Canine Fitness Training

So what is canine fitness training?

These are specialized exercises, which target specific muscle groups and are adapted to the age, physical condition and needs of each animal. We start with an assessment of his physical condition, after informing the treating veterinarian about what we intend to do and if we have his consent, we proceed to the creation of an exercise program that is done with the owner several times a week. These are either aerobic and anaerobic exercises, which are adapted to the daily program of the walk and the time of the meal or for a more intensive training that is addressed to groups of special requirements. The first results are immediately visible, the muscular system of a healthy dog ​​"reacts" and the muscle mass grows quickly. The long-term benefits, as in humans, of course require perseverance and patience!

Where is it intended?

Scientific research has shown that fitness and proper morphology affect performance, gait and the reason the animal's body moves the way it moves. We can not intervene in the right morphology, but with targeted exercise we can improve strength and flexibility, stabilize weak muscles, increase range of motion, reduce the chance of injury, and help injured muscles and joints return to normal. their condition, after injuries and surgeries. In cases of musculoskeletal problems we build a strong muscular system that will help the animal to walk and maintain its mobility.

My dog ​​is not an athlete, why do I need exercise?

This is the first thing most people think, but it could not be less true. If we think about it compared to humans, exercise is not beneficial, nor is it necessary only for athletes and champions. So in our case, it is aimed at dogs of all breeds and all stages of life.

• In our pets: Dogs are born to "work" for a living, but our living conditions force them to adapt to a more sedentary lifestyle, where food comes from the bowl and they spend many hours alone or in confinement. . This usually leads to behavioral problems, because there is no way out for their energy and physical behaviors (digging, barking, running). Aerobic exercise helps to secrete endorphins that reduce stress, as well as to release accumulated energy. Combined with ten minutes of targeted exercise a day, our pets relax both physically and mentally, strengthen the bond with the owner because we spend quality time with them doing something fun for them, frequent rewards increase self-confidence in insecure and phobic dogs , we control their weight and maintain their physical condition and flexibility.

• For weekend athletes: Due to time and daily routine, on weekends we will take our dogs to the mountains for hiking, to the sea or maybe to do some amateur sports. This leads to overwork, muscles that the rest of the time we have not properly prepared to cope with intense activity without injury.

• In puppies: Low-intensity exercises are done safely, taking into account their age and stage of development, thus building their muscular system from an early age, strengthening the trunk and preventing injuries. It is also particularly useful in cases of weak fingers or metacarpals.

• In older dogs: Due to age, muscle mass in the hind legs and shoulders tends to be lost. With specific exercises we can help maintain it, thus keeping our dog agile and in the best possible physical condition.

• In dogs morphology: A training program helps to improve gait and gait, increases range of motion and lengthens muscles, improves the backline (topline), as well as stacking. Starting with the puppies, we can achieve the best results for the correct pressing (tarsus and metacarpal inclination) and to improve to some extent the rattlesnake and the blindfold.

•• In working dogs: In this category we include dogs that do search and rescue, hunting, herding or some sport, such as agility, IPO, Mondioring, Flyball, etc. Depending on the job, we focus on specific muscle groups and specific requirements. A multi-activity workout aims to build strength, flexibility and fitness, as well as improve resilience, that is, the sense of movement of the body, the sense of awareness of the muscles and the perception of their functions by the dog and in general knowledge of where and how the body is in space and how it moves in it. The training program includes aerobic and anaerobic exercises, warm-up and stretching and as a whole improves the physical condition, so that the dog can cope with the needs of his work without injuries and with the maximum possible performance.

In summary, the best treatment is health prevention and exercise, combined with a balanced diet is one of the ways we as dog owners offer our animals the best possible quality of life, for as long as possible. time