Applications of the TrimDog Exercise Belt in Canine Rehabilitation

*All Sample Applications of the TrimDog Exercise Belt should be used under the direction of a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner and your veterinarian*

"Gizmo has been using the TrimDog belt to strengthen his rear legs.  He had back surgery and his walking ability has improved greatly since his last visit."

Dr. Sybil Davis, DVM, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

Osteoarthritis Home Care Program

Heat Belt in microwave for recommended time (see insert) and place on arthritic joints for 15 minutes to warm up the joints prior to short leash walks or to provide temporary pain-relief  throughout the day.

Post-op Extracapsular Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair

Belt may be worn in the latter half of Step 2 (Early weight-bearing) using short 15-30 sec walks with the belt worn towards the rear to promote increased hypertrophy in the hind legs.  Early on this exercise can be used as an alternative to inclines if excessive hip and knee extension is painful when walking up inclines.  During Step 3 (Consistent Weight-bearing) and Step 4 (Consistent Weight-bearing at a trot) Belt walking with the belt displaced towards the rear can be used interchangeably with inclines to develop the hind leg muscles and short-timed walks 1-3 minutes can be used at home for additional strengthening during non-clinic days.   The belt can also be heated and worn at home to prepare the muscles for exercise prior to prescribed short-leash walks on non-clinic days.

Post-op for TPLO

Belt can be heated and worn on desired area to warm-up tissues prior to short leash walk during Step 2 (Discharge from hospital to 3 weeks after surgery) and Step 3.  During Step 4 (6-8 weeks after surgery)  Belt walks with belt towards rear for 15 sec intervals can be rotated with walking up inclines or stairs to strengthen rear limb muscles.  During Step 5 (9-12 weeks out) .  Timed walks with belt towards rear can be increased working up to 3-5 minutes multiple times per week at home and belt may be added to Sit-to-Stand Exercises for 5 repetition sets ( 2 sets total) when 20 repetitions of bodyweight can be done with proper form to further increase muscle mass.

Post-op FHO

Step 2:  Early Weight-bearing- After acute inflammation has subsided Belt can be heated and worn on desired area to warm-up tissues prior to short leash walk.  During Step 3: (Consistent Weight-bearing) Belt walking for 15-30 sec with the belt towards the rear can be used in place of inclines to develop the hind leg muscles.  Step 3-Step:  Timed walks with belt towards rear can be done working up to 1-5 minutes at a time for multiple times per week at home and belt may be added to Sit-to-Stand Exercises for 5 repetition sets  (2 sets total) when 20 repetitions of bodyweight can be done with proper form to further increase muscle mass.

Weight Loss

Multiple walks with the Belt can be done per week for weight loss on dogs that are deemed healthy enough for regular walking programs.  Dogs with noticeable OA symptoms should experience enough of a weight loss to allow pain-free exercise prior to using the Belt.

Other Uses:

Timed Walks with Belt placed towards the rear or added to Sit-to-stand exercises to promote muscular strength and to stimulate hind leg development are appropriate in orthopedic cases after the canine has progressed to Consistent Weight-bearing & Weight-bearing at a trot. 

Extras:

Exercising with lead-weighted jackets resulted in increased bone mass and reduces bone loss during aging.  1- Pg 151

Low Impact weight-bearing exercise with lead-weighted jackets does not cause alterations of articular cartilage that might lead to joint degeneration. 1-Pg 121

When a dog wears a weighted backpack during sit-to-stand exercises, greater muscle force is required to rise to a standing position. 1- Pg 261 

    
       ( 1  -“Canine Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy”, Millis, Levine, Taylor)

Dog Arthritis and Muscle Pain Relief using TrimDog

Heat Therapy with the TrimDog Exercise Belt

The TrimDog Exercise Belt can be used for home heat therapy for dog’s suffering from arthritis or to warm muscles prior to walking or before participating in sports such as agility trials. The weights are filled with corn which is an excellent conductor of heat. Place the TrimDog Exercise Belt in the microwave and heat for 25 seconds for an x-small or small belt, 35 seconds for a medium belt, and 45 seconds for a large or x-large. After heating, hold the outside portion of the belt firmly to the back of your hand for 1 minute to test the temperature of the belt. The belt can now be fastened directly onto the shoulders, hips, and hind leg muscles to provide targeted pain-relief.

For Hips & Hind Legs:

Turn the belt inside-out so the so the loops to hold the weights onto the belt are visible.
Place the weights over the area you wish to heat and Velcro the belt underneath the dog or above the dog as pictured below to achieve desired position. You may have to use the additional adjustment located on the opposite side of the Velcro to make it smaller to accommodate the smaller waist size of the dog. Then affix the long, skinny (normally chest straps) around the rear of the animal just underneath the tail. Leave the belt on for 5-15 minutes at a time.

For shoulders and upper front limbs

Turn the belt inside-out so the loops that hold the weights onto the belt are visible. Place the weights over the area you wish to provide heat and Velcro the belt underneath the dog. You may have to use the additional adjustment now located on top of the belt to make it smaller to accommodate the size of the dog. Then affix the long, skinny (chest straps) around the chest of the dog. If this does not cover the area you wish to provide heat. Rotate the belt to place it over the chest and then Velcro the main strap just behind the front legs. Then, affix the long, skinny straps over the back of the dog for a snug fit. Leave the belt on for 5-15 minutes at a time.

Dog Weight Loss, What Should you be Doing?

Lets talk weight loss for dogs. You now have 2 choices. You can take a fish (a bag of weight management food) and your dog will lose a little weight temporarily OR you can learn to fish (The TrimDog Weight Loss System) and your dog will be fit and healthy for life. You must learn how to portion your dog's food and how much exercise is necessary to maintain a healthy weight. Shortcuts will result in a roller coaster journey that will only result in negative health consequences to your dog. Remember, dogs that maintain a healthy weight live up to 2 years longer. Choose the TrimDog Weight Loss System and learn to fish; give your dog a chance to be fit and healthy for life.

Incorporation of the TrimDog Exercise Belt with Hydrotherapy

The TrimDog Exercise Belt is now water-proof and can be used during hydrotherapy: to allow dogs to burn more calories while walking and still decrease the stress on the joints, maintain a more favorable knee angle as opposed to inclining the treadmill while recovering from knee injuries, to stimulate greater recruitment of Type II muscle fibers of the hind legs,and by wearing the belt towards the rear of the dog promoting weight-bearing through the hind legs.

Video filmed at Wilmington Animal Fitness & Rehabilitation

Dogs lose Weight with TrimDog

*TrimDog Success Story* Spotlight

Meet Max. Max's mommy was concerned about his growing waistline. His diet was already far superior than most dog's because of his mommy's background as a Registered Dietitian. They exercised regularly but Max was still not at his ideal weight. Max's mommy decided to add the TrimDog exercise belt to his regular walks while maintaining his current diet. 6 weeks later, Max was reweighed at his veterinarian's office and had lost an incredible 5-6% of his body weight. Max is now on his way to living a longer, healthier life thanks to Max's mommy and her devotion to help Max get fit and healthy.





After 40 lbs






Before 42.5 lbs

"I love the TrimDog exercise belt, not only does it help to burn a few extra calories, it also gives Max the feeling that he is "working" so he feels that he has a purpose on his walks. He gets so excited when he sees the exercise belt come out of the closet. It's like he's saying, "Time to go to work." Max lost just over 5% of his body weight in 6 weeks.
Max's Mommy
Jennifer Smart, Washington D.C.

TrimDog's Rainy Day Workout for Dogs

Rainy days don't have to stop you from exercising your dog. TrimDog's new rainy day workout will burn calories, build muscle, and give your dog the daily exercise needed for good health. Next time mother nature cancels your dog's walk, give TrimDog's rainy day workout a try. Check out our video for exercise descriptions and to learn more about TrimDog.

Dog Arthritis Remedy

Weight loss is a huge remedy for decreasing arthritic pain in dogs. Weight loss relieves pain in dogs by decreasing the everyday stress on the joints. NSAID pain medication is the most common method for decreasing arthritc pain in dogs but is not the preferred method for long term treatment. Weight loss in a dog of approximately 10% of their bodyweight can provide as much pain relief as giving NSAID pain medication. (Average weight loss with the TrimDog Weight Loss System is 3-5% of bodyweight in 6 weeks.) If your pet suffers from chronic athritis consider getting them started on a weight loss program as soon as possible so they can enjoy a fit and healthy life.