A Tired Dog Is A Good Dog

By MARTHA V. SCANLON
Falmouth Enterprise
Jul 18, 2008 – 11:45:23 AM

While training for the Cape Cod Marathon last fall, Falmouth resident Jason Michaud brought his Jack Russell terrier, Hunter, running along with him. The two ran up to 50 miles in a week.

Mr. Michaud noticed that the regular exercise dramatically improved Hunter’s behavior, changing him from an aggressive dog to a friendly one, and he decided to start a business that would help other dog owners experience similar changes.

I figured, maybe this could be a service that I offer to other people,” Mr. Michaud said.

Last month, he began Cape K9 Cardio, an exercise service for dogs that is based out of his home. The motto of the business, he said, is “a fit dog is a happy dog.”
Similar to humans, obesity is a problem among dogs, Mr. Michaud said.
A lack of exercise can contribute to aggressive and poor behavior in dogs, he said. In addition to a longer life span, he said, fit dogs are often better behaved because they are more relaxed and submissive.

A German shepherd that he worked with recently placed first in a show, something that the dog’s handler attributed to its increased exercise, Mr. Michaud said.

Before he starts running with a dog, Mr. Michaud conducts an interview with its owner to learn about its temperament and its exercise ability. He looks at the dog’s current fitness level and its age and breed, and takes it on a trial run to develop an exercise plan.

Runs range from 30 to 60 minutes and include a warm-up and cool down.
Mr. Michaud even carries a collapsible water bowl and water bottles to make sure the dog stays hydrated during its exercise.

He said that he monitors the dog during the run and sticks to a pace where the dog is comfortable. He also wears a GPS watch that allows him to provide owners with their dog’s route and a training report.
He takes the dogs for runs in their neighborhoods, or, for a small travel fee, will bring them to places like the Shining Sea Bikeway or Goodwill Park, he said.

Originally, the business offered only running for dogs, but it now also includes dog walking, pet sitting, and a “pet shuttle” that takes pets to vet and grooming appointments. Mr. Michaud said that he currently has customers in Falmouth, Sandwich, and Mashpee, and hopes to eventually expand to cover the whole Cape.

An avid runner who has completed the Falmouth Road Race and Cape Cod Marathon for many years, Mr. Michaud said that the business is enjoyable for him because he loves the sport so much.

It’s really fit in well with my lifestyle. I’m running all the time anyway,” he said.

Mr. Michaud is also an air traffic controller at Otis Air National Guard Base, and his wife, Laura A. Michaud, works for Inn Season Resorts on Falmouth Inner Harbor. The Michauds have lived in Falmouth for seven years and their two daughters, 14-year-old Alexis and 12-year-old MacKenzie, both go to Falmouth Academy.

In addition to Hunter, the family also has Joey, a Jack Russell terrier that they adopted from Friends of Falmouth Dogs, and Quilla, a Cairn terrier mix that Mr. Michaud got while he was stationed in Germany with the Air Force.

More information on Cape K9 Cardio is available at www.capek9cardio.com.