…human sprinters on 100 m thoroughly prepare and activate their muscles for more than an hour before they start?
And all they have to do is run straight for a world record of 9,58 seconds!
Now imagine an obedience dog performing in this mix of endurance and explosivity type of sport after only a short walk to wee, and a couple of heelwork steps!
Looking at it from above makes it seem more like a marathon-type sport, because our dogs have to stay focused for up to 20, or more minutes, at the highest competition level. But having endurance is not all there is to it!
Obedience dogs also have to consistently carry out tasks with the utmost precision and must be prepared to accelerate from 0 to 100 with the recall, send away or retrieve!
This mix of endurance and explosivity makes obedience a tough sport! Not only do we have to make sure our dogs are in excellent physical condition, but also ensure they maintain peak mental stability and focus as well.
The warm-up not only prepares the whole body system: nervous system, cardiovascular system, metabolism, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, it also leads to an immediate improvement in performance, and helps reduce the risk of injury. To top it all off, the warm-up routine also raises mental preparation of both the dog, and the handler, and enhances our connection and focus before entering the ring.
And when you have successfully finished your competition or your training, don’t call it quits just yet! Not only it is very discouraging for the dog to be put away and ignored after a good job, a cool-down certainly serves to accelerate the recovery process, and helps the dog to relax and settle down.
Potential risks such as slippery surfaces, explosive acceleration and abrupt deceleration forces, as well as possible equipment negotiations and late handler cues that arise when things don’t go as planned, can contribute to an increased risk for injuries. Most often damaged areas include the shoulder region, toes, gastrocnemius and iliopsoas muscle.
The science-based golden rules for successful warm up of your canine athlete.
Practical part with all exercises for a complete three-dimensional routine specific for dogs participating in obedience.
Gradual decrease in activity for improved regeneration, and stretching exercises to help regain and maintain excellent mobility.
Answers to frequently asked questions, such as what to do if participating at multiple events per day, participating with multiple dogs, how to adapt the routines for group stays, in warm/cold weather, and more!
Learn how to check your canine athlete at home on a regular basis, to get first insights into your dog’s body and detect any areas of discomfort, before they turn into visible compensatory issues.
Working with canine athletes on a daily basis, not only with my own dogs, but also during my work in canine rehabilitation and physical therapy, has taught me that you, the owner, play the most important role in recognising potential discomforts in your dog’s body early on.
This is why this step-by-step guide on how to check the range of motion in your dog at home will allow you to seek the help of an ortho or physio professional if/when needed in a timely manner, and therefore tremendously contribute to your dog’s physical wellbeing and performing abilities in the long-term.
I have been an active trainer and competitor in several dog sports with my own dogs for the past 16 years.
All of this has helped me better understand their needs and just how important it is that they are well mentally prepared and in excellent physical shape.
I work in canine rehab and sports medicine where I treat and work with lots of canine athletes on a daily basis – be it Agility World Champions, other big international events competitors, or active pets alike.
I am excited and proud to share this knowledge with you!
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