Conditioning our sporting dogs

[firefly]

Hi,

i was looking at all the dogs on the forum and just wondered how you go about conditioning your dogs and what methods you use? and how much time involved per day and any before or after pic's ?

Look forward to seeing how you do it lol

[grchmason]

I have always loved a great bit of Roadwork stimulates the mind and body of dog and owner

I do agree every dog is different and i think little and often with spring pole.... A frame.... Flirt pole etc can do wonders

Tarren

[shakkastaffs]

Like was said above a lot is down to how your dog is made up Abbey needs a lot of work put in to her. Where as rameses did it all himself.

I like to vary thier exercise. Roadwork and Ball thrower i am a big fan of. pulling a tyre on the beach flirt pole springpole biking etc.

When i am conditioning i will do 4-8 miles per day road walking, then later in the day either some flirt pole pulling or biking changing everyday to keep it fresh and keep them interested.

I have a scooter Abbey can pull me along the promanade on too but ive only used it once because i just aquired it.

[nosurrender]

The key to any conditioning is to make it fun for all involved. If you condition the same way day in day out within time most involved will become board. Some dogs as with humans love exercise and are easy to motivate so what works good for one dogs keep is not always successful for another. I have had dogs over the years who would not entertain a treadmill when on there own yet get another male out his run and he will run all day just so the other dog cant get on, they are all different so you have to get to know your dog and what works best for him
Hope this helps
NS

[.. Paul ..]

the key word.....Running...... make ur dog run. weather it be on bike/treadmill/flirt/lunge whip/ball throwing etc etc. i think u have to raise their heart rate the same as humans. a human cant condition by just walking at slow pace we have to run. a dog can walk all day every day at human pace. but running is a differant story. i had a great thought the other day an tried it this morning. i took a stop watch out and everytime fergiie and lady ran i started stop watch. 3hours later on the field with her friend they had ran for 2hrs an 22mins. an still pulled me home. so my veiw is elevate their heart rate an change what u do. could u imagine goin gym every day an going on treadmill for 3 hours BORING. varity is the key. i would also say that a dogs food plays a big part in condition too. u need to find the right type of food for ur dog. no point on conditioning ur dog if its on bakers complete/pedegree chump etc etc. u need working dog food that has a good balance of proteins and fats. anyone will do as its down to how much money u have to. a 15kg will last about a month with one dog ranging from 6 quid right up to an above 66 quid. anyways hope this is what ur looking for,

Cheers

[terryandbuster]

I'm new to dog Conditioning ;D As i have not gone all out with buster yet.

He will be starting agility soon, This thread is great reading really enjoying this i will be taking notes

Cheers everyone

[justin]

Great read this

Thanks

[steveo]

We do alot ov drag pulling to condition our dogs 2/3 times a week then Cart work at the week ends

[spike]

Feb 25, 2010 17:09:37 GMT -5 steveo said:

We do alot ov drag pulling to condition our dogs 2/3 times a week then Cart work at the week ends

you can't beat a bit of drag weight

[bob]

There are many ways to condition the dogs.I enjoy good old fashioned road walking if im not working them on the lamp or a bit of bushing in the day.
Now and then i will do some flirt pole and ball work from the top of a good hill.
keeping the fun element is key i think for dog and owner.

[redrose]

I agree with all the above.... I love spending time with my Dog, his key excersize when fit is running, i attach a lead around my waist and he has a harness on and we go road running 3 times a week for about 5 miles, he pulls me all the way round, sometimes we take a break, he goes swimming allot and i also fing a good steep hill, he loves sticks to death no mater where i throw 1 he will go get it...... And i always end a run with 5 mins of play with a massive stick or a traffic cone i have at my house.... hahaha

[firefly]

Thanks for all your great info its great to see everyones technicks

atb

[Jessica]

Great thread this Hearing everyones tips lol

Keep it coming people

Phil.

[orangepeel]

I personally believe its better to alternate anaerobic and aerobic work, running on a constent hill one night for wind and stamina followed by anaerobic work on the second night with high intensity drag pull, building latic resistance and fast twitch fibers. Repeat the areobic night on the third night and then a days rest(just a walk) on the fourth. Repeat the programme. I think this can be used all year round peaking 2 weeks before performance comps and right up to 2 days before conformation shows allowing energy levels to peak before the day.

[nosurrender]

Most people can get a dog in half decent condition as a lot of it common sense, exercise and food intake. But to condition for sport is a different kettle of fish.
For starters genetics are a major factor, if your dog has poor genetics then you will never get to the next level.
Food is also key factor, what, when, and quality. If you are feeding poor quality food how can you expect the right results. People go out buy a dog spend silly money on it then feed it shite. Or there is the owner who puts no time and effort in but half starves his dog thinking thats how to get it ready for sport.
And last but not least comitment, to do the job properly takes time and effort on your part