is a huge risk with anything that your dog wants to eat or drink during your outdoor adventures. Dog Park Safety Your dog loves the dog park. You love the dog park. However, with the start of a new dog park season, remember to keep an eye on the other dogs at the dog park. Be on the look-out for any dogs that are bullying or playing too rough. As well, make sure your dog is playing safely. Keep an eye on the dog park gate – it takes just a split second for the gate to be open and for your dog or any other dog to make a speedy escape. Your Spring Dog Safety Tips We want to hear from you. Tell us how you maximize spring while ensuring that your dog remains safe and sound. Your dog’s health and mobility is vitally important, so by being extra careful you can make sure your dog has a fun and active spring and summer. Visit the Leaps & Bounds Facebook community page and tell us how you get the most out of spring. Photo byAvi RichardsonUnsplash

You know how important regular walks and exercise are for your dog’s joint health, muscle strength, weight control, and mental health. However, some days it is more challenging than others to find the time to get out the door and take your beloved dog for a walk. Don’t hang your head in embarrassment – you’re not alone. So many of us are busy and with multiple responsibilities, some days, something has to give. Enter a trustworthy and reliable dog walker. It’s amazing how much stress can be alleviated for both you and your dog with the help of a dog walker. Not only will your dog get his much needed exercise, but you’ll feel good knowing that your dog’s needs are being taken care of. In this post, we suggest ways to find a dog walker, highlight key questions you should ask potential dog walkers, and what to expect from a dog walker. Do you use a dog walker? Share your dog walker experiences with our Leaps & Bounds Facebook community. How to Find a Dog Walker While the Internet is the logical choice for most searches, we recommend that when it comes to finding a dog walker, you rely more on the people you know.

• Talk to your dog-owning friends and extended family members. There’s a good chance someone in your social circle uses a dog walker or knows someone who does. Remember to ask any of these friends key questions about their dog walker, including, how they found their dog walker, how often the dog walker comes, the length of the walks, and how their dog is responding to the new routine.
• Talk to your veterinarian and the technicians in your veterinarian’s office. It’s highly likely your veterinarian has a resource of trusted animal (dog) professionals that they turn to when clients such as yourself ask for help in finding additional pet care.
• If you use a dog trainer or have in the past, contact your trainer and ask about dog walker recommendations.

Of course, there is also the Internet, but we suggest you be extra vigilant when interviewing dog walkers you find online. Because these people are not coming from a word-of-mouth recommendation, make sure you don’t rush in without asking key questions. Questions You Should Ask Potential Dog Walkers Don’t skip this key step, remember you’re trusting this person with caring for your dog. You need to be confident that your dog walker is the right person for you and your dog.

1. Ask questions about the dog walker’s business. Ask for recommendations for other clients. Ask about insurance and licensing. Ask about medical training. Ask about the other dogs they walk and how this person will manage having another dog to care for. Find out what the dog walker does in the event he or she is sick or goes away on vacation.
2. Ask as many question as you can think of about the dog walking routine. Find out how many dogs are walked at once. Enquire about having solo walks for your dog. Ask about the length of the walks and route. Find out if the dog walker will take your dog into the woods. Get firm details on the dog walker’s leash policy. If your dog really enjoys playing in the park, ask about this option. You need to know the dog walker’s policy when encountering aggressive dogs or owners. Ask about coming out on a walk with the dog walker and your dog – this gives you the best opportunity to see how your dog responds to a new person holding his leash.
3. Ask about health and safety policies and practices. Is the dog walker familiar with the needs of senior dogs or dogs new to leash walking. Ask specific questions about your dog’s health and find out how the dog walker plans to care for these issues. Ask the dog walker if he or she is familiar with dog joint health issues such as hip problems, stiff joints, or muscle soreness. Find out what the dog walker will do if your dog is injured during a walk.

This is just a sampling of questions but what we want to highlight here is that there is no such thing as silly or bad question to ask. This is your dog and you need to be 100 per cent confident in your dog walker and his or her ability to care for your dog. If in doubt at all or if your dog is not responding well during trial walks, remember you have many options when it comes to choosing a dog walker – don’t feel limited or forced into choosing the first dog walker you meet. What You Can Expect From Your Dog Walker You obviously want to make sure you and your dog are getting what you paid for. So pay attention to how your dog is behaving at home with you before and after his walks with his new dog walker. Be aware of any behavioral changes, limping, discomfort, or other issues – these could all be indicators that there was a problem during a dog walk that you weren’t told about. If your dog walker works for a company that employs multiple dog walkers, confirm that the person you interviewed is the person who will be walking your dog. Remember that just as you expect your dog walker to be honest with you, you must do the same. Don’t hide any health or joint issues your dog has for fear that the dog walker won’t take on your dog – this only hurts your dog. Ask about the dog walking schedule, how your dog will be transported if the walking route isn’t nearby, find out about the cancellation policy, and ask any other questions that ensure you, your dog, and your dog walker are all comfortable and happy with the arrangement.