Week 1

Take note of your dog’s current daily activity level (time and distance). This will be entered as your ‘baseline activity level’ at the end of Week 1.

Chat to your vet about supplements and medication to aid joint mobility and ease any discomfort your dog may be experiencing.

Week 2

Read our ‘baseline activity guide’ (in your resource library) and consider ways to increase your dog’s everyday activity level.
Consider implementing support and mobility aids e.g. dog ramp for car, sling to assist getting up from rest, or non-slip matting for tiled and wooden floors.

Week 3

Apply tips from your baseline activity guide:
Increase the number of toilet breaks your dog takes throughout the day. Break long periods of slumber with short trips outside to boost circulation and mobility.
Dedicate a minimum of 5 minutes per day towards play. Game of the week: Hide & Seek.

Week 4

Build up the number of baseline activities your dog completes each day.
Incorporate activity into your dog’s feeding routine by scattering food or placing it in multiple bowls so your dog can hunt for it. 
Play: minimum 5 mins per day. Game of the week: Round Robin

Week 5

Implement tips from your baseline activity guide:
Research local dog parks and beaches and take your dog on regular outings.
Encourage your dog to explore their surrounds at their own pace.
Play: 5-minutes per day. Game of the week: Healthy treat hunt.

Week 6

Implement tips from your baseline activity guide:  Get your dog active whilst ticking off home errands.
Have your dog accompany you when hanging out the washing, when checking the mailbox, putting out bins, weeding the garden, mowing the lawn, washing the car. Every little helps!
Play: a minimum of 5-minutes per day. Game of the week: In the basket!

Week 7

Implement tips from your baseline activity guide: Consider joining a local dog training or obedience class. Training classes provide low-stress activity levels and keep your dog mentally engaged, as well as providing training exercises to practice at home.
Tip- provide your own low-calorie training treats at classes.
Play: minimum 5 mins per day. Game of the week: Doggy soccer

Week 8

Implement tips from your baseline activity guide:  Get social! Consider setting up doggy play dates to encourage increased activity. Alternatively consider booking your dog into doggy day care a couple of days per week, for some extra socialisation and stimulus to play.

Tip: Download ‘carer letter’ (in your resources) to outline ‘doggy daycare’ food allowance.

Play: minimum of 5-minutes per day. Game of the week: Simon Says

Week 9

Implement tips from your baseline activity guide:  Unable to commit time to regular walkies? Buddy up with a friend and share walking duties by walking each other’s dogs.
Consider hiring a local dog walker.
Play: minimum of 5-minutes per day. Game of the week: Dig it!

Week 10

Implement tips from your baseline activity guide:  Search out local dog-friendly swim spots. Or chat to your vet about a hydrotherapy referral. A weekly hydrotherapy/swim session is great exercise for dogs with physical disability.
Play: minimum of 5-minutes per day. Game of the week: Bubbles.

Week 11

Implement tips from your baseline activity guide:  Put some of your dog’s meal portion in a slow feeder or Kong ball. This lengthens mealtimes-helping your dog feel more satisfied whilst keeping your dog on their feet for longer.

Play: minimum of 5-minutes per day. Game of the Week: Obstacle Course

Week 12

Implement tips from your baseline activity guide:  Call on the help of friends and family to be part of your dog’s weight loss journey.
Do you need help with doggie transport, loading your dog in the car or need company during outings? Don’t be shy to ask.

Play: minimum of 5-minutes per day. Mix and match the games you have learnt so far.

      Week 13       onwards

Aim to match your week 12 activity level (time and distance) as you move forward with your dog’s diet plan. Consider this your dog’s new weekly activity baseline😊
To revise your activity plan, view your Resources folder. Revise games by viewing completed lessons, in the ‘completed’ folder.