From the billionaires-funded donut shop to the abrupt shuttering of a neighborhood coffee house, retail changes continue to abound in River Oaks. The latest addition to the scene is River Oaks Dogs, “The Puppy Dog Personal Trainers,” which is determined to be the most doggie-centric company in Houston.
Not only will the new paws-oriented company take your four-legged friends out for a walk, they will monitor their fitness and diet as well.
The idea to start a fitness business aimed at out-of-shape pooches came after exercise consultant and dog lover Ryan Monceaux noticed that the spark his pug, Miles, once had was gone. (Monceaux owns a personal training company for humans called Houston Trainers.) The dog had gained weight and developed food allergies. Monceaux decided to apply the activity and nutritional concepts he uses in his personal training business to Miles. He increased cardio activities for the dog, engaged him in more playful activities, and put him on a strict fresh-food-only, portioned diet.
Not only will the new paws-oriented company take your four-legged friends out for a walk, they will monitor their fitness and diet as well.
In a matter of weeks, Monceaux noticed not only had Miles lost weight but also had picked back up his playful personality traits.
Monceaux and co-owner Gregory Meza develop personalized diet and exercise programs for every doggie client; the activity level depends on the breed, age, and other factors. River Oaks Dogs provides a pick-up/drop-off service, with a choice of anywhere from 30 minutes of exercise once a week to one hour of exercise four times a week. Prices ranging from $60 to $650, depending on the package chosen. Fitness includes brisk walks, jogging, sprints, running and playtime.
In addition to upping your pet’s endorphins, River Oaks Dogs has its very own recipes for doggie meals. These fresh meals include chicken, sirloin, and lamb combined with apples, sweet potatoes, green beans and carrots. “Bagged dog food is the fast food of the pet world. It's unhealthy and a high-calorie filler. We cook for our dogs and know exactly what they eat,” says Monceaux.
He has incorporated one of Miles’ favorite meals (recipe below) in The Doggie Diet, a doggie version of My Fit Foods-type meals that can be delivered twice a week or daily to a client's door. A week's worth of meals is $40 for fitness clients and $50 for non-fitness clients for weekly clients; $12 daily for delivery.
Miles' Chicken & Veggies
8 skinless chicken breasts
3 peeled sweet potatoes
4 cups of baby carrots
4 cups fresh green beans
2 cans of low sodium chicken broth
Cut the chicken breasts into dime-sized pieces and brown them. Then, put the chicken in a large pot or crock pot. Cut up sweet potatoes, carrots and green beans into dime-sized pieces — they go in the pot too. Add the chicken broth and simmer for an hour on medium to medium-low heat, stirring every 10 minutes or so. When finished, drain the chicken broth and let cool. Makes 7 days (14 meals) worth of delicious, healthy meals.
Staying true to their local roots, Monceaux and Meza plan to donate 10 percent of profits to local pet welfare organizations. They plan a "Yappy Hour," where pups can sample the Doggie Diet while humans sip on cocktails later this month. Check back for details on location and time.
Ryan Monceaux and his trimmed-down pug, Miles.
Last call for Wooster's Garden. Photo courtesy of Wooster's Garden