The online Intro to Structure and Gait Analysis class starts on Monday! If you have already joined the class, please check your email for links to the classroom and Facebook group. If you haven't yet joined, there are still a few spots left! The next time this class will be offered will be January 2023...because this fall there will be a Part 2 coming!
Click here to register: http://caninefitnessinnovations.com/structure-and-gait/
Dear Mother Nature....PLEASE stop snowing! This is one of those days where I'm very grateful to work 30 seconds away from my house, but it's not so great for my clients! If you have an appt today and need to cancel due to the weather, it's not a problem - just PM me. Safety first, always.
There's nothing like a slow motion Bassett Hound to make people smile! This is Walter, and this video was taken when his owner, Laura, was completing her gait analysis video submission for the online Structure and Gait Analysis course. Many thanks for sharing the video with us, Laura! It made my day!
The Intro to Structure & Gait Analysis online course starts tomorrow! If you have already signed up for this course, please make sure you follow the instructions in the "Welcome" email. If you did not see this email, please check your "Junk Mail" and then message me if you would like me to resend it. Experiencing FOMO? There are a few spots left! Go to http://caninefitnessinnovations.com/structure-and-gait/ for more information!
Many thanks to everyone who volunteered their dogs to add samples to my gait library! Special congrats to Joey, Lynda, and Sarah V. for winning the massage draw - I will send a coupon to you shortly so you can book an appointment at your convenience.
For all those concerned about Willow missing out on her massage last week, you'll be be happy to know that we met her demands this week. #spoileddog #becauseshedeservesit
Registration is now open for the Building Strong Foundations course! Not sure where to start or how to scaffold exercises? Do you thrive with detailed feedback? Do you want to understand the "why" as well as the "how"? This is the course for you! With 6 weeks of exercises (5-7 exercises per week), and 12 weeks of feedback, you have lots of time to progress at your own pace. We start right at the basics with targeting and position work, and work our way through a wide range of exercises that address flexibility, proprioception, balance, and strengthening. Working and auditing spots are available; working spots are limited to 10 participants. Please go to http://caninefitnessinnovations.com/building-strong-foundations/ for more information or to register.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! If you are new to conditioning, or want to start your dog off on the right path, this is the course! Class starts September 13th, with both working and auditing spots available! For more information or to register, please follow this link: http://caninefitnessinnovations.com/building-strong-foundations/
Using Lines to Demonstrate Symmetry or Asymmetry
What can a dog accomplish in four conditioning sessions? A lot!
Sometimes you have to get over the mountains before you can start climbing hills.
Champ has been with me for a month now, and what a month it’s been.
He learned to take food from my hand, and gradually I was able to reduce the size to the tiniest of treats that he’ll take out of my fingers.
He learned to follow a lure.
He’s learned that a collar is not a medieval torture device designed to kill him, and therefore he doesn’t have to pee/alligator roll/run away from me when it is in my hands.
He’s learned that when I attach a leash to his collar, we’re going somewhere fun, so he really shouldn’t panic.
He’s learned leash manners.
He’s learned to cross a variety of thresholds.
He’s learned that CFI is a fun place to be and he’ll always be welcome back in the house, so maybe it’s not necessary to go on strike and have to be carried to either location.
He’s learned that my hands are gentle, and that I won’t purposefully scare or hurt him. He sometimes still panics and takes off, but now he races back within seconds.
He’s learned that treats will be shared equally, and if he drops one, another one will come to him - he doesn’t need to stress.
He’s learned that I have infinite patience and a steady temper, and that I won’t ever get frustrated or angry with him because I have absolutely no doubt that he is trying his best to figure out how he fits into this strange new world he’s been dropped in.
These behaviours (and more) are all behaviours that typical dogs already have when they enter CFI, and they are essential for starting a conditioning program. These skills are all still at the reinforcement stage with Champ, but now I can put on a leash, walk him from my house to CFI, and work with him; all without him going into panic mode. In fact....he’s already starting to look forward to our one-on-one time.
We’ve made it over the mountains, now we start climbing the hills.
#OurBoyChamp
Champ Update
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to have an adult dog with a completely blank training slate but some serious emotional baggage and an incredibly loveable personality...that's Champ in a nutshell. The starting point wasn't foot targets or hand touches or circling or any of the things you would typically do with a dog. Instead we started at "Will you take this large lamb meatball if I throw it on your bed?" It wasn't solely fear that was holding him back from the food; it was a complete unfamiliarity with the concept of taking food from a human's hand. He had to wrap his head (and his tongue) around the idea.
Over the past week he's learned to take large, high value treats, and then eventually smaller, medium value treats from my hand and then eventually from my fingers. This is incredibly important because we use a lot of food rewards in conditioning, and it's very difficult to get precise movements if a dog has no interest in food.
He's learned to follow a lure, which will be very important for weight shifting
He's been introduced to food toys that encourage him to problem solve, in the hopes that once he has his prosthetic, this will be a tool that can be used to encourage movement.
He's learned to compensate for his rear legs when playing by using his bed as a base for his rear and rotating his upper body around the bed. Thanks to a generous donation by an Adopt A Mutt supporter, he'll soon have a larger bed to play and rest on.
He's learned to hand target, and we've transitioned that to a start button behaviour to build his confidence and reduce the submissive urination.
He's learned to trust me as I gently handle his body, including his stumps. Next week I'll be starting gentle massage and getting him used to me checking for range of motion.
He's learned how to adapt to my household, and he fits in beautifully. He is a wonderful dog, and someone will be very lucky to have him join their family eventually.
I've learned how important
Isolation Challenge #7, Accompanied by Wycked on Vocals
Isolation Challenge #7...this is an advancement of #6 for the advanced crew! The mechanics are important - I'm looking for a smooth, even stride, front and rear assembly engagement, and full contant with the unstable surfaces...but just as important as the mechnics is the attitude. I want my dogs to LOVE conditioning. I hope you enjoy the sheltie chorus in the background...
Usually we think conditioning is about building muscle....but building confidence is just as important! Congrats Sophie and Cassandra - what a huge accomplishment!
It was a really, really, REALLY busy weekend...but CFI reopens tonight in our larger, more accessible space! Many, many thanks to Anne R. for helping me out - I couldn't have done it without you! Massage and conditioning appointments are now available - check out our website at www.caninefitnessinnovations.com for more information.
Cavaletti Workshop 2019
This afternoon was all about cavaletti! Workshop participants learned how to set up the cavaletti, how to extend stride, and how to use the cavaletti in a variety of ways to improve proprioception and vary extension and collection. Participants were left with a challenge to complete by September 1st...I can't wait to see how they do!
December Fitness Challenge Winners!
For the December Challenge there was only one entry...but Miss Cheers did a stellar job and definitely deserves those cookies! A donation is being made to Shelter House on behalf of CFI, and next year I will change the timing a bit since I know December is a busy time for everyone. Congrats Barb and Cheers! Great Job! The next challenge is coming soon....
Calder November Challenge
November Fitness Challenge
Are you looking for a challenge? Especially a challenge that can earn you bragging rights AND a prize? Keep an eye out for the CFI monthly fitness challenges! Every month I'll be posting an exercise that requires minimal equipment, will challenge dogs at a variety of training and fitness levels, and is safe for dogs of all ages and sizes. All you have to do is train your dog, post a short video in the comments, and a random name is drawn on the last day of the month from people who participated. Collaboration is encouraged - challenge a friend, practice with a group, make it a family affair. Prizes will vary from month to month, but the prize for November's Challenge is a $30 gift certificate for CFI that can be used towards a seminar or conditioning/massage package.
November's challenge involves proprioception and core strength. You will train your dog to target a flat, small object with their front feet. The object should be rectangular, and just wide enough to accomodate their front feet. Once they can confidently target the object, you will teach them to do a tuck sit, kick back stand, and drop with their front feet remaining on the target (see the video below as an example). You can use any type of positive training, including luring, shaping, and cueing. This is a fantastic activity for all dogs, and you may be surprised by how challenging it is! Have fun, and make sure videos are posted by midnight November 30th!
