FitPAWS® Canine Conditioning Equipment Helps Prevent Injuries
Agility, Dock Dogs, Disc Dogs, Flyball…
Whatever the sport, getting injured ruins everyone’s day, if not one’s entire career.
FitPAWS® Canine Conditioning Equipment can help prevent such a tragedy.
Key: Balance
Balance is hard. Physical, mental, and emotional balance is a daily issue for us humans. Understandable for those of us who stand upright on two legs, but it’s also important for our four-legged canine companions. A real key to prevent injury is balance.
A Balanced Training Program
Start ‘Em Early
Start Your Puppy’s Training with FitPAWS® Giant Balance Disc
Beginning a traditional, hard core training program too early in a puppy’s life can actually cause trauma in the body and negatively impact a puppy’s immune system.
On the other hand, adding a FitPAWS® Giant Balance Disc to a whelping puppy pen helps the youngsters gain confidence on unstable surfaces, achieve balance, and builds body awareness and core strength. Using the Balance Disc’s sensory side up helps the puppies with grip-ability and is great for desensitizing their feet to different surfaces. The Giant Balance Disc is low to the ground, and low impact.
Our friend Robert J. Porter is documenting Lois Lane’s journey in Growing up with Lois Lane. Check out what you’ll learn in this trailer…
Growing up with Lois Lane #DVDtrailer from robpossible on Vimeo.
Built To Endure
Regularity in training prevents loss of fitness and improves performance in competitions. So, keep it regular!
Strengthening exercises that specifically target muscle groups used for a particular sport/activity helps a dog athlete to reach a level of fitness above the level needed for a great performance in competition (principle of overload). When you use FitPAWS® equipment to regularly strengthen those specific muscles, your canine athlete will be ready to perform during those high stress competitions.
Watch how our friends at X-Fit Canines are using the FitPAWS® Donut and Giant Balance Disc to perform Doggie Squats…
Building endurance in your dog not only helps them win now, but may reduce the development of osteoarthritis later.
Put The Mind Into It
Making the connection between mind and body is absolutely vital for sporting dogs!
Our new FitPAWS® Targets have already been shown to improve body awareness and mental alertness.
Check out how SuperPan further sharpens his mind using the FitPAWS® Hurdle Set and Peanut…
SuperPan, The Pan of Steel’s Disc Dog Workout from robpossible on Vimeo.
Balanced Warm-Up & Cool-Down Programs
Many have noted that there is a shortage of research proving that warm-ups and cool-downs are effective. Yet, there is something in our common sense that says, “If I feel better warming up and cooling down with each work-out, why wouldn’t my dog be the same?”
Another concern is how long and how intense a warm-up should be. It’s important that your athlete have sufficient energy and resources to perform their best. Warming up for too long might tire your dog out.
In an April 1, 2012 article entitled “Preventing Injury In Sporting Dogs,” Wendy Baltzer, DVM, PhD, DACVS wrote “moving at a walk or easy trot—for 10 to 20 minutes, is recommended to enhance muscle metabolism and shorten recovery time after exercise.”
A Balanced Life
Nutrition
Calories, carbs, fiber, protein… What is right for your dog in order to perform well in their sport? Your veterinarian is your best source for nutrition recommendations for your canine athlete.
We know we humans are more balanced when we get sufficient Omega 3 in our diet. Guess what, same with dogs!
H2O
Dehydration leads to tired muscles. Tired muscles lead to joint and muscle injuries. Make sure there is water available for your dog at all times.
Stress & Rest
During stress muscles are called on to grow stronger. Between periods of activity, that is during rest periods, muscles build. Find your dog’s ideal balance between stress and rest.
Cross-training with FitPAWS® Canine Conditioning EquipmentFitPAWS® Canine Conditioning Equipment improves reaction and control, trunk and core strength, and balance and proprioception. These tools help stabilize weak areas, and increase range of motion in joints and elongation of the muscles.
Watch how each of these FitPAWS® products can benefit your canine athlete…
We are happy to help you build a gym that is perfect for the needs of you and your inspiring canine athlete! Learn More…
