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Post by Nightshadows on Dec 4, 2003 0:23:35 GMT -5
Ok so I learned my lesson of not preparing for a show. What are the best things to do to build stamina and strength in the dog for the SV ring?
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Post by MITTELWEST on Dec 4, 2003 10:18:59 GMT -5
This would depend on the dog itself. Every dog is different. Depending on what part of your dog's anatomy is in need of strength building. There needs to always be a concern that you are overdoing part of the anatomy in the strength building.. if you are working something that is already plenty strong and plenty tight.
As far as building the wind... simply playing with your dog with a couple of tennis balls or biking him long distances, will build wind.
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sandy
Full Member
Elzie vom Oak Ranch Shepherds
Posts: 64
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Post by sandy on Dec 4, 2003 17:36:11 GMT -5
I hope that I'm not out of line, Dana, but would you mind sharing your experience? I am a complete newbie to the breed and to the ring and could probably learn from your story. My Elzie is only 9 months so I can't do a lot of 'road work' with her yet but most that I know bike their dog for stamina training. Also, I would think that playing ball up hill would be great for both strength and cardio. Sandy
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Ztefan
Junior Member
Posts: 17
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Post by Ztefan on Dec 4, 2003 19:14:51 GMT -5
Hi Dana.
I will try to give you some tips.
I Think you should run on the beach, in the waterline, maybye go swimming with him, play with ball or just something he is very found of. I donĀ“t think you should bike train him unless he can run free beside you.
For strenght: You go infront of him and call, while the person holding him, really makes him work to get to you, that is a good way to get him firm.
There are so many things you can do, just find the one you and Angus likes the most.
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Post by freundhund on Dec 5, 2003 3:06:25 GMT -5
Dana Knowing the age of your dog can help. It does depend on individual dogs but I will give it ago. Mature Adult Dog 1hr loose walk, off lead allowed to sniff but at a good walking pace for the handler. Try to find a dressage arena if your dog won't run around outside in the snow or if it is to hot. If you are unable to do this, at minimum 1/2 an hour on a lead. 3 times a week 20 minutes on a walking machine. If you don't have one you should be able to hire time from a local greyhound trainer. Extra walking can be done on a machine if you cannot do all the walking but know more than 20 minutes at a time and watch the dog as the machine can cause pacing. Biking should be every second day approx 4 to 6 kilometres. 3 times a week swimming if you live close to the beach, otherwise again try and fine either a dog or greyhound pool or even a horse pool. I have no problems using the family swimming pool but you need to put an old pair of pantyhose over the filter. Work out the length but you need to do about I/2 a kilometre (sorry I can't put that into yards) This is inaddition to the obedience, tracking and schutzenhund training. Weight training, yes I know in the gym with the weight lifters. To help develop hind quarter muscles if you can find an old car tyre attach two ropes to the tyre and attach this to both sides of a heavy wide flat leather collar encourage the dog to pull the tire on flat level ground. You can then encourage the dog to pulling the tire up a hill. Remember not long distance and to take a break after every 6-10 steps. This also helps to broaden the dogs chest. The other form of weights is saddle bags encourage your dog to wear saddle bags with light weights in them no more than 500grams on each side again 3 times a week. Also if you are genuinely serious a weekly massage either by hand or using a massage machine. Regular checks from the chiropractor and accupuncturist. This is one thing I have not done but a friend whose dog wins a lot swears by it and as I have seen her dogs do it. There are wrap around weights for people to wear on the ankles and wrists shre puts them on her dogs legs when they are in the house or around her (to stop chewing) but my friend does this in addition to the above and has winning stock. What can I say. (Now if you can find anytime in the day for yourself good luck. But if you do the exercise with the dog I can guarantee that the dog will get fit and you will lose approx 1/2 a pound a week as well.) Regards Freundhund
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Post by Nightshadows on Dec 5, 2003 13:34:06 GMT -5
Hi- I had decided not to enter my dog in the show and so I had stopped ring training him. Then, 2 or so days before the show I got hassled ;D by a couple of people to enter him so I did. He hadnt been ring training in about 1.5-2 months so he was out of shape and I guess he gaited ok but not as well as last time. The judge said he would have gone SGI if he had been in better condition so he ended up with SG2. So, that was my fault but now I have learned my lesson. When he gets back from titling we'll follow all this advice. I hope that I'm not out of line, Dana, but would you mind sharing your experience? I am a complete newbie to the breed and to the ring and could probably learn from your story. My Elzie is only 9 months so I can't do a lot of 'road work' with her yet but most that I know bike their dog for stamina training. Also, I would think that playing ball up hill would be great for both strength and cardio. Sandy
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sandy
Full Member
Elzie vom Oak Ranch Shepherds
Posts: 64
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Post by sandy on Dec 5, 2003 17:15:18 GMT -5
>>The judge said he would have gone SGI if he had been in better condition
Sorry to hear that he lost that top spot, Dana. I was at my first show ever last month and there were a couple of classes where the judge mentioned conditioning (or more often than that, handling) as the reasons that he put a dog back a place or three. My novice eye didn't see what the judge was seeing, but the more experienced people around me did.
Sandy
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Post by JanisN on Dec 11, 2003 1:39:44 GMT -5
If the dog is over 12 months old, there is a lot you can do for conditioning and strength training. I agree with Julie, you want to work on areas that NEED work, so you need to identify those and plan your training accordingly.
Two ball is ALWAYS good, no matter what areas need working on. It's great for wind, drive, overall fitness, etc. IF you have a hill you can play on, so much the better. Racket the ball up the hill and encourage the dog to go like a demon for it, then when they're 3/4 of the way back to you, get ready to racket the second ball. But STOP before the dog wants to stop, to build up drive for more play next time.
Pulling weights develops rear drive, chest, back and thigh muscles. We use a padded harness with 100 lb of chains. Just walk the dog. Aim for 1 mile at first, build up to 2.
Road work, either on a bicycle or with a truck, at a steady 2-3 mph.
Swimming, if you can. Running in the snow. Running in sand.
If you're doing strength training, be sure and give at least one day of rest between sessions. The muscles break down and rebuild.
JanisN
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Post by ginabean on Dec 11, 2003 15:20:50 GMT -5
Freundhund's point is well taken--the handlers and double handlers need to be in as good shape as the dogs!
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Post by Nightshadows on Dec 11, 2003 17:30:49 GMT -5
no freaking kidding...... ;D I soooo have to work on that I get so nervous before and then I start running, my stomach starts to churn and I wanna barf! I sold my Springer but I tried it and didnt like it, I prefer to hold onto the leash, if my dog goes to take off im letting the leash go, Im not flying over the handlebars for anything
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Kerry
Full Member
Posts: 177
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Post by Kerry on Dec 11, 2003 19:06:43 GMT -5
I would hesitate to use a racquet to smack a ball up a hill, as an acquaintance did just that and accidentally smacked her dog in the tooth, resulting in a megabuck$ dental restoration! I bike my working male on a Springer 3-4 times a week for three miles. There's no way he'll crap out! Fortunately, he has SO much drive for me that I CAN'T call him. I hide and only peep the whistle or call his name a couple of times to perk him if the judge is looking. I know the anxiety before a class, only too well. I try not to think about it, but I find later that I was brain dead during the class. I don't know which is worse.
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Post by freundhund on Dec 11, 2003 21:30:53 GMT -5
Hi Nightshadows You are right in some ways about a Springer. However the only accident I have had with a Springer and the dog was when a jogger with a pram (with baby) tried to come between me and the dog, no kidding. I unfortunately have ended up with a torn rota cuff in the shoulder. Physio, chiro, accupuncture, oesto, steriod injections into the joint (FUN). Not complaining other than the fact that the oral steriods put 30 kilos on me and I am having trouble taking it of. Basically if you do most of the dogs exercise your self you should be right for the ring or to double handle the dog yourself. To practise ring training put down four witches hats (large red cone shape objects) and teach yur dog to turn around them on command. Have double handler standing a bit past the witches hat, with the best food for your dog, ie roast chicken skin, devon (help translation required Janis) ham or hot dog. Use that to motivate the corner with the double handler then feed it to dog as it goes to next corner where hopefully next double handler is.( And repeat) This stops the dog over shooting at the corners. After first few days don't give the dog the food everytime, make sure double handlers talk to dog or associates it with the whistle or call. Also practise in a field (dog of lead) with the double handlers and treats, a lot of people think just calling a dog makes it work however if you have used positive reinforcement you will have good ear carriage and a dog that keeps working. Here endeth todays installment. (You know we are all mad wanting to show dogs don't you. I am sure that if they did a DNA on dog people they would find the mutate gene.) Regards Freundhund
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Post by Mary on Dec 11, 2003 21:40:22 GMT -5
OMG Freundhund
I love your witches hats! ;D I can hardly wait for club to tell them about the witches hats (cones)....No No I'm not making fun of you they look just like witches hats.
The wieners on the corners with the cones for starting a puppy is fabulous. Thank you for another great idea.
We have a dog treadmill its excellent. Keeps them in shape can use it year around out of wind rain etc...
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Post by freundhund on Dec 11, 2003 21:56:39 GMT -5
Hi Mary No worries "Witches Hats" here that is what they are called. Just watch the treadmill, it can cause some dogs to pace instead of trot, but you guys have SNOW.<jealous> How can you beat snow for giving good coat. Here in Sydney in winter you can just about tell where people live at a show by the amount of coat their dog has. Have fun tonight. At the club. Trying to find someties what you call something between States here in Australia can be fun, between here and US we have Janis.( Our own personnal interpreter) Regards Freundhund
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Post by Schaeferhund on Dec 12, 2003 8:21:12 GMT -5
If the dog is over 12 months old, there is a lot you can do for conditioning and strength training. JanisN And that's another question. How do you condition a dog, say if he turns 1 year in the middle of August and the Sieger Schau is in the end You wouldn't want to "just do it" and overstress the joints. Yet he still would need to be fit for the event
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