Walk N' Wag

Welcome to the RIVMA Walk ‘N Wag Challenge!

It’s estimated that over 40%, or 30 million dogs, are overweight. Obesity in dogs increases the risk of diabetes, cancer, heart problems, difficulty breathing, aching joints, intolerance to exercise, and can even shorten their life. The mission of the Walk ‘N Wag Challenge is to use the human-animal bond to improve the health of dogs and their owners, while creating awareness of the growing canine obesity problem.

The Challenge is an 8-week fitness program where participants track distance walked and, if they choose, amount of weight lost to compete for prizes.  Using the spirit of teamwork and competition among dog owners, the Challenge is a fun way to achieve healthier lifestyles for people and their dogs. Participants can do to the challenge right from their home but there will be events during the 8 weeks to help build momentum and team spirit during the program.  The Challenge kicks off on September 13, 2008, at the Providence Animal Rescue League Annual Pet Walk at Roger Williams Park Temple to Music at 8:30 a.m.  Participants in Walk ‘N Wag do not have to be registered for the PARL Pet Walk, however this is a good way to start your fitness program with your dog. Registrations will be taken the day of the Pet Walk.

Click here to download a registration form or contact the RIVMA office at info@rivma.org

Calendar

How The Program Works

• Participants register by mail or fax for a $10 fee per owner-dog pair, $15 per team. The registration fee includes a pedometer, bandana, log sheets, e-mails, and eligibility to win prizes.
• People can participate in two ways, individually as owner-dog pairs, or in teams.
• Teams consist of more than one owner-dog pair. Owners and dogs don’t have to be evenly matched.
• Teams with multiple owners will have captains whose job is to coordinate with the team members, collect results from members, and submit the teams results at the end of the competition.
• Participants can compete in categories of distance walked, pounds lost, or both.
• Participants should weigh their dogs every 2 to 4 weeks and record it on their log sheet. Owner weights can be measured on a daily basis.
• Distance will be recorded for both the dog and owner. Pounds lost can be recorded for the owner, dog, or both.
• At the end of the competition, participants and team captains tally and submit their results by mail, fax, or by e-mail. Prizes will be awarded for team and dog-owner pair who lost the largest percentage of weight and walked the farthest distance.

Team Captain Responsibilities

Team captains can help participants be more successful by organizing the team, motivating members, and making sure every member reports their results by the end of the competition. Click Here to download Team Captain Worksheet

Team captains will have the following responsibilities:

• Inviting team members and registering the team.
• Team members should be able to download/copy the log book and handbook and distribute to team members.
• The members pedometers and bandanas will be mailed to the team captain. The captain will distribute them to the team members.
• Collect each team members results at the end of the competition and submit to the RIVMA office by the deadline.

Finally, captains cheer their members on to success!

Frequently asked questions

Who can participate?
To participate in the weight loss category owners must be over 18 years and dogs over 1 year of age. For the distance category, participants can be 14 year or older and dogs 9 months or older. All dogs should be current on Rabies vaccination as required by law. You should contact your doctor prior to starting any exercise program. Likewise, if your pet has any medical conditions you should discuss your pet’s health with your veterinarian before starting the challenge.

How many people can be on a team?
There is no limit to the size of teams.

What is the cost?
$10 per owner-dog pair, $15 per team.

How do I register?
You can register by mail or fax. Click here to download a registration form.

What does my registration fee include?
Your fee includes a digital pedometer, Walk ’N Wag pet bandana, logsheets, newsletters, access to program events, and eligibility to win prizes.

Does my dog’s weight have to be checked at my veterinarian?
It is encouraged but not required. Research has shown that when owners of overweight dogs are asked if they think their pet is overweight, up to 60% of them respond that their pet’s body condition is ideal. Therefore having an objective trained professional assess your pets body condition and set weight loss goals will be the most accurate. Scroll down for the listing of veterinary clinics participating as weigh-in sites. You will also be able to have your pet weighed and assessed at the kick-off event.

Will my weight be seen by other people?
No. Your weight does not need to be seen by anyone except yourself. By reporting the percentage of weight loss over the eight weeks you will not have to share your actual weight. The log sheets contain a work sheet to help you calculate the percentage of weight loss over the eight weeks. We will not be posting personal information of any participants, but only team names.

Do I have to compete in the weight loss category?
No. You may compete only in the distance category. You also have the choice to enroll only yourself or only your dog in this category.

Do other types of exercise count?
Because the goal of the Walk ’N Wag Challenge is for owners and dogs to exercise together the competition only includes distance walked together. However, we encourage other forms of exercise for both dogs and their owners.

How will categories be judged?
Because the wide range of sizes in dogs and people, weight loss will be judged based on percentage of body weight rather than actual pounds lost for the individual. Teams will be judged on average percentage of weight loss and distance walked per participant to account for differences in size of teams.

How do you prevent cheating?
Since the goal of the program and its participants should be to improve themselves and their dogs, we are depending on the honor system for people to report their progress accurately.

Ways to weigh your dog

The following resources are available to weigh your dog during the challenge.

1. Weigh-in stations will be available at the kick-off event, as well as at the October and November events.
2. Go to a participating veterinarian to weigh your dog.
3. If you are able to lift your dog, you can use a home scale. Weigh yourself holding your dog and then subtract your weight to get your dog’s weight.

Click here to find instructions on how to calculate distance walked

Click here to download weekly log sheets

Click here to download final distance walked/weight lost submission sheet