When we think dog conditioning, what comes to mind is typically the show dog, agility
dogs and working dogs. However, as time goes on we see a large number of dogs do
well with conditioning outside of athletics and competition! The importance of
conditioning, especially in these cold winter months, should not be understated. Just like
in humans, dogs need exercise beyond just a walk, and conditioning is a great way to
up your pet’s quality of life.
Why is conditioning important?
Conditioning can help to reduce the risk of injury by increasing the amount of load a
dog’s muscles can take, meaning how far it can stretch or how much strain can be put
on it. Conditioning will also work less commonly used muscles that tend to be injured
when a dog slips or loses their balance. A crucial point to be made about exercise is
that it not only provides physical stimulation for our dogs, but mental stimulation as well.
Not only will this prevent boredom and unwanted behaviors, it can also help dogs work
out their energy and bond with their owners. Afterall, dogs love playtime, and making
conditioning enjoyable with lots of praise and healthy treats will turn this from work to
play!
However it is best to warm up before attempting any conditioning, and to start small.
Just a few exercises 15 minutes a day to start can be a great way to start a new routine,
as it makes sure not to place too much strain on muscles that aren’t often used. To start
warming up, it’s suggested to take a short walk, which follows up into a brisk jog before
you start. Warm ups, just like in humans, allow blood to flow and carry oxygen
throughout the body. As well, it lets your dog ramp up into more strenuous work,
preventing injury and letting our furry friends know that its time to play!
Conditioning in the winter.
Even in the winter months it’s important to keep up with conditioning. It may be cold
outside, but over time if muscles are not used they can become stiff and more
susceptible to injury. The lack of physical and mental stimulation can also cause our
pets to become bored, and even put on undesired weight. This can be done as little or
as much as each individual dog is able to handle, but should be considered all
throughout the year.
Luckily, conditioning can be done indoors as well, providing a safe and comfortable
place to exercise! Conditioning can be done with a myriad of tools, ranging from basic
household items like a low stool or a dog bed / pillow to more advanced, specialized
products made specifically for conditioning. Here are a few products we carry in store
and online.
Conditioning equipment
FitPAWS Conditioning equipment: With a wide variety or ramps, pads and boards,
FitPAWS has what it takes to be an excellent accessory to conditioning! With a focus on
balance and agility sports these products help to work on a dogs body awareness,
allowing them to practice moving in a way that is not exclusively moving forward. These
exercises include backing up, having front/hind feet on an object, high fiving and
crawling. Since dogs are not built to stand on two legs or have their legs at different
elevations from each other for long periods of time, FitPAWS makes starting out with
conditioning easy and safe.
Cato Board: Cato boards offer an all in one, easy solution to conditioning as well. The
elevated surface of the board easily communicates to dogs what they are being trained
and rewarded for, with anti-slip texturing to make conditioning on hard wood floors
easier. As well, the boards are perfect for teaching the “place” command and teaching
rear end awareness.
Overall, conditioning is important for all types of dogs, all year round, and for all owners.
While it may seem daunting at first, we have plenty of recommendations to keep the
journey safe and exciting for everyone.
