April is National Canine Fitness Month! What is Canine fitness? Why am I so passionate about it?
You may have seen articles, facebook post, or seminars on canine fitness. What is it? Why would my dog want to take a fitness class or even go to a Certified Canine Fitness Trainer?
Fitness by definition is the condition of being physically fit and healthy. But what is that?
A second definition is the quality of being capable to fulfill a particular role or task. For a dog that is being able to compete in agility or be a happy pet chasing the ball.
The third definition is an organism’s ability to survive in a particular environment.
This relates to dogs as, in the wild they relied on great body awareness to hunt or fight so their muscles engaged to catch prey or defend their family. Today they don’t have much body awareness to sleep on the bed or couch 5 to 7 days a week. This results in less body awareness to engage their core and leg muscles therefore increasing the risk of injury when catching a fresbie or chasing a ball. When your dog runs after a ball or to catch a Frisbee in the air, their body spins and twist in different directions. If there muscles are trained to handle the speed and spins they will safely grab the ball or catch the Frisbee. You can read more about this in my post “proprioception what is it?”
When we think of our fitness it brings up images of the gym, outdoor activities, or working with a trainer for a specific sport purpose. Canine fitness can also be a way to improve muscle, tendon, and nerve health so your dog can function at the highest health capacity during your favorite activities. A Certified Canine Fitness Trainer has the skills to help your dog improve their strength, flexibility, cardio, and mental alertness. It is important to research who is training your dog and listen to your dog as you work with a trainer. If you dog loves going then keep on going. If not then you may want to reassess the program.
It fills my heart with passion to talk about the benefits of a creative, fun exercise plan for your pup and you to bond. In the 70s and 80s I taught my dogs to sit, down, and shake because it was fun time with my dog. I did not realize I was also teaching them body awareness. As a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner since 2012, I have seen the various injuries that can occur during innocent ball throwing. The biggest impact owners can do for their dogs are simple daily exercise plan to strengthen up their muscles, tendons, and nerves to prevent injury on the weekend, working, or in competition. As a Certified Canine Fitness Trainer since 2016, I love working with a dog to help them become strong and confident in their body so when they catch the ball or freisbe they engage their core and leg muscles. I love watching a dog engage their core appropriately! It sounds crazy. I love watching the owners have more peace and joy when their dog is happy and healthy.
3 tips you can do right now to improve your dog body awareness:
- A quick couple minute warmup before ball or Frisbee play taking a quick brisk walk over different terrain to wake the body up, stimulate the nerves, and improve muscle reaction time.
- A few repeated sit, down, to stand will warm up key muscles they use to play ball or catch the Frisbee.
- Throwing the ball or Frisbee straight to limit the amount of twisting they have to do while in action to catch the toy.
Check out “Canine fitness workout to reduce injury” post for more simple daily tips. Connect with us to create a plan for your dog, take one of our classes, or join our doggie fitness park for you and your pup to live a long happy life.
Leave us a comment on how these tips have changed you and your dogs life.
