Handling Essentials-The Treadmill

 
We talk a lot about conditioning your dog’s coat for the show.  The bathing, drying clipping and trimming. We talk about the show training.  The free stack, showing the bite.
 
One thing that is important (maybe even the most important) is the physical and mental conditioning of your dog.  Playing with your dog after a training session is a very important.  Positive reinforcement, we all understand what that is but when it comes to actual physical conditioning of your dog that is where many of us let down.
 
Of course it is often difficult to give our dogs consistent regular exercise.  Realistically it is hard for us to commit to consistent regular exercise.  Add to this the fact that dogs come in many different shapes and sizes.  We live in a world where there are often extreme temperatures.  And even if they may not be exactly extreme they are often too cold, too hot or too wet to exercise for our legged friends in.
 
I think nothing is better than taking our dogs for walks where they sustain a trot for 10 to 15 minutes or more while we talk and encourage them.  But this is not always possible. Gym memberships are also not yet a reality for dogs.
 
 
So ladies and gentlemen I bring you the doggy treadmill.  Living in Canada where the weather can be uncooperative for weeks at a time it truly allows my dogs to keep in top physical condition.
 
I swear by the "Dog Pacer" treadmill available at Amazon here or from Ruffdog sports in Canada. I love this treadmill, as it is whisper quiet and super safe for the dogs. 
 
I start by just having the dogs around the treadmill.  I encourage them to jump on and off it and reward them as we are doing it.  Eventually they are on the treadmill and happily trotting a long and I talk to them and encourage them along the way. 
 
It is important to always stay with your dog, and to also make sure the treadmill is at a speed where they are trotting and not pacing or side-winding.  You can check out more conditioning tips in my “Ultimate guide to Handling your dog” and also on this YouTube video we taped just for you.
 
I also had an email from our friends at Canadian Grooming Distributer.  Until November 22nd they have a great deal on their Ultra lightweight Portable Competition tables.  Don’t miss out; these tables are great for grooming your dog while on the road or on holidays.
 
Be on the look out for our Black Friday Sale coming soon to your inbox! Gift certificates are also available now for everything at leadingedgedogshowacademy.com.
 
Talk soon
 
Allison
 
PS any questions? Or a YouTube video you would like to see?  Hit reply and I’ll be right back at you!
 
 
 
 

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