((PKG)) DOGS’ GYM
((Banner: A Place to Play))
((Reporter/Camera: Deborah Block))
((Adapted by: Philip Alexiou))
((Map: Alexandria, Virginia))
((NATS))
((Erica Grooms, Stella's Pet Parent))
She's so active and so I see how happy she is when we're at the gym, and she's playing, and she's able to jump through the hoop or go up up on the balance beam and she's very proud of herself, which of course, then makes me happy.
((NATS))
((Kim Gilliam, Co-Owner, Frolick Dogs))
About four and a half years ago, we opened in June of 2014. We definitely got some eye rolls and some scratching heads when we told folks we were opening a dog gym, but once you come in and you really see how people are working with their dogs, bonding with their dogs, and also getting them that exercise that they so badly need, it really does make sense.
((NATS))
((Steven Siwecki, Pet Parent))
I got tired of getting cold or hot outside. I would freeze in the cold. He likes it, but for me it’s cold. In the heat, he could only do so much exercise outside, and inside here, we have all the agility equipment we want to practice on and its air conditioned.
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((Nadja Moore, Ziggy's Pet Parent))
He tried, he did. I think everybody's getting in the gym and yeah, just trying to, you know, lose some extra pounds.
((NATS))
((Kim Gilliam, Co-Owner, Frolick Dogs))
And so, you know, we as owners, maybe, we want to give them the best food. We want to give them treats when they do something good and before you know it, we might have a weight problem on our hands and its more than just running around. It’s really that mental stimulation piece. So, the more you’re making them think as they’re working, the more you’re going to tire them out more quickly.
((NATS))
((Natalie Petrone, Marshall’s pet parent))
It’s a lot of fun. I love seeing him jump around and play with the other dogs here and see what all the other dogs can do, and so then, we can learn from that and try to teach him that too.
((NATS))
((Kim Gilliam, Co-Owner, Frolick Dogs))
The whole basis of everything we do here is that it be that mental stimulation, that physical stimulation, and that owners are really working with their dogs. I've had some folks tell me they're just as tired as their dog when they leave.
((NATS))
Let’s go. Up, up. Good Boy. Yeah, good boy!
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