YOUR DOG'S BEST LIFE

Everything your dog needs to live a happy and active life.

  • Club Services

    • Daycare
    • Overnight
    • Pricing
    • Become a Member
  • Dog Training & Sports

    • Dog Training
    • Training Partners
    • Set up Consultation
    • Group Classes
    • Book Classes Online

Login Club Services

Login Sports & Training

About
Blog: Off the Leash
Questions? Let’s Talk!
contact@fitdog.com (310) 828 - 3647
Follow us on Social Media:
Login: Daycare/Boarding
Login: Training/Classes
  • Beat Boredom
    • Enrichment
    • Exercise
      • Hiking
      • Running
  • Caring for Dog
    • Boarding
    • Daycare / Pet Sitting
    • Grooming
    • Products & Gear
  • Dog Training
    • Puppy
  • Dog-Friendly
    • Events
    • Holidays
      • Christmas
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Valentine's Day
    • Local
    • Recipes
    • Travel
  • Health & Wellness
    • Food & Diet
    • Safety
  • Just for Fun
    • Gifts
    • Sincerely, Fitdog
      • Press
    • Spotlight
    • Trends
(310) 828 - 3647

An Interview With Fitdog’s Co-Founder

For dogs, sports promote health and happiness

Collapse

Related Posts:

Spending the Holidays with Fitdog
November 13, 2023
COVID-19: Fitdog Updates
March 19, 2020
Meet the Women of Fitdog!
March 08, 2023
Help us collect 2020 lbs. during our pet food drive!
November 11, 2019
Scent Work provides mind games for the nosey hound
October 21, 2019
8 things you didn’t know about corgis
April 05, 2019
Fitdog of the Month Hall of Fame
February 01, 2021
Meet Dash! Our Fitdog of the Month for August 2025
August 02, 2025
Stop what you’re doing and watch Kitbull, Pixar’s new short
February 28, 2019
Dog’s Day Out takes rescue dogs on their best day ever
February 20, 2019
Why we should be thankful for all types of service dogs
October 18, 2024
Cardio Tricks Class – Interview with the Trainer!
September 25, 2018
Your summer in doggy memes!
August 17, 2018
National Mutt Day: Why mutts are awesome!
July 31, 2018
Staying safe on off-leash hikes
June 21, 2018
Transformation Story: Mack
June 08, 2018
Fitdog Five: Five ways you can help shelter pets beyond adopting
April 27, 2018
For homeless pets, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is a vital second chance
April 24, 2018
How to make your dog’s training last
January 25, 2018
How a thwarted snow day at Mount Baldy made our pack grow closer
June 12, 2019
How pop culture has influenced our understanding of dogs
January 12, 2018
Why we’re thankful for dogs
November 21, 2019
Life with a senior dog
November 07, 2017
The difference between obedience and behavioral training
October 26, 2017
Meet our staff: Felipe Avalos
June 02, 2017
Meet our Trainers: Rhonda Feinberg
March 29, 2017
Meet our trainers: Jeff Soto
February 24, 2017
Complete Guide to Fitdog Group Classes
January 06, 2020
Categories:
  • Sincerely, Fitdog
  • Spotlight

Since Fitdog’s conception, it has been the company’s goal to offer easily accessible sports activities for all dogs. In October 2018, we launch an online platform that allows owners to conveniently book sports-based training, classes, and excursions for their dog. We sat down with Fitdog’s co-founder, Andrea Servadio, to talk about the platform and how she hopes to revolutionize dog care.

FD: What inspired you to create this new format of booking dog sports classes?

AS: Our Jack Russell is super active and smart. We noticed early on that he required a lot of mental engagement in order to be entertained (and to keep him from digging up and eating our furniture). At the time, we looked into earth dog courses for him, but the classes were so far away. Plus in order to participate, you had to become a member of the American Kennel Club and compete in the sport. We just wanted him to be able to dig holes and have fun.

Since then, I’ve always wanted to create sports classes that were easily accessible to dog owners. Just like how gym classes work for people, you don’t have to compete in boxing in order to participate in the sport; you attend a recreational exercise boxing class instead. Now we can offer that same service for dogs.

Meet Andrea, Fitdog's Co-Founder | Fitdog Sports Los Angeles Hiking Daycare Boarding Grooming and Training

FD: Why do dogs need fitness classes?

AS: Dogs were bred to work. Up until the 1950s, it was common for them to work on farms or spend most of their time outside. But now, dogs are mostly companion animals that spend long periods of time home alone while their owners work. While dog walking and daycare help to an extent, it’s still not offering dogs the interaction and exercise they need.

Our classes give dogs the opportunity to learn new skills, exercise in new ways, and experience new things. It opens a whole world of possibilities for them. They come home tired and fulfilled because they just spent the day working with their mind and body.

FD: How do owners benefit from Fitdog Sports?

AS: We created the idea for dogs, but owners benefit just as much. Fitdog sports gives owners the tools to improve the overall mental health of their dog. Classes ease anxiety, reduce depression, and stop destructive behaviors caused by boredom. This, in turn, means owners have a better behaved and happier dog at home. Owners should not have to put their dog on Prozac or spend thousands of dollars on training when all their dog needs is a more stimulating and varied lifestyle.

FD: How does the app work? 

AS: The app platform allows owners to easily book their dogs in sports classes online and choose pick-up and drop-off locations. We can pick dogs up and drop them off anywhere – home, work, daycare, boarding, pet sitter, etc. The best part is that owners do not attend the classes. So dogs can attend classes regardless of what the owner is doing. It’s a huge upgrade from dog walking.

FD: What kinds of dogs can sign up for sports classes?

AS: All dogs can sign up for sports classes. Generally speaking, treat-driven dogs will enjoy all classes and learn new skills. For sports classes that are designed based on a breed-specific sport, like mushing, dogs with those innate abilities will adapt and pick up those skills quicker than other breeds.

FD: How do you decide which classes to create? 

AS: We get inspiration from existing dog sports and work with certified dog trainers to transform them into recreational classes.

FD: How do you find sports leaders and trainers?

AS: We don’t allow self-enrollment. Instead, we actively recruit our instructors. We require they have experience working with dogs or have proper training certifications to lead a class. After we determine that they are qualified, they go through an interview process, reference checks, and background checks.

FD: In an ideal world, what kind of life does each dog lead?

AS: My hope is that dog owners see the importance of giving their dog a varied schedule and work with companies like Fitdog to create the perfect mix of activities and exercise for their dog. Each week is something different and exciting, and solutions like Prozac and calming products become a thing of the past.

RELATED: Listen to Andrea’s Blog Talk Radio interview and learn all about how Fitdog got started!

Sign Up!

To get started, owners create an account for themselves and their dog and then sign up for a hike or class assessment. Every dog is assessed for temperament and sociability at home and for recall out on the trail. The assessment is scheduled between 7 am and 9 am before the Canyon Hike. After the assessment, dogs get an access level based on their recall skills and owners can book classes from there!

Want to learn more? Discover group classes here!

Fitdog Los Angeles | Dog Daycare + Sports

Last updated on 1/26/2020

Fitdog Logo
Angela Brittain

Angela was raised in Las Vegas and lives in Los Angeles. She specializes in creative production and film photography.

Last updated on January 26, 2020
What’s next?
Fitdog 2020 Valentines to Benefit Guidry’s Guardian Foundation

This year, Fitdog is celebrating love by creating custom valentines featuring your dog! Valentine's are $10 and 100% of proceeds will go to Guidry's Guardian Foundation. Guidry's Guardian's mission is simple. "We provide financial assistance to individuals and organizations...

read more
More from Off The Leash:
Ways to Help Those Impacted by Los Angeles Fires
January 09, 2025
Top 5 Myths About Separation Anxiety in Dogs
March 12, 2024
Mysterious Dog Illness: Everything you need to know
November 23, 2023
More Fitdog
Fitdog Home
Blog: Off the Leash
About
Employment
Contact Us
Club Services
  • Daycare
  • Overnight
  • Pricing
  • Become a Member
Training & Sports
  • Dog Training
  • Group Classes
  • Book Classes Online
  • Set up a Training Consultation
Located at 1712 21st Street, Santa Monica, CA

Transportation available in Santa Monica, Mar Vista, Palms, Cheviot Hills, West LA, Venice, Marina Del Rey, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades

In home training available throughout Los Angeles

Follow us:

contact@fitdog.com
(310) 828 - 3647
Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions
© 2018-2023 Fitdog. All Rights Reserved.
Designed and Developed by
Employment Inquiry
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
What position are you applying for? *
Select your highest level of education *
Let us know about your animal experience (Select any that apply) *
Please do not include care or training of your own dog or pet.
Are you at least 18 years old? *
Do you have a California driver's license? *
How did you learn about Fitdog? *
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
(pdf, doc, png, jpeg, jpg up to 1MB)
Loading