Dogs on a leash 101

What a beautiful day in San Diego! I just got back from another great walk in Balboa Park with the boys (Niko and Tyson). If you see me in the park with my dogs on leash, you probably notice I never stop to let other dogs say "hi". Typically I will say hello to you and keep on walking. Why? You ask...

When your dog is on leash a couple of things are happening all at once:

1st: When your dog is leashed, it should be training time. Whether on a walk or sitting on a park bench, if your dog is leashed all he should be concerned with is your next move. This is the best training time you have. The only thing your dog should be allowed to do while on leash is listen to you. Sure, you can play, walk, run. But while doing all of the above, your dog should be constantly 'checking in' with you as to what the next move should be.

2nd: When on leash, your dog is feeling a bit vulnerable in part because he is protecting you. Instantly when that leash goes around their neck, they know that protection is what it's all about. So when you allow other dogs to come up, you're just asking for trouble. Have respect for this. It's such an important piece of your bonding.

The opposite is true as well. If you're headed to dog park - take your dog off leash. For the all the same reasons. There's nothing worse than a dog feeling vulnerable on leash and handfuls of other dogs come running up to him. That's disaster waiting to happen.

Remember when walking on leash your energy is carried down to your dog via your leash. Just like an extension cord - the energy you're tapping into is the energy your putting out there. The behavior of your dog is all about you. No exceptions. A great EGO/behavior/emotional check in station for you is to watch your dog: Are they too hyper? Do they listen? Are they too aggressive? Are they too passive? Are they too lazy? Do they get enough exercise? (do you like that trainer plug?)

A dog just like our partners, friends, bosses, employees and the random person who just cut you off on the freeway are all mirrors for us. Providing us with a detailed description of all the issues we need to work on ourselves. So the next time you feel someone is treating you unfairly, take a good look in the mirror and ask yourself: Who are you treating unfairly? Maybe that person is staring right back at you. And, the next time your dog is pulling you around and not listening... Ask yourself: Who am I pulling around on a leash? Who am I not listening to?

Alright, take all that mumbo jumbo, throw it together and voila! A perfect recipe for a well trained dog and a well trained dog owner.

Barks and Tail Wags,

Michael

How come walking out of Barnes & Noble with bag in hand makes you feel so smart? I just left the Encinitas location with two books: Born To Run by Christopher McDougall and The Twitter Book by Tim O'Reilly and Sarah Milstein. I went in to the store for the 1st but couldn't leave without the 2nd which was on sale for 40% off! Sweet! Plus I had a 10% coupon and a $60 gift card! Total score!! I'll keep you posted on the reading...

Inspiration to share!

Today was one of those days where I was looking for a bit of inspiration. I've been there before and I have a great 'go to' solution. I look at what others in my field are doing!
After I left the studio today, I drove down to Pacific Beach to sit and think (and drink coffee, of course). While I was there, I happened to run across a few fitness sessions taking place on the beach. Whether they were with a personal trainer or not, I'm not sure. But just seeing these groups of people exercising was enough. It switched on the Light. I've been in this position before and I knew just what to do. When I arrived home I spent some time viewing other trainers websites and blogs. I have a group of trainers who I admire whether having met them in person, on Facebook or on Twitter. This was in it's own way a great brainstorming session for me. I love to read what others are doing in the world of fitness. I love to see how other trainers interpret fitness for their clients.
So perhaps your next session with me will reflect some aspects from a favorite trainer in England, in Australia, in Michigan or perhaps 1 of my many favorite trainers in NEW JERSEY!!! : )
I hope you will take some of the inspiration I received today from my peers. Regardless of your career: CEO, Stay-at-home Mom, Barista at Starbucks, Teacher, etc., look to your peers for some inspiration! You never know what you may find!!

All the best!

Michael

My sample lunch!

This is a sample lunch option for you to try. This has been my lunch each day this week! I feel great and have tons of workout strength from it. Alter the amount based on your caloric needs:

1 1/2 cups brown rice
6 oz of Nigari Tofu
1/2 cup mixed vegetables
1/2 cup spinach
2 tbl spns Soy Sauce (wheat free)

Try it. You just may like it... : )

Kettlebells at any age...

Kettlebells have hit the air swinging and I see no end in sight. The popularity of these perfect bells is all due to the amazing results they provide. Today I simply want to acknowledge an awesome feat in our Kettlebell world. Here at BodyRefinery we train people of all ages. Currently our clientele range is 14 - 87! In that upper range, coming in at the perfect age of 67, soon to be 68, is a client who has been with us for quite a number of years. In the past couple of years, Kettlebells have been introduced to his program. We have worked with him through a variety of health issues including overcoming cancer, chemotherapy and radiation. You may be unfamiliar with the lasting affects of radiation (and I hope you are). There is a great potential for breakdown in muscle, bone and overall body strength and stabilization. With constant work and dedication to exercise and fitness, we have overcome, surpassed and moved far beyond the potential of your average 67 year old fitness level.

I am extremely happy to report that with an ongoing workout program which includes BodyRefinery and Kettlebell work, our client, just this week, accomplished the Turkish Getup with a 20KG Kettlebell! Congratulations!

In the greatest of health,

Michael Luongo

This Is It!

It's the first Monday of the first full week of 2010! Yes! The studio is off to a great start. So, I must take a moment and say: Thank You. Thank you to you my clients, my readers and my friends. It is because of you that everyday I get to do what I truly enjoy doing. I love being a personal trainer, business owner and now as of 2009, a blogger/twitterer/facebooker : ) Without you, all of this wouldn't be possible.

This April will be our 9 year anniversary! Can you believe it? This is going to be our biggest most productive year yet. We will be building up to April 1, 2011 - our 10 year anniversary - as the training studio providing the most results!!! That's because this year, you our clients, will be working harder than ever to reach your goals. (now don't get scared)

This Is It! Yes, that's the title to an awesome Michael Jackson documentary (which I highly recommend) but it has just become our slogan for 2010. This Is It! This is the year to reach all your goals. I am here to help. I am here to motivate you. Hopefully, I am here to inspire you. The journey has begun and I am sure glad we are doing it together.

In the greatest of health!

Michael Luongo

Just got to Balboa Park with the dogs. It is packed! Everyone and their neighbor is here... I guess a 2pm free organ concert can pack them in. If u haven't been here in a while, you should come. Lots of great trails to run, walk, hike. Lots of open space for, oh I don't know, some Kettlebell swings...! : )

For now, Me, Niko and Tyson will enjoy some of our favorite trails.

FREE Trial Sessions

Here's another part of the resolutions. My FREE Trial Sessions page on our website. Copy and paste: http://www.bodyrefinery.com/id7.html

Ok. So I've added my iPhone to my blog...if u r reading this I guess it worked... : )

The beginning...

This is it! The beginning of the new blog! I hope this address makes it easier to read, subscribe to, and learn from. So it's the 1st of the year (well really the 2nd) and I have made some serious resolutions this year. And for the most part this is the 1st time I am doing such a thing. I will share some of them with you in the coming months. As you may have guessed - this is one of those resolutions...getting better at blogging....mainly because you have asked : )

Here's the skinny...This blog is going to be a culmination of all things me! Yes, me. What does that mean exactly: 1 part BodyRefinery, 1 part personal stuff, a big dash of all things you let me know you are interested in and poof hopefully something worth while reading! : )

Now I must figure out how to publish this and get it attached to our homepage: www.bodyrefinery.com

Talk to you soon...