CT Post Article Pilates for Pooches
MILFORD — When it comes to exercising the family canine, the standard choices have been a brisk walk or a good game of fetch.
But Dawn Lowery has a better idea. The trainer will introduce Pilates for Pooches in November, offering the six-week class at Who’s Your Doggie? on Gulf Street.
Pilates is tough for people, especially those of us who are not particularly flexible, but Lowery said people have the easy part, while their canine companions balance on rubber balls or stretch their paws.
“The dog owners don’t have to do Pilates (a form of ballet-based exercise), or even to know how to,” the animal trainer said. “It’s good for the dog — it strengthens the hips of older dogs and it builds their confidence. It’s also another way to bond with your dog.”
Wearing a shirt reading “Don’t Worry, Be Friendly,” the owner of One Smart Dog put an intermediate obedience class through its paces one evening, and in that session, the people needed more training than the pets.
Consistency is the key to obedience training, Lowery said. Dogs need to see it; people need to show it.
“Dogs are like people. They all have their own personalities,” she said. “Every dog can be trained, but there are some breeds that are more stubborn than others.”
Lowery runs One Smart Dog out of her Ansonia home, giving private lessons, canine massage and agility training. She holds larger classes at Who’s Your Doggie?
Nadine Cohen, of Trumbull, and her German shepherd, Charlie, were in the class because Charlie has the temperament — and the sympatico eyes — to make a good therapy dog. And if he can do that, “I can bring him to work every day,” Cohen said happily.
Angel, a Portuguese water dog, brought an assignment home that owner Debra Sansone planned to help her with.
“Dawn always gives us homework,” Sansone said. “We have to work on it before the next class.”
By the end of the six weeks, Lowery said, the dogs will be able to ignore distractions and follow commands. “They should be able to sit perfectly still for two minutes,” the trainer said.
Cindy Alves, of Seymour, looked up from scratching Gigi, a border collie she rescued from a shelter.
“I don’t stay still for two minutes,” Alves said.
Lowery’s website is www.onesmartdogct.com.
Reach Frank Juliano at 203-520-6986 or fjuliano@ctpost.com.
Posted: September 30th, 2011 under One Smart Dog.
