This past weekend, I drove to Albuquerque to get my first puppy! She is a beautiful Akita, and I’ve named her Sparkle. I am already in love! I’m happy to I have healthy feet during this time, because puppy training has me moving around more than usual.

Sparkle is my first pet, and I’m learning how much training is involved. She needs to be carried outside to piddle every two hours throughout the night. After meals, she also has to be carried outside to do her business. Puppy playtime happens shortly thereafter, which usually involves short bursts of sprinting.

The first thing I notice when I wake up throughout the night, are my subtle aches and pains. I’ve been training hard over the past several months to race a fast mile, and my tendons and fascia have acute flare ups. I’ve noticed myself gingerly stepping out of bed each time I have to get Sparkle up. Fortunately, the aches subside quickly. Nevertheless, they have me realizing how lucky I am to not be seriously injured during these first few weeks of puppy training.

Puppies want their owners to have healthy feet! Chronic and acute injuries can really put a damper on puppy training. I can assure you that foot pain, such as plantar fasciitis, would make these mornings much more difficult. Sparkle would sense my tension and lack of enthusiasm for puppy training if I was hobbling with a grimace.

Everybody can have healthy feet!  Most acute and chronic foot problems can be managed effectively with conservative care. Treatment might be as simple as taking the correct anti-inflammatory, or starting a stretching regimen. An orthotic that slips into your shoes first thing in the morning before puppy training can also alleviate foot pain.

At Final Kick Ankle and Foot Clinic, we offer several treatment options for every foot ankle problem.  Puppy training shouldn’t be painful. Healthy feet are a must! Get your foot pain checked out today!