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 Therapeutic Swimming?
My Border Collie boy "Skye" has such bad hips that our vet, Dr Volz, told me "If I saw the x-rays alone I would not think this dog could walk." That was scary. To compensate for his weak back end, Skye's chest has become huge in relationship to his hip area. He has probably been walking this way all his life to some extent because his is a congenital abnormality. I found him at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region so I don't know his background, but I can pretty much guess. Puppymill, backyard breeder, uneducated breeders trying to get some quick money; he could have come from any of these backgrounds. His bad hips are obviously a genetic defect, originating from two dogs that never should have been bred.
Skye has an excellent quality of life and he takes supplements and anti-inflammatories to keep him comfortable. He lives for his tennis balls. I hope when he begins to get too uncomfortable on land to chase his beloved tennis balls he might be able to chase them in the pool. This is why I would like to get him used to swimming, and with any luck he will like the water.
When it's his time to go I will lay him in a room filled with tennis balls so everywhere he looks he will see them. I believe he will think he is already in heaven. In the meantime, I am going to get him in the pool to start using his legs with no weight bearing involved.
I hope that our pool may help dogs who are uncomfortable on land feel a little more free as they float along, using their legs to doggy paddle, gain strength and burn calories.
This newsletter is dedicated to wonderful freedom of canine swimming!
Debi Ropes-Stevenson
General Manager, Lucky Dog Resorts
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| Contact Us | |
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4401 Mark Dabling Blvd
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907
719-599-9663
or
2801 Janitell Rd
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906
719-527-9663
or go to
www.bealuckydog.com
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Lucky Dog Central Gets a POOL!
 I admit to being a water junkie. Swimming is one of my favorite activities, and although I don't spend hours in the water like I did as a kid, I still enjoy my time in the pool. Looking for an unfilled niche in the abundant dog daycare services provided in Colorado Springs, my mind immediately went to swimming. It wasn't until I found a pool made exclusively for dogs that I (see quicklinks above and listen to "Rex" on our website of our pool's manufacturer) that I decided to introduce swimming to our list of canine services.
As I researched dogs and their possible swimming activities, I discovered "Dock Diving" a canine sport with a growing group of fans across the US. So with a regulation size deck, and a pool just a little short of the distance a US dock diving champion dog can jump, we are on our way. We will offer group swims, puppy swim training (yes, pups need to learn even if some breeds do learn faster than others), and private swim times with one of our trainers. We hope your dog loves his time in the water and we are looking forward to our new adventure - "The Lucky Dog Swim Club!"
Debi
"I didn't know that!"
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Fat Dogs? Our Fault!
 In a world of human excess we are responsible for creating a new victim of obesity; our best friends. We have only to look at some of our canine friends whose weight has ballooned to the point of immobility and wag a finger at ourselves; the dog is an innocent victim.We are literally killing our dogs with kindness. Overfeeding of meals, excess treats, and table scraps has produced an ever growing number of fat dogs waddling around the streets - that is, those who can still waddle.
It's ease to tell if your dog is fat. Look from the side and look down on him:
To the side - normal dog.
 | From above - normal dog.
 | To the side - overweight dog.
 | From above - overweight dog.
 | Obesity is hard on our dogs. It puts extra strain on bones and joints, and as our dogs age the problem gets worse. Those with orthopedic problems suffer far greater discomfort if, along with the problem, they are dragging around extra poundage.
Cutting down on quantity at meal time and/or using a weight reduction food is great, but as with human obesity, exercise is an important part of the puzzle. Like humans however, overweight dogs are sometimes uncomfortable running, playing, or even walking.
Swimming is the ultimate exercise for overweight dogs (and their human counterparts!) It is a non-weight bearing activity that does not put excess strain on joints, and it's fun too! Playing fetch in the water with special floaty toys can give your overweight dog a work out that on land would be far too difficult for him.
Ask us about private or semi-private beginner swims, especially beneficial to overweight dogs.
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Dock Diving!
Our Lucky Dog Central trainer Angie Neal knows about dock diving; she worked with it in Sacramento California! Now, for the first time in Colorado Springs your Lucky Dog will be able to experience this sport along with dogs from all over the country. Lucky Dog Central's pool will be a great training center for canine dock diving, and Angie will be teaching a course on the basic fundamentals of the sport.
Dock Diving will be an 8 week course held on Wednesday nights ( first start date to be announced), and there will be limited space available. The course will begin by introducing your dog to the water so he feels comfortable; swimming and leveling his body out, paddling under the water as opposed to on top of it. Next, the dogs will learn to jump off the dock, and then jump for distance. Restrained recalls off the dock to help gain distance will be practiced, along with recall races (2 dogs at once, mini-competitions.) Life jackets will be provided for those dogs needing to experience the fun of the water with the safety of a flotation device.
There will be a competition for distance dives at graduation. Ribbons and prizes will be awarded to all!
All trainers, apprentices, and staff working with the swim dogs will be Certified in pet CPR from the American Red Cross, with an emphasis on water safety.
For more information or to get your name on our Dock Diving Class list contact us at 599 - WOOF (9663).
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Born to Swim!
 Most of our favorite dog breeds and breed mixes love to swim! In fact there are many more dogs that love the water than those that don't. Some dogs however, are just water nuts. Here are a list of the best swimmers in the canine world, and some may surprise you!
Schipperkes - This is a Belgian breed used on barges to keep away rodents. With all the swimming to be had they earned their "water wings!"
Labs - Of course! you might say, but along with being an excellent swimmer their coats are thick, insulated, and water repellant!
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever - You don't see these every day, but along with loving kids and family they are crazy about the water! Plenty of breeds out there are mixed with many of our Retriever types and inherit their love of swimming!
Irish Water Spaniels - Again, a lot of our mixed breeds have Spaniel in their heritage. This breed is great with kids and family and have webbed feet to aid in their swimming habits.
Newfoundlands - The largest dog on the water loving list, these gentle giants are known for their talent in water rescue. They were originally bred to pull fish nets through the water.
English Setter - A high energy dog that responds best to positive training. The English Setter has such high energy levels that swimming is a perfect outlet!
Standard Poodle - Far from "foo-foo" these are great working dogs. They are fantastic retrievers and gun dogs, their coat cuts (sometimes perceived as "prissy") were designed to keep joints warm in cold water.
Golden Retriever - An American favorite family dog, this dog is hard to keep out of the water and will fetch water toys all day long!
Portuguese Water Dog (our current "First Dog" as companion to the Obama family.)
This dog was bred to drive fish into nets, retrieve lost tackle, and carry messages from ship to ship. No wonder he's a water lover! Webbed feet again!
Chesapeake Bay Retriever - Another web toed dog who was born to swim in the cold waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Their ancestors are tracked back to 2 Newfoundlands whose offspring were bred with other breeds to create the Chessie.
If your favorite breed is not on the list, keep in mind that a mixed breed may have these breeds in it's lineage, and few breeds don't have great time splashing around the pool!
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Don't You Forget About Me!
A special dog waiting for a special new home, that's our Stella! Stella is a 2 year old German Shepherd who was brought to us because her owner could no longer care for her. Under the tender care of Angie Neal and her training apprentices, Stella has turned into a wonderful dog ready to meet her new best friend. If you are interested in Stella, please contact Lucky Dog at 599-9663 and tell us you'd like to talk to Angie about making Stella part of your family!
Have a great Independence Day!
Debi Ropes-Stevenson, General Manager
Lucky Dog Resorts
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SAVE 10% ON ANY GREENIES MULTI COUNT BAG OR GREENIES "PILL POCKETS!" | |
Offer Expires: JUNE 30, 2010
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