Helping your dog to be fully functional in whatever the chosen lifestyle, is one of the best gifts you can give your dog and your relationship. The benefits are many including physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, working together as a team and reducing the risk of injury in daily activities and/or sports. Additionally, training your dog in strength, conditioning and fitness will improve your skills as a trainer.

First let’s take a look at what is required for basic fitness training. Not unlike other activities, this will require a dog who can focus on the task and want to work with you. Food motivation is key, toy motivation is also an asset. Fitness training is hard work both mentally and physically, so a high rate of reinforcement is required to keep your dog motivated to play, along with a trusting and a positive working relationship. Short training sessions in the learning stages are more beneficial than longer sessions, as true with most training activities.
Does your dog need more focus? More confidence? Do you need to improve your working relationship? A dedicated fitness program can get you there!

I break fitness programs into 2 types of sessions for my students: 1)Learning Sessions, for the purpose of training new skills. 2) Workout Sessions, where fluent skills are put to use in actual strength and conditioning exercises. I stress the importance of keeping these sessions separate.

Observation skills, communication and relationship: To be effective and safe, fitness skills require precision in the best form possible. Learning to recognize what this looks like in your individual dog is key. There are subtle signs of fatigue, mental and physical, which must be honored. In this relationship based approach you become keenly aware of your dog’s communication and how to appropriately respond in their best interest. This builds trust.

Dog’s Choice: “Opt-In” or “Start Button” behaviors are great to have on board in all training programs. Fitness training is no different. We must honor our dog’s willingness and ability to participate. This is also part of building trust. It is up to us to make fitness training desirable, safe and fun so our dog chooses to participate. We want a happy dog who enjoys the process!

Trainer Skills: Proper use of luring, shaping, targeting, marker/reward systems and clear communication all come into play here! The better your trainer skills are, the more precise and effective your training will be! This is key to fitness work.

I introduce all of this in my 4 week starter class, Introduction To Fit Dog Training. Thursdays in April 2024- 4, 11, 18, 25 at Love On A Leash. Email Char for more info: dogsontheball@gmail.com See latest updates and offerings here