Tails will wag with plenty of active play and exercise By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com
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uring the month of April, National Canine Fitness Month focuses on keeping our loyal companions happy and healthy. “Dogs definitely need a lot of exercise and activity,” said Cindy Christensen, an experienced dog trainer and owner of Let’s Train Your Dog. “Activity is where a dog gets its mental health. Any dog can become depressed and destructive, and I think it is one of the biggest things that dogs do not get enough exercise.” Directing your dog through a timed obstacle course may not be the type of exercise your companion needs. The size and breed of the dog will dictate the type of training it needs. “Walking your dog is a relatively new thing. In my day we opened the back door and let them run around. Working dogs like a German shepherd or labradoodle are high-energy breeds and they need a lot of exercise. A Newfoundland is a giant dog but will sleep all day. The breed of the dog is a big factor,” Christensen said. Active play is one way to incorporate more exercise for your dog. Throw a ball or stick in a safe environment or better yet run or jog alongside it. Others may use their own yoga routine, asking the dog to lay down when you’re in a cobra pose or sit when you’re in a downward-facing dog pose. The company FitPaws spearheads the month-long awareness to help prevent canine obesity and keep dogs active. Just like their human counterparts too much sitting around and large amounts of treats can cause weight gain,
Silly, Jonesi, and Call sit patiently waiting for their owner to take them for a walk. (Photo courtesy of Kortney Wilcock)
sore joints, difficulty breathing, and a higher risk of other diseases. Sedentarism, the lack of movement, has become a normal lifestyle for many canines and their humans. The opposite of a sedentary lifestyle is movement. Canine Fitness Month encourages dog owners to take a step toward a healthier lifestyle with their four-legged friends.
“Sometimes we wonder why dogs go crazy. I had a depressed pit bull in Magna that jumped through a plate glass window. It had so much energy and needed to expend that energy. I really believe that people don’t exercise their dogs enough,” Christensen said. The amount of exercise a dog needs should be a deciding factor in the type of dog you bring into your life and home. “Do research before you pick a dog. Learn about the mom and dad of the puppies. Are they high energy or do they have other health issues? I believe many of the backyard breeders do not know what they are doing. Do your homework. Don’t pay a fortune for a dog that you don’t know much about,” Christensen said. Obedience training can begin when a puppy reaches four weeks, but it is never too old to learn. “I think anyone can teach sit, come, heal, stay. It takes more than that to help the dog become well behaved,” Christensen said. Types of training methods vary. Christensen recommends teaching the dog respect, others use e-collars or treat recognition. “A dog really needs a couple of hours a day. A dog needs activity and if you are not willing then you probably should not buy one,” Christensen said. FitPaws is encouraging dog owners to share successes and tips using #caninefitnessmonth on social media. l
Granger soccer wants return to state dominance
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he seniors on the Granger High School soccer team are full of grit and determination. “For a team with a new coach and coming off a season with only three games. I feel like we are in a good place,” new Lancer head coach Tyler Stockstill said. The team will rely on the strength of a roster filled with 14 seniors. Their on-field experience had been limited with the cancellation of last season. In 2019, as sophomores, they advanced to the state tournament semifinals. “This is a strong senior group. They have had some good leadership and some really strong players in every position on the field,” Stockstill said. “What I have seen from the players so far is the attitude to improve each day. They have been developing a positive environment and pushing each other to get better.” They opened the season with two losses in very close games, a 3-2 overtime loss to Fremont, and then a final minutes defeat at the hands of East, 1-0. “Even though we have lost two games I have not seen the frustration spillover. They are using it to motivate themselves. These players are learning lessons and moving forward onto the next thing,” Stockstill said.
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By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com Seniors Jacob Hall and Jesus Arellano anchor the center of the field for the Lancers. According to their new coach, they will need to click to help defend the back. Midfielder Ryan Soto and forwards Salvador Colorado and Diego Fuentes round out the foundation of the team. “I think we are deep in every position on the field. Jake and Jesus are both strong players. Ryan is a top player for us. We also have two senior goalkeepers that are strong,” Stockstill said. Isaac Sanchez has played goal in the early season. Jose Gonzalez is expected back to help split time in goal. The Lancers compete in the Utah High School Activities Association’s Region 2 against Hunter, Cyprus, Kearns, Taylorsville and West Jordan. In 2019, the Lancers finished 4-4 in region play. “Traditionally, this is a pretty good region. Top to bottom I do not see any easy games,” Stockstill said. The experience of making the semifinals two years ago is something that will help them. “What is important about that run is the players are able to realize the potential that has existed for a long time. They have learned that if they carry the right attitude
The 2019 Lancer soccer team advanced to the semifinals before losing 2-1 to Copper Hills. (Photo courtesy of Granger soccer))
and put in the work during games and training it can pay off. That is what we are seeing in this group,” Stockstill said. Granger won a region title in 2018 going 7-1. That season they lost to Riverton in the first round of the state tournament. They have never won a state championship. “One of our challenges is to build a culture of winning. It is how we carry ourselves on the field, in the classroom, and outside of school. We want to represent the school and leave the program better than when we found
it,” Stockstill said. “The talent has been here, they just have not gotten the opportunities. We have been learning how to face challenges. The confidence comes when they realize they have the ability to overcome it. Challenges are not bad things, it’s how we face them that makes us who we are. I am proud of the work these kids have done on and off the field.” The 6A state finals are scheduled to be held on May 23 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy. l
West Valley City Journal