Progressing your Conditioning Exercises like a Pro!
Do you know how to progress your dog's exercises? As muscles become accustomed to the demand of a work out, you’ll need to introduce new challenges to make the muscles work harder - this is known as progressive overload. By increasing the challenge to your dog's exercises you not only introduce variety to the workout but you also proof the behavior and challenge your dog physically and mentally! When talking...
Choose Exercises That Match Your Dog's Level of Fitness
"In my classes students are encouraged to ALWAYS go back to basics if your dog does not have the strength to complete the exercise or does not understand the movement needed for the exercise shown." ~Bobbie Lyons The exercises you choose for your dog should always match the dog’s level of fitness and support the movements and demands that your dog places on his body. You also have to consider...
Preventing Injuries in Canine Athletes
Many dogs engage in regular physical activity and can be considered athletes even when not competing or on active duty. Here’s how to help prevent injuries. The focus of modern healthcare is to prevent injuries and disease. Dogs, like humans, are enjoying longer active lives and many people are looking for progressive medicine that integrates a variety of care approaches for their pets throughout each stage of life. Many dogs...
VITAL VOICE: Virtual consults give you another way to help your pet without leaving home
Introducing VITAL VOICE, Vital Vet's new video series featuring interviews with leaders and experts in the field of pet rehabilitation.
Dog Sports 101: Flyball
Got a ball-crazy dog who’s smart and fast? Looking for a way to burn some of his energy and meet some people? Then we've got a sport for you! Flyball is a canine relay race in which teams of dogs take turns jumping hurdles and retrieving a tennis ball. But there's a twist: To get the tennis ball, each dog must pounce on a spring-loaded box that ejects the ball...
Stable vs. Unstable Surfaces in Dog Fitness - Is It As Beneficial As It Is Fancy-Looking?
Stable vs. unstable surfaces in dog fitness - is it as beneficial as it is fancy-looking? Who doesn't love to watch all those cool workouts performed on various unstable surfaces? But, is it as beneficial as it is fancy-looking? Again, we like to look at some facts first. Working out on UNSTABLE equipment Primarily engages core and postural muscles that help to keep the dog's body in balance. Is...
Balance and Stability Exercises for Dogs
Gyms have all sorts of balance and stability equipment these days. They may include traditional exercise balls, foam pads of all sizes, Bosu balls, and inflatable discs. Why is that? Well, balance and stability are to so important to many aspects of health for dogs and humans. It can help dogs of any age, from puppy development skills to the senior dog that has lost strength and stability from age...
Is Sloppy Sitting in Dogs Something to Worry About?
Have you ever observed your dog's posture when sitting? Standing up from an improper or poor sitting position applies greater lateral bending forces to the knees and hocks, and doesn't activate correct muscles. So how can we achieve a proper sitting position? What is a proper sitting form (right photo) The dog should: sit squarely, with hips, knees and hocks aligned nicely, legs kept close to the body, and positioned equally...