January 2019 | It's Dog or Nothing

Great Pyrenees try Dr. Marty's freeze-dried raw dog food, Nature's Blend.

Recently, we added a new food to the floofs’ meal rotation, and it’s been a huge hit. If you have a Great Pyrenees, I’m sure you know the pain of trying to keep your dog interested in their food. We have a few standard go-tos that the floofs will eat consistenty, and I’m thrilled to add Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend to the list.

Dr. Marty is a brand of pet food and nutritional supplements formulated by renowned vet, Dr. Marty, and a team of pet experts with the same mission in mind:

To deliver high-level nutrition to your pets in the most delicious way possible.
– Dr. Marty

Together, they created several products for dogs and cats—full of nutrients and great flavor—that leave your pets begging for more. All Dr. Marty ingredients are ethically sourced and of the highest grade.

The Man Behind the Meal

For four decades, Dr. Martin Goldstein has been a leading voice in the veterinary community. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University, specializing in integrative canine medicine to help prevent and treat many diseases.

Many experts–—and thousands of satisfied clients—consider him to be America’s foremost integrative veterinarian. Dr. Marty knows what your dog needs to stay its healthiest—and creates products to help.

Related: Nutrition Variation with a Rotation Diet

Nature’s Blend

Nature’s Blend, Dr. Marty’s Premium Freeze-Dried Dog Food, is a nutrition-packed formula designed to give your dog a healthier, happier life.

We blend a variety of meats, fish, ranch-raised beef and duck, and other protein sources with fruits and vegetables for the balanced, complete nutrition your dog needs. We receive all our ingredients fresh, then gently freeze dry them so they’re bursting with flavor and nutrition.
– Dr. Marty

Nature’s Blend Quick Facts

Nature’s Blend is:

gently freeze-dried
made from a variety of meats, fish, ranch-raised beef and duck, and other protein sources with fruits and vegetables
all-natural
free from chemicals and fillers
suitable for most dog breeds and ages

The Floof Test

I can think a food is great, but if Mauja, Atka, and Kiska won’t eat it, it’s pointless. I always try to refrain from getting too excited about a food until the floofs give it a taste test (and eat it for more than two days in a row).

First step, prepare the food—it’s super simple. Just add water, wait three minutes, and serve. The floofs will tell you that the three minute wait is torture 😉

When I make their food, I always add a little extra water and let it sit for a few minutes longer, turning the water into a nice “broth” for them. They love it and think it’s an added treat! It also enhances the flavor of dry food nicely.

The results are in.

Nature’s Blend is a HUGE hit for my three. I was worried because Kiska can be sensitive to turkey, but she’s been eating the food without an issue for a few months now. I think the blend of protein sources makes all the difference.

If you have a picky eater and are worried about spending the money, only to have your dog not eat it, don’t worry. Dr. Marty offers a 90-day money back guarantee—no questions asked.

Dr. Marty also has a few supplements that I’m interested in testing. First is a digestive supplement called ProPower Plus. All three have always had sensitive stomachs, and I’ve been looking for a good digestive supplement for her.

Related: How to Help Your Dog Gain Weight

The other supplement we’re interested in trying is a joint supplement called Free & Active. Having giant breeds, I’m always concerned about joint issues, and start all my dogs on a joint supplement immediately. Since Mauja has had TPLO surgery and showed mild arthritis in her other knee, keeping her joints healthy is extremely important to me.

Have cats? No problem. Dr. Marty also has a freeze-dried cat food called Nature’s Feast. I’ve been so thrilled with the dog food, that I’m thinking of trying this for Indie.

Stay tuned to hear more about Dr. Marty. They support Freedom Service Dogs of America, an organization that trains rescue pups to be service dogs. If you’ve been around awhile, you know Kiska was a rescue and is now my service dog in training. I can’t wait to tell you more about this amazing partnership!

In the meantime, treat your pup and give Nature’s Blend a try. I have a feeling you’ll want to add it to your normal food rotation. We have a special offer for new customers!

Try Nature’s Blend today! Your dog will thank you.

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Dr. Marty. Don’t worry—our opinions aren’t influenced by any sort of compensation. We only care what the floofs think 😉

Are you looking to get a gym membership to reach your goals in the new year? If you have a Great Pyrenees, you can skip the membership—here's how.

The top resolutions every new year are to eat better and get in shape. I’m sure it’s been your resolution at least once (I know it’s been mine!). But gym memberships can be expensive—especially the sign up fee.

I’ve been looking for ways to get fit that don’t require going to a gym, and I realized the answer was in front of me this whole time. When I thought about it, having Great Pyrenees can give me a cardio and strength training workout.

You don’t need a gym membership—just a Great Pyrenees.

(psst… you can see the entire routine at the end of the article)

Cardio

First, let’s start with some cardiovascular exercise to keep your heart and lungs fit. You don’t need to step on a treadmill or spend hours on the elliptical to do get your workout in. That’s why you have a Great Pyrenees!

Running stairs to quiet barking: daily – 20x/day

Let’s set the scene. You decide to put your home office upstairs, in the front of the house. Pyrs like to spend time in the backyard, which you can only access from the downstairs.

You’re getting some work done in your office and your Great Pyrenees starts to bark. To prevent your neighbors from calling the cops, you run downstairs, thank your pyrs for barking to quiet them down, then return to work.

Approximately three minutes pass (if you’re lucky), and they start to bark again. Back down the stairs, back up the stairs. Over and over and over.

There’s your cardio workout for the day!

Chasing during a walkabout: 30 min – 1x/week

These smart escape artists can get out of almost anything. Whether it’s a friend not closing the front door entirely, or maybe your pyr can open the back gate—they’re always looking for an adventure.

Related: I Thank My Great Pyrenees for Barking

When they get a taste of adventure, they capitalize—and they are quick. Most people wouldn’t expect a pyr to be exceptionally agile, but they have to be to do their job. How can a pyr succesfully protect their flock from wolves and bears if they have no agility?

There have been times we’ve basically clotheslined the dog to end the walkabout. Did I tell you about the time Kiska jumped out of the SUV window and went on an adventure? ? That’s a story for another day…

Trying to get your pyr inside: 10 mins – 5x/day

It doesn’t matter how small your yard is—if your pyr doesn’t want to come inside, you’re going to have a challenge. Our yard is a good size, and trying to corral three dogs into the house isn’t an easy task.

If they’re in guard dog mode (and when aren’t they in guard dog mode?), it will be a new level of challenging. Put on your running shoes—you might need cleats if you’re in the muddy PNW like us—and let the games begin.

Sometimes, I think I need a Border Collie to herd them all inside ??‍♀️

Strength Training

We can’t just focus on cardio—strength training is equally important! Luckily, you don’t need weights or fancy machines to work your muscles. Your Great Pyrenees is all you need for strength training.

Brushing your pyr: 30 mins – 3x/week

Think dumbbells and weight-lifting machines are the only way you can get an arm workout? Think again. Brushing your Great Pyrenees will give the arm training you never knew you needed.

You’ll also feel sore in places you didn’t know could feel sore. I realized I had muscles in the strangest places.

Since the pyr shed is never-ending, you’ll always have a good strength training option when you need it! Grab your favorite brush, and start grooming.

Trimming the nails: 10 mins – 1x/week

Another essential part of the Great Pyrenees grooming routine, and a great way to build your arm and grip strength.

If by some miracle you’ve found toenail clippers that can easily trim pyr nails (that also aren’t hedge clippers), you won’t get as much of a workout here. However, that’s a rare find (and please tell me your secret tool).

Related: 5 Must-Have Tools for Grooming Great Pyrenees

Keeping your dog still and trying to get through their thick nails will be a full body workout.

We’re working on transitioning all the dogs to a dremel for nail trimming, but we’re working on our grip strength in the meantime.

Lifting into the car: as needed

If you have a queen like Mauja, you’ll have to help lift your dog into the car. And not to reveal a lady’s weight, but Mauja isn’t light as a feather. She’s like, a lot of feathers—and floof.

Or maybe you share your life with a Great Pyrenees who is afraid of cars or who has never been in one. There have been many transports that I’ve needed to lift an insecure pyr into the car.

We do have a great car ramp for dogs, but sometimes it just isn’t convenient.

Oh, and remember. Lift with your legs not your back.

Keeping the home fur-free: 15 mins – 3x/day

How many times a day do you vacuum or sweep? If I want to keep the house looking *somewhat* tidy, I vacuum once a day. If I want a clean house, it’s at least three times per day.

At least.

Little did you realize, your Great Pyrenees is actually helping you get fit! I’ve decided that’s why they shed so much. They’re just looking out for our health. What wonderful dogs ?

Walking an untrained pyr: 30 mins – 2x/day

Pyrs aren’t just born with great leash manners—it takes a lot of work and practice. And these lovable goofballs are strong.

Related: How to Train Loose Leash Walking

I’ve received many strange looks while attempting to walk an untrained Great Pyrenees. The leash becomes a toy, you get tangled in leash and paws, and SQUIRREL. It’s another full body strength training exercise!

So, see—you really don’t need a gym membership to achieve your resolutions this year. All you need is a Great Pyrenees (and a little humor ?).

[fancy_box id=16 linked_cu=7820 background=”rgb(0, 0, 0)”]Download your Great Pyrenees workout routine here![/fancy_box]

Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food from Dr. Marty