Both Thunder and Storm are senior dogs. We try to keep them ready to hunt by keeping them fit and in condition all year long. Some hunters grab their dog who has spent the last 9 months on the couch and head out to hunt. That is not the best idea because a dog that has not been conditioned is more susceptible to injury. Injuries can happen, but we try to minimize the chance of them happening by keeping our dogs in shape.
A few years back we started training them over the winter months rather than taking a break. We found that the continued training contributed to their overall fitness. We are limited by weather and lack of daylight during the winter, but even getting out for one decent training day a week made a difference for our dogs.
Last year we also added a supplement (Fido-Vite Flexx), that contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health along with probiotics, vitamins and minerals. This supplement was recommended by a professional field trial trainer who said he found that his dogs recovered more quickly from heavy training while on this supplement. I was not big on supplements at the time, but we decided to try it because Thunder was sometimes stiff after a day of heavy hunting or training. If we could find something to lessen his stiffness, that would be great and was worth a try.
We received a 2 lb. sample to try and started Thunder on it. Before long we noticed a big difference. Just as the pro claimed, he recovered more quickly after heavy exercise and was not all stiff and creaky. Even last weekend after working through all the logs and debris on the edge of the river to retrieve his ducks, Thunder did not seem stiff. Eventually we put Storm on the supplement and she has had the same result as Thunder.
This is not a review or sponsored post for Fido-Vite Flexx. I am often asked what supplement we use so I thought I would share. Unfortunately, Fido-Vite has a crummy website so hopefully if you are interested in this supplement, you can navigate that site to find the information you need. You should always check with your vet before adding things to your dog’s diet.
Finally
If you follow the blog, you now that I have been trying to get a decent picture of the Pileated Woodpeckers that visit our feeders at the cabin. It finally happened and I was able to get a couple. Pileated Woodpeckers can get quite large (19 inches long), but this one was on the smaller side. It was still cool to get a nice clear picture of one.
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Glad to hear they are doing well on the fido vite. Great pictures of the woodpecker!
that’s amazing, I’m glad you got such fabulous results! I never saw a woodpecker so close, we mostly only hear them when they work in the trees. I like your way much more than to jump from the couch and full speed ahead…. that’s probably not good… we wouldn’t do that not even with our cars :o)
Hi Y’all!
Oh I think I’ll ask my Humans to get me some FidoVite. I am stiff when I get up in the morning or on damp rainy days.
What a wonderful photo of the pileated!
Y’all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
I’m not a big fan of supplements, either, but senior dogs who are as active as yours may need that little something extra. I’m so glad you found one that works for your dogs so they can stay active in their senior years!
Such a sweet looking woodpecker! We are all on supplements. Mom wasn’t a fan until a year or so ago, and now she swears by them. They have helped Katie out so much. Glad you found one that works for your dogs. Some work better on certain breeds than others we have learned.
Hmmm…do that make that for humans?? Sounds like something I need! Great photos – love those woodpeckers!
Very cool woodpeciker photos! I imagine it’s also really good for their mental health to add at least one training day a week in the winter, too.
Senior dogs rock! And I love seeing that they still hunt too 🙂
Brilliant post and photos! I can see they still love hunting! 🙂
Oh that’s great news!!! Love the woodpecker pics BTW!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Never heard of this supplement before! I’m not big on supplements either although I suspect eventually I will have to start using it as Donna gets older.
Thanks for sharing that supplement. I’m experimenting with a couple for my dogs. It makes sense to continue to train your dogs throughout the year, I think that probably helps to keep them in the right frame of mind.
Nice photo of the woodpecker, I saw it on Facebook and know you’d been trying to get that shot for a while.
Great advice about training all year round — A good reminder for dogs of any age! I’m also always curious about the supplements people use, and add my thanks for passing yours on!
I also love the photo of the woodpecker! Like you, I’ve tried to get a good shot, but they can be shy and elusive, can’t they? –You beat them
Great photos of the Pileated! I saw one outside our porch window a couple of weeks ago and I was so excited. We often hear them but don’t see them much. He didn’t stick around long enough to get a photo though, but I also don’t have feeders out yet.
I’m so glad that supplement works for you and I had written it down for possible future use when you shared it with me before. Right now everyone seems to be doing pretty well with what they’re on, but you never know when that might change.
Loving you photos! Glad the dawgs still love hunting!
Glad the seniors are able to keep hunting! We give our guys glucosamine chondroitin, vitamin C, and a fish oil capsule daily, and it really helps them. I began training during hunting season and think it’s really helped meld hunting and training.