Conditioning

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Phebe*DD

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Besides running agility, what kind of conditioning do you do with your dog to improve performance and prevent injury?

I've spent the last 2 months rehabbing Phebe from a bout of biceps tendonitis and other various strains that developed as a result. I feel like I learned so much from the physical therapy vet and am continuing with massage sessions and the exercises. I've also added some hill work to help with core strength and we're signed up for a core conditioning class that starts after Thanksgiving.
 
Haha you know that you and I are in the same boat.

We now spend a lot more time conditioning and rehabbing than we do actually doing agility. In retrospect, I think that's how it should be. You are lucky that they offer a conditioning class at your facility, I wish there was something like that around here.

Things that I do:
  • Ball work
  • Rear end strengthening/awareness
  • Cavelletti
  • Random other leg strengthening exercises
  • 20 minute walks 2 x per day
  • Chiro visits at least twice a month

I'd like to add some more hill work in, but we've honestly not had time!

I'd be curious what kind of massages you learned--that wasn't part of any of our rehab schedule
 
Swimming in the summer, running, on the ball work.
We also stretch pre and post run, and massage. I am also looking to get back on track coats to help warm their muscles.
 
Perfect timing for this post - I just realized yesterday I've been focusing WAY too much on the mechanics, and not enough on conditioning.

During the summer we do quite a bit of swimming, but it's harder to condition the dogs in the fall/winter spring. We're continuously doing rear end awareness work, so it's more overall conditioning I'm looking for. I've just purchased "Get on the Ball 2". We do a lot of jump grid work already, and we've just started hills. I throw the ball down the hill, and Starr has to bring it back up to me. We go for a 35 minute walk at least once a day, and I often bring them to an off-leash walking trail as well and we go for a 30 minute walk there.

This winter I'm hoping to take them with me when I go snowshoeing - I figure jumping through the deep snow will be great for conditioning.
 
corbinam said:
I'd like to add some more hill work in, but we've honestly not had time!

I'd be curious what kind of massages you learned--that wasn't part of any of our rehab schedule.
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Hill work is so easy. There's a nearby park that has a great grass-covered bowl. I stand at either the top or the bottom of the bowl and toss the frisbee or ball, up or down. Phebe loves it.

Massage is very simple. I use a pad that you heat in the microwave. I got mine at Walgreens. It's filled with clay that retains heat (or cold) and has a cloth cover.

With Phebe laying on her side, I place the pad on her shoulder for 3-5 minutes. Then, I start at the top of her shoulder and massage with a kneading motion all the way to the tips of her toes and back up again. You don't need to try for deep tissue massage, but it is important to go down and then up to help move any waste material in the muscles back toward the lymph system, since the lymph system is gravity driven. After the massage, then we do passive range of motion with that leg -- support the elbow or knee, flex and hold for 5 count, extend and hold for 5 count (10 reps).

While I'm massaging her shoulder I put the pad on her hip and rear leg, and then massage that area. I also do some light massage of the iliopsoas (groin) muscle after I've warmed that area, I put the pad on the iliopsoas while I'm massaging the hip and rear leg. Flip her to the other side and do the same. Then, I stand her up and massage her spine by placing my thumbs on either side of her back bone and massaging in small circles. I usually start at the neck and work my way to her tail.

After the massage, we do some nose to rear foot stretches, 5 reps each side (use a treat), and some cross leg stretches front and rear, 5 reps each foot.

I do feel fortunate to train at a place that offers conditioning classes. They've also had a PT vet give workshops on physiology and massage. Maybe if you asked your instructors they might consider doing something like that. The PT vet we use has a non-profit foundation that helps dogs who need major surgery and rehab, so we did the seminar as fundraiser for the foundation. I think we paid $25 to attend a 2 hour session.
 
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I don't have a specific routine, but the dogs get massages (from people who know how coz I probably won't do a decent job!) and go to the beach (I wish I could take them more often).

I do recalls over the sand (usually quite sloped) and encourage Juliet to chase Romeo and play. :biggrin2: And of course, the swimming!
 
I know this sounds terrible, but nothing. There's no way he would let me massage him while at a show. He's WAY too ramped up. I can't even pet his head if we're within 50 feet of the ring. We do some practice jumps and some sits, downs and stays. That's about all he can handle without coming unglued.
 
ortegah said:
I know this sounds terrible, but nothing. There's no way he would let me massage him while at a show. He's WAY too ramped up. I can't even pet his head if we're within 50 feet of the ring. We do some practice jumps and some sits, downs and stays. That's about all he can handle without coming unglued.
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I understand that--I don't do a lot at a show either. Probably just a good bit of stretching (doesn't require much thinking on her part, just reaching for treats!) and then some warming up by walking, jogging, running and jumping.
 
Well....with my crew we do a lot of mountain hiking here in Idaho in the spring/summer/fall....they love it as do I.

In the summer, swimming as well.

Winter....walks. They aren't into the snowshoeing/cross country skiing much:lol:

throughout the year we do a lot of jump sequences indoor and outdoor.
 
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