We're mixing it up this May with one program for everyone, each day!
I'll be sending daily notifications to let you know what's on the agenda that day.
Each day will be different to help add variety and avoid boredom!
I'll record what we do here.
If your dog can't do the exericses scheduled for that day feel to go to a previous program your dog can do.
Please keep in mind that if an exercise is too easy it won't help muscles grow and won't help strength improve!
May 1
12 mins went super quick as we used both a step and a cushion. We did:
- static balance
- shaking
- shake with hold
- rear leg lift
- rear leg lift hold
- step over step
- figure 8 on step
https://youtu.be/ZeIAj4qZAQA?si=Ope11zc6OfkRaDfO
May 2
Today I used a mattress for our exercises and we did:
- cavaletti legs
- sit to stands
- figure 8
- back up on the mattress
May 3
Today I set up a circuit and put a 5 minute timer on. We had a large gymnastic wedge and then two steps to help her get down off the wedge, as well as a wobble board. After a few rounds we reversed the direction so she was descending the wedge.
Before I had the wedge we would just go up and down a hill near our home.
May 4
Doing some couch exercises:
- up and down
- static
- shaking
- shaking with hold
- bow
- rear leg lift
(we only did 10 on the left, she tried to jump up on the couch and this showed me she was tired and struggling so we called it a night!).
https://youtu.be/vlRpz8PDSBM
May 5
Today we used a round balance cushion which is more challenging than our usual blue balance pad. Plus we did some practice on the balance pods. These were just $20 from K-mart.
Round cushion:
- 2 up
- 2 up and shake
- 2 up and rear leg lift
- 2 up and sideways walking
Balance pods:
- 2 up
May 6
I love circuits! Today we did steps and balance cushions. 6 mins went super quick!
May 7
Rest day
May 8
Cavaletti poles (which were just brooms, flat mop and curtain rails!) on the ground, then raised and then I added balance cushion in between. We did 1 minute each stage.
Then we did 2 mins of under legs.
May 9
No video today, I'm not feeling 100% so we're giving today a miss. If you can do these exercises focused on stretching and joint mobility.
- cookie stretches 3 x 5 each side - to shoulder, mid spine or hip depending on their ability
- hip stretch 3 x 20 seconds
- neck stretch extension 3 x 20 seconds
- neck stretch flexion 3 x 20 seconds
- shoulder stretch 3 x 20 seconds
May 10
Freja did step exericses today.
We did step up and step down, we added shaking.
We also did Figure 8 on the step.
May 11
Today we did another circuit. I really love circuits, they provide variety, they're easy and make time fly! It took years to accumulate my pieces of equipment so take your time accumulating yours!
Create your own circuit or just do a program from another day! Have fun!
May 12
No video today. The plan today:
- 2 x 1 minute walking backwards
- 2 x 1 minute walking backwards onto a cushion
- 2 x 1 minute cavaletti legs
May 13
Mattress exercises:
- 3 mins cavaletti legs
- 2 x 10 sit to stands
- 1 minute walking backwards
May 14
Rest day
May 15
Couch exercises:
- up and down
- shaking
- bow
- rear leg lift
- cavaletti legs
May 16
No video today.
Step:
- two up 2 x 10
- two up and shake 2 x 10
- two up and rear leg lift 2 x 10
- two down 2 x 10
May 17
Freja had a huge day so we did some easy exercises. I limited it to 5 mins and I even gave her a little rest too.
We did the incline wedge (you can do outside hill or sit to stands) and cushion walking (you can use lounge cushions or thick/firm pillows)
May 18
I created almost identical circuit to yesterday and we did about 6 minutes of it.
The only difference was that I changed the steps as she descends from the wedge, I used two seperate steps of different height but were wider so it is easier to descend and not fall off the side.
May 19
I used two fit paws but you can use two seperate cushions, couch cushions (the ones you sit on - if they're removeable) or folded blankets.
We did:
- static balance
- neck range of motion
- shaking, some with hold
- Figure 8
May 20
Tonight we only got to do cavaletti legs for 1 minute and 3 x high two paws up.
She didn't seem to want to do anything even though she loves her treats and you've seen how excited she gets!
We went for a slightly longer walk this evening so she may have been tired after that.
And I want to stress it is absolutely ok to just give a session a miss when needed, it won't impact your results if a few are missed here and there, it's just crucial we listen to what our dogs are telling us and not forcing them.
My plan for tonight was:
- cavaletti legs 3 x 1 minute
- high two up x 10
- high two up with shake x 10
- high two up with rear leg lift x 10
- sit to stand x 10
May 21
Rest day
May 22
Two up with rear on cushion - shaking 2 x 10, rear leg lift 2 x 10
Two down on cushion off step - shaking 2 x 10
Figure 8 on step x 2 mins
May 23
two up on 1 round cushion - shake x 10, rear leg lift x 10
two up on 2 round cushions - up and off x 10
balance on wobble board roughly 5 x 10 seconds
sit to stands x 10
May 24
Freja and I are having a night off, I am utterly exhausted, Despite doing our routine that has always seemed to work, we were up for a lot of last night and while Freja got to sleep during the day to catch up, sadly I did not :(
Please feel free to repeat May 1 Program:
Step and a cushion exercises:
- static balance
- shaking
- shake with hold
- rear leg lift
- rear leg lift hold
- step over step
- figure 8 on step
https://youtu.be/ZeIAj4qZAQA?si=Ope11zc6OfkRaDfO
May 25
Tonight was super quick, Freja seemed tired so we did couch exercises.
- two up on the couch
- two up with shake
- two up with bow
- cavaletti legs
May 26
Coming soon
May 27
Coming soon
May 28
Rest day
May 29
Coming soon
May 30
Coming soon
May 31
Coming soon