21/11/2024
An excellent article and something I feel passionate about myself! Warming up dogs properly, wearing coats in this cold weather especially whilst waiting your turn in a group lesson. Even just opening your car/van and letting your dog run flat out straight accross the field without walking around first. Do you warm up and cool down your dog, if not, it is time to start! :)
๐ถ Canine research is a little lacking around warming up (and cooling down) but if we look to human research there is evidence that an active and dynamic warm up can reduce injury risk and improve performance.
โฐ All warm ups should build steadily with an optimal time of around 10 minutes, however when there are factors such as colder weather and being crated for long periods are involved, the warm up should build more gradually and last longer.
โ๏ธSimply tugging with your dog on the way into the arena or playing ball/toy chasing is not an adequate way to warm up your dog.
Factors that will change how you warm up
- Injuries or weaknesses (be guided by your therapist)
- The sport
- Level of performance required
- Weather
- Type of skill being trained
- Dogs age, breed, structure etc
Warm ups do not need to be complicated, an example routine is below;
๐ถ๐ผ1 - 2 minutes Walking continuously then progressing into a trot
โญ๏ธ2 minute Circle work incorporating handling and turns
๐คผโโ๏ธ30 seconds - 1 minute Toy play (not ball throwing)
๐๐ผ 30 seconds - 1 minute Turns on the flat
๐๐ผโโ๏ธโโก๏ธ 30 seconds - 1 minute Sit-down-sprint
๐คธ๐ฝโโ๏ธ1 - 2 minutes Sport and dog specific dynamic exerises
โฌ๏ธ 1 Jump practice incorporating some handling
๐งThe warm up should prepare your dog both physically and mentally for the work they are about to do. At the end of your warm up your dog should be adequately warm plus focused and ready to work, they should not be fatigued or over aroused.