When I first adopted my dog Wilbur, I was stoked that I’d finally have a running buddy. I’ve been a runner for about a decade, and anytime I’d pass someone running with their dog, it always looked so fun – the ideal way to bond with your pal, while ensuring you both get your exercise.

Unfortunately, Wilbur revealed himself to be less of an athlete and more of a… lazy punk. He preferred nap time to play time and would rather stare at his bowl than chase a ball. But once I started him on Ollie, I saw a BIG change in him.

Turns out, he was never lazy – he was tired, because his old kibble wasn’t providing enough nutrients! Switching to fresh, human-grade food from Ollie gave him more energy and a whole new lease on life. Now, he loves going on runs even more than I do! 

Nutrition Matters

One of the first things you learn when you start working out is that what you put into your body matters just as much as what you put your body through. If I ate clean, I could count on a good run. If I ate crappy, processed junk all day, I was in for a bad time.

My forehead-smack moment came when I realized that… duh, the same thing applies to Wilbur! The kibble he had been eating was the dog equivalent of fast food: nutrient-deficient, highly-processed, and carb-heavy. No wonder he was sluggish; he was always carbo-loading! 

Switching him to Ollie was basically the same as when I decided to swap Cheetos for carrots as my afternoon snack (except that unlike carrots, Ollie is actually the tastier option!). His fresh meals aren’t just made from 100% human-grade ingredients; they’re also perfectly balanced to provide all of the vitamins and minerals essential to his health, with no added junk like hormones, by-products, or fillers.

All of this nutritional goodness directly translates to better health, mood, and energy levels, and I saw that firsthand. Before I knew it, Mr. “I’d rather be napping” was spending less time on the couch and more time running around the backyard. 

Happy T(r)ails

Before you run out the front door with your dog, there are a few things to be aware of. 

First off, not all breeds are built for distance. Wilbur’s good for a few miles, but a Chihuahua might not make it around the block on those lil legs. And even if your dog is up for a long run, it’s important to be mindful of everything they can’t communicate with you: are they dehydrated? Is it too hot out? Are their feet getting sore? Are they ready to go home and watch Top Chef?

Wilbur and I started slow as his energy levels were ramping back up with Ollie. We went from longer play sessions in the backyard, to longer walks, then eventually slow, short jogs with plenty of opportunities to rest. Essentially, I put him on the same training program I was on when I first started running! 

After a couple months, it was clear that the change in diet was paying off. Not only had Wilbur’s energy levels increased dramatically, but there were other benefits: his coat was shinier, his poops were healthier (well-formed, regular, and a normal chocolate color, if you’re curious!), and he had even stopped begging for scraps (or at least slowed down a little). All in all, he was happier and healthier than he’d ever been, and I credit it entirely to Ollie. 

Couch to 10K: Dog Edition

Running’s never been something that I do out of a sense of competition. (You won’t catch me in a marathon anytime soon.) I just want to stay healthy so I can be around for my family long-term. And I think that’s a big part of why I was so excited for Wilbur to run with me: I want him around for as long as possible. 

With Ollie, Wilbur has more energy to run, jump, and play – plus I know he’s getting the essential vitamins and nutrients his body needs, with fresh, human-grade ingredients and personalized meal plans just for him. Ollie has basically single-handedly turned my lazy boy into the loving ball of energy he was always supposed to be. He truly seems to be living his happiest, healthiest life and it makes my heart swell with pride.

If you’re looking to join the (running) club and make the switch to Ollie for your dog, you can save 50% on your first box!