CONDITIONING……

When I first heard someone mention conditioning dogs, I must admit I was at a loss. (This lady is NOT very health minded. Other than the time I spend with my dogs, I do not routinely do any physical exercise.)  Thought to myself, “How in heavens name do you condition a dog?”  Road work? What is that? Obviously, as time went on, I learned that many handlers and owners use a treadmill or bike, or jog with their dogs to condition them.

  Any one who has been ringside during judging of Gold ens can see that some dogs seem more “fit” than others. Some seem to “wilt” in the heat, or when a judge takes the dogs around the ring several times. Granted, some lack of supposed stamina may relate to a specific dog’s personality, but without proper conditioning, it is not fair of us to expect our dogs to continue to sparkle during such workouts in the ring.

  Any vet I have visited has remarked on the muscle tone observed in my dogs. I do not own a treadmill. (Me? No way!) While I do own a bike, this lady once rode into a parked car. So, I hesitate to even consider somehow attaching my dogs to my bike! So, just what does this lazy soul do with her dogs to keep them fit and promote muscle tone?

 First of all, your vet should evaluate the overall structure and health of each dog.

You also need to consider the age of the dog and its current level of fitness. Is your dog overweight, does he appear flabby, does he tire easily? If Fido has been a resident couch potato, then obviously physical activity should start slowly and then be gradually increased. Young puppies can be introduced to activities that encourage fitness and muscle tone, but care should be taken to keep sessions short so the puppy does not over-exert himself. Activities for puppies should also be age appropriate. (For example, jumping is started with heights set at only a few inches. Not until the growth plates close at around 14 months would I even consider jumping a pup more than elbow height. Nor would I consider jogging a pup for long distances until he has physically matured. Premature exposure to such activities places too much stress on the young musculoskeletal system)

Something all of us need to do is take the time to periodically observe our dogs objectively.  Granted, Sparky may look absolutely gorgeous when he self-stacks himself in the yard. But, it is also necessary to assess both his physical and mental fitness. Can you easily feel his ribs without pressing in with your fingers? If you run your hands over his croup, can you feel his pelvic bones without pressing down?  Each pound of body weight affects every single activity. If your dog is overweight, this will definitely have an impact on his fitness. Does your dog move effortlessly, or does he lope along?  Are his eyes bright and shining? Does the tail wag frequently? Is he eager to run and play?

Building flexibility and tone requires more than just weekend workouts.  Both commitment and consistency are necessary to promote physical fitness in our dogs.  Activities that encourage such fitness and muscle tone should be started gradually. After the dog becomes accustomed to frequent and consistent exercise, you can then work to develop both strength and endurance.

  A variety of activities can prevent boredom and also serve to condition different muscle groups and promote flexibility. Varying your workouts can also provide activities that help build strength and endurance. Some specific things I do with my dogs, both inside and outside, will be discussed next month.

Pat Quinn
Everlore

Return to the Original Article

Return to the Table of Contents