Strength Training and Conditioning Tips?
**I know this can be a controversial subject. So, for the record, I want to make sure it is clear that we consider Kona's health [mental and physical] to be the most important thing and would not do anything to jeopardize it.**
As you guys know we pack with Kona. I have also started to do some pulling [mushing] work with him too. He is an amazing athlete and has great muscle tone and definition. He also has amazing endurance.
The only place I would like to see improvement is in his chest, I would like him to "fill out" a bit more in his chest. I have been told, by a trusted resource who wouldn't abuse their dogs in any way, that weight pulling can help to do this. I think this would help him in mushing as well.
So, I curious if anyone has done any type of weight pull strength training about with their dogs or knows of any good [safe] methods/resources. I'm also curious to hear your opinions and thoughts on the subject.
*Please note: I am not looking to have him pull 2500lb or anything, I am interested in conditioning and not so much body-builder strength training.
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As you guys know we pack with Kona. I have also started to do some pulling [mushing] work with him too. He is an amazing athlete and has great muscle tone and definition. He also has amazing endurance.
The only place I would like to see improvement is in his chest, I would like him to "fill out" a bit more in his chest. I have been told, by a trusted resource who wouldn't abuse their dogs in any way, that weight pulling can help to do this. I think this would help him in mushing as well.
So, I curious if anyone has done any type of weight pull strength training about with their dogs or knows of any good [safe] methods/resources. I'm also curious to hear your opinions and thoughts on the subject.
*Please note: I am not looking to have him pull 2500lb or anything, I am interested in conditioning and not so much body-builder strength training.
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Comments
As food for thought, is Kona a good swimmer? Maybe you can have him do swimming to get his conditioning up and it would be much easier on joints.
Jesse
Now seriously, swimming could be a real option, if he's not afraid of water or anything of the sort. I guess right now it's not doable though.
For weight pulling, I'm sure you have this covered, but get him a good harness, that won't put added stress on his chest and shoulders. If you need to have something on your property "plowed", maybe Kona could do it. Not a real plow, like the ones horses pull because I'm guessing that would be too much for him, at least to start with, but something anchor-like that will resist his pull a bit.
Just a question, Kona's still pretty young right? Maybe he'll fill out a bit more on his own?
Swimming is a GREAT idea - thanx! I will look into places that might let me do that.
As for weight pulling, I am not interested in competing or anything and I don't want him to pull massive amounts of weight. I am more interested in endurance type conditioning... maybe I should have him pull smaller amounts of weight for longer distances. hmm.
I have seen some weight pull competition videos, it's pretty amazing how much dogs can pull. Some of the techniques are pretty cruel tho [like using compulsion training techniques to get them to pull].
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I'm thinking those Alaskans and Canadians (and maybe some Minnesotans) who raise sled dogs with visions of the Iditarod could have some ideas for you on this question. Check for a Website, or know someone with sled doggies to ask for advice?
I know Josephine has lots and lots of energy ... I am astounded at her speed when she thinks there a partridge or a rabbit to be had, even in the deep snow more than chest deep. And her endurance is incredible --- her speed was amazing after being outdoors with us for a couple hours slogging through the deep snow (mostly she was ahead of us, not following in our snowshoe tracks). We have not had any sort of a pack on her, or tried the skijoring, etc. But the skijoring might be a way to start working on his strength training --- if you don't know about it, it is kind of a variation on the idea above. The difference is that you are on skis (cross-country, not downhill or snowboards), and so Kona has some help with pulling the weight. Its pretty popular here in MN and you can find some Internet information about it (obviously the perfect time of year for that with the snow at your elevation).
I also think that just going through the deep snow with you (perhaps you on snowshoes or skis, and he has no weight, nor is he "tethered" to you as in skijoring) would build up a huge amount of strength all throughout his body because of the snow depth and the need to work all his muscles just to break a trail.
As you and others indicated, I would use caution --- Kona is still young ang grwoing --- go slowly with regard to weight and duration! It is amazing what a 40-50 pound dog can accomplish and the amazing stamina!
Best of luck with the "buffing up" of Kona... Can't wait to see the pics!
This first one is meant for pointing breeds. I think his method might be a bit "controversial" in that he..."roads" his dogs.
This second one is meant for Pit Bulls. I think this article makes a little more sense.
Hope that was some kind of help. I can deffinitely say I've added a bit more knowledge to my repertoire though lol ~
Jesse
What about taking Kona rollerblading? While I have never done this, I have seen many people working their dogs out in this manner. People say that it works out great for their dogs endurance.
Or maybe wagon pulling, with adding a bit of weight each day?
If you want to maximize endurance, bike Kona. You can have him trot beside the bike or with appropriate equipment (harnesses and ganglines) he can pull.
See www.dogscooter.com
I attended a cross-training class for athletic dogs (herders/agility) and we did a bunch of stuff with the inflatable physioballs, bosu balls, tilt boards etc. There were core strengthening exercises (no joke!) and other exercises designed to increase flexibility and prevent injury. Proprioceptive skills and body awareness type stuff (some dogs are clueless that they actually have a rear end!)
Kinda fun...I took it mostly for my own interest and Triepak was happy to try anything that involved chicken. I will have to rummage around for my notes, but I can get you further details if you are interested.
My friend has a pitbull that he ties to a cinder block and he just pulls that thing around, it's pretty funny.
I have pulling and mushing harnesses for Kona, Loa, and Ahi. I also have all the skijoring equipment except for Skis. lol. I plan to buy some skis this year, tho it will depend on $$$ since we have a lot of fence work to do this year [$$$$$$$$].
I also have been thinking of getting the attachment for my bike that will allow Kona to run next to me, I plan to do that when the snow is gone.
I LOVE rollerblading, but that's a no-go around here. There are very few paved roads that are safe to Rollerblade on.
I have also considered getting a used Mountain Board that I would ride while the pups pulled me - that would be a more all terrain solution for me. I just have never done that before and may end up braking myself [I am 31 now]. lol.
So that is really my issue, I can't mush Kona right now due to not having skis, not being able to bike, and etc. So I wanted some type of exercise I could do with him during the "down time" we have right now - something that would keep him in shape and maybe even add a bit of endurance, strength, and core conditioning on him.
Sarah - Is this the type of thing you did? I was reading that article last night, it looked very interesting. If you have any other info like this I would be interested in reading about it! Thanx!
Anyway, I think you guys have really helped me - I will continue my research and will keep you posted on the results.
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For conditioning, you can try the flirt pole with a bungee in it. I talked about how I made one of those somewhere... or a tug-toy attached from an over-hang with a bungee.
Not to be too serious, but that rig didn't really look like a good idea. Did you notice how the dogs were both sorta pulling away the whole time? I don't think they were all that comfortable being so close to the wheels. Good idea, poor execution.
Anyway, variation on the theme --- we took Josephine out on a paved bike trail out in the country one day when she was just under a year. We found that she was content to trot or gallup, in front of us, leading the way, all the way! Much to our surprise, she kept it up for about 6 miles, almost non-stop! I admit it --- she was off-leash, and she was only distracted a couple times when she flushed birds up that were close to the trail.
Anyway, so I think for the most part the doggies will be delighted with some walk or run involving you, the owner, and some hard work for them. I shared this post with my husband, and he reiterated the idea of going for a walk through the deep snow (at least 18 inches or so), and if there is anything for the dog to flush up or focus on he will build all kinds of strength and endurance plowing throught that snow without any other "aids" or weights. I'd advise the snowshoes for that one!
I tried it out at the dog show at a mushing booth and it rocked. Downside is the cost, about $450-$550 but it seems to be worth it. The harnesses are the cheap part. You have to get the right size harness or the dog will get rib bruises and bone bruising on the shoulder blades. The traditional x back sled racing harness is good if the dog is the same height as where he is attached to and if the gang-line isn't going to be pulled up or down. The other square/trail harness are better if the dog will be pulling at an angle, the gangline goes up, like if it was attached to your waist or scooter and the dog was a smallish dog.
I am using old bicycle tires on Beebe, she has a trail harness and drags some tires around on walks attached to a gangline. Not all the time. I'm sure there is a science to it that I don't yet know. I got a crappy little Diggler that she (tries) to pull, bless her, but she is more interested in looking for vermin. Before you get them pulling, it's easier if you have the dog trained to some verbal commands, like "Line out", "walk on/on by" and "gee" or "haw". I had reservations about conditioning Ike and Beebe on a treadmill as it only teaches them one movement, so I like the idea of cross training better. Ike also needs to develop his chest, I'm hoping some uphill running, agility and mild pulling will help. So far until I buy the Pawtrekker, the tires are better than nothing.
Side note: when I was growing up, we used to harness our dogs to a cart and they occasionally hauled our wood for us.