619-822-3296 
We hear it all of the time, “My dog is too small to hike!”, “My dog is too small for your classes”, “My dog is too small for WHATEVER!”. Guess what?! That is not true!
When I got Jack (20 lbs), he did everything with me. He even ran along side my mountain bike as I braved the hills. I didn’t know if that was normal for a small dog until I started Leash Your Fitness in 2009. One of our first dogs was a Pomeranian. Man! That dog would hurdle the hay bails, run up and down the A frame, go hiking and do everything the big dogs did. I learned a lot in the first few years about small dogs!
The dog that surprises me the most is 5 pound Mimi! She is a small toy poodle. Recently she started joining us in our run classes and I thought that her mom, Ana, would have to put her in a carrier when we did the stairs. NOT!! Mimi did over 500 stairs!
I asked Ana if she would tell us a little bit about Mimi and how Leash Your Fitness has helped her so maybe it would inspire other small dogs to get out and have some fun!
DAWN: Tell us a little bit about Mimi
ANA: Mimi is a small toy Poodle. She weighs only 5 pounds. She is 11 years old.
Mimi was my mom’s puppy. When mom passed, she was only 11 months old and I kept her. Oh boy did she rescue me!!
Mimi is a very mellow independent dog. She does very good if I leave her alone. She is very obedient and has never destroyed my shoes or anything.
She doesn’t care for dog toys. She is very particular with her food especially her treats. I always surprise her with different meals. Ever since she was a puppy I got her used to brushing her teeth daily and trimming her nails.
Mimi had a sister Bentley (my ex’s miniature Italian Greyhound) and we were very active running and going up and down stairs since we lived on the 32nd floor in Downtown SD. After our divorce the puppies also divorced. Mimi became sad and it was hard for her to get motivated to exercise without her sister. I would get Bentley to come and visit and do stuff with us just to help transition Mimi.
DAWN: How did you find out about Leash Your Fitness?
ANA: I saw a photo of a camping trip that LYF had in the Laguna Mountains. That’s it! I signed up for the next camping trip and the the many events LYF had to offer including the hikes and kayaking, I met wonderful gals and we stay very active all the time with our dogs.
DAWN: How has Leash Your Fitness helped you and Mimi?
ANA: LYF has so many different activities that Mimi and I participate in. The camaraderie is great! Mimi gets along with all dogs no matter the size.
Mimi surprises me all the time since I ask her to jump and she does….
I put her in the water when we go kayaking and she swims…
she even has her very own SUP (stand up paddleboard)…
She hikes right along with the big dogs like it is nothing!
She runs right up the A frame.
She participates in all of the dog friendly 5Ks with the Trail Dogs.
She is a natural athlete and she is fearless! Even if it is raining she goes out there and works out with me!
DAWN: How does she surprise you in what she does?
ANA: In all my activities I include Mimi. It seems like I need her more than she needs me!! I never underestimate what she can do. She even helps me with my workouts!
Mimi gets to go to work with me, she goes to classes and dinners with me and she does very well on airplanes. Everybody loves her and welcomes her in their houses since she is very quiet.
More importantly she is a diva and she knows it!!
I look forward to more and different events with LYF and I hope that we inspire other people to come out and participate with their small dogs!
Do you have an active small dog? We would love to hear about him / her in the comments below! And we would LOVE to meet him/ her!
