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Do you warm up and stretch your dog before/after activities????
I am curious to know how many of you warm up your dog before going for a run, doing flyball, agility, throwing a ball in the back yard etc. If you do, what things do you do to warm them up and for how long???
In that respect, how often do you stretch them and do you do it before or after exercise. Let it be known that you should NEVER stretch cold muscles.
I am just curious what the average dog owner does. I teach core strengthening for dogs and am finding that most owners/handlers have never given it a thought. Some of you out there are probably teaching exercises that increase muscle tone and endurance in your dog without knowing it.
In that respect, how often do you stretch them and do you do it before or after exercise. Let it be known that you should NEVER stretch cold muscles.
I am just curious what the average dog owner does. I teach core strengthening for dogs and am finding that most owners/handlers have never given it a thought. Some of you out there are probably teaching exercises that increase muscle tone and endurance in your dog without knowing it.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lindsay on -
When I take the dogs hiking or running, I walk them for 5-10 min. to get them slowly warmed up. If we're hiking, it's pretty much whatever pace they want to set after that as they are usually both off leash. I'm getting ready to do some conditioning work with Heffner for skijoring and for some of that I'll have him going along with me on the bike. For that I do 10 min. of walking, then 5 min. of jogging speed, and a maintained faster speed after that for whatever distance I'm shooting for. Cool downs are walking for 10 min. or until he's not panting any more. I haven't done any actual stretching with him, but I definitely should start doing that.
With Bess, about an hour before we go in the ring (depending on how early we get to the show site) I've started playing with her and riling her up. Playing tug a bit and just running around like crazy (usually on grass if I can find it). Then it's walking for a litte bit to settle her down. About 10 min. before we actually go in the ring I take her out and gait her a little bit. But again, I haven't really done any stretching. I think that's the area that I'm missing with both dogs.
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Permalink Reply by Bobbie Lyons on -
Linds, lets talk about this at the seminar and I will give you some great stretches to do with them standing and laying down. You can also do the stretches (if they let you) on the ball.
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Permalink Reply by Rose and Alfie on -
Before we go to the park, for a jog, or anything that will require us to be out a long time I just walk Alfie for a few minutes to give him a warm up.
When we get home I do what I call "doggy yoga" lol. I stretch his little legs and massage his leg and back. He LOOOOOOOOOOOOVES it. I'm not sure how much it helps him but he just lays there and loves it. :)
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Permalink Reply by Bobbie Lyons on
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Awesome, good for you. Most people don't think that dogs need to care for their muscles the same as we do.
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Permalink Reply by Sunday (craziest get a straight jacket dog/cat person) on -
What about daycare? Can you teach my employees and I how to warm up a dog before play? I have never seen a dog limp away from boarding/daycare play but it sounds like a good idea. Some of the younger ones run all over the place! We give them all a good massage about mid-day before our unrequired nap time.
Sunday
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Permalink Reply by Bobbie Lyons on
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Sunday, I can definitely show you some fun tricks you can teach them that will help warm up their bodies before play. I called you today and left a message. Call me so we can talk.
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Permalink Reply by Sunday (craziest get a straight jacket dog/cat person) on
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I was very busy today. Do you do weekend seminars? Like Sat or Sun afternoon? Are you looking to pick up more clients. I need a trainer to take on my Milwaukie store. I am booked out with 3 aggression and as of today 10 service dogs.
Thank you so much for responding, I look forward to speaking with you.
Sunday
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Permalink Reply by Bobbie Lyons on
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Sunday, I mostly do my training on weekends as I work a full time job in addition to dog training. Let talk though about what you other needs are. Maybe we can get together for lunch or something
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