A Quick and Easy Fitness Program for Every Dog!

The Fast Start Fitness program was created to help dog owners squeeze canine fitness into their busy lives.

This program provides a broad based, general fitness program that any healthy dog can begin by simply following the step by step exercises. Previously this program was only available to those who had purchased a K9 Fitness Solutions membership subscription, but now it is available to anyone.

The program begins with teaching your dog common fitness movements. From there, the program moves into the foundation of the K9 Fitness Pyramid:

                                   

Most importantly, strength training - the single most critical aspect of any fitness training program - is included. With specific strengthening exercises, it provides a solid approach to using body weight resistance for strength training in your dog.

This program is divided into 2 phases, each 6 weeks long....

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Balance Training Improves Core Strength

balance core strength Aug 09, 2017

Balance is your dog’s ability to maintain its center of gravity without falling while standing and moving.  Balance is the result of many systems working together, including the visual system, the vestibular system, and proprioception (or body awareness.)

The muscles involved in balancing typically are the small muscles whose primary job is to stabilize joints in the limbs and the core. The core, includes the muscles that stabilize and support the spine, pelvis and hips. The core includes many muscles, many of which are hidden deep beneath the surface, including the multifidus, paraspinal muscles, and abdominal muscles.

 

Strong core muscles help to eliminate excessive or unintended movement in the spine and pelvis, transfer force from one part of the body to another, and mobilize the spine in movement, helping to reduce the likelihood of injury.

A strong core is critical to canine movement. It is the central link in the “kinetic chain” that is your...

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How Your Dog Learns to Balance

balance Jul 13, 2017

Balance training is beneficial for any dog - old, young, performance or retired.  The fun part of balance training is that the dogs enjoy the challenge and you will see improvement quickly. In fact, with consistent training of 3-4 times a week, improvement can be seen in as a little as 2 weeks!

How is it that your dog's balance can improve so quickly?

It is a learned skill with a basis in your dog’s genetic predisposition. What that means is that some dogs innately seem to have good balance and some do not, but if your dog is not a natural, don’t worry. Your dog can learn to balance better- and learn it quickly!

Neuroplasticity refers to the moldable nature of the brain to form new, and reorganize, synaptic connections. This is the driving force behind the generation of functional neural pathways in learning and memory. Of particular interest to canine athletes, neuroplasticity is what allows for learning and maintaining new motor skills, like balancing.

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Boosting your Dog's Brain through Balance and Exercise

Research clearly shows that exercise boosts the brain

For years now, we have known that exercise protects against memory disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. (And people who exercise regularly are 50% less likely to develop dementia.) Dogs who regularly exercise would also be at a lower risk for canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, a doggie version of dementia.

Exercise also makes you and your dog smarter, with better focus and concentration, and helps your dog learn.

But how does that happen?

Exercise creates new brain cells and increases a growth factor called BDNF, brain derived neurotrophic factor.

This growth factor, BDNF, is a protein that leads directly to brain cells connecting to one another as well as strengthening cells and axons.These connections, called synapses, between cells become more dense.  BDNF stimulated connections are an important factor in learning and creating long term memories.

Overall, BDNF makes neurons healthier and is important...

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Variables in Balance Training for Your Dog's Fitness

balance Jan 02, 2017

Balance is one of my favorite components of dog fitness training; it’s fun to teach and to share with others! Most dogs enjoy the physical and mental challenge of balance training as well making it fun for the dogs too!

There are many variables involved in balance and stabilziaiton training. These include:

  • Your dog’s body position
  • Number of feet on the equipment (called the base of support)
  • Height of the equipment versus height of your dog
  • Inflation levels
  • Whether your dog is standing or moving on the equipment (static or dynamic stability)
  • The specific piece of balance equipment used
  • Your dog’s prior exposure to the equipment
  • Visual input

Balance is learned, and any dog can do it. For some dogs it will be easy and very natural, others will have to work harder at achieving better balance - but every dog, and dogs of all ages, can improve their balance.

One of the easiest variables to categorize in balance work is the type of equipment being used for the dog's...

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The Benefits of K9 Balance Training

balance Jul 14, 2016

Balance is one of my favorite things in dog fitness training, in K9 athletes, in my rehab patients, my kids, and even myself. It's so rewarding to see progress in this area and it’s typically fun to train. So, here are 7 sevens reasons why better balance benefits both you and your dog!

-- Keeps your dog young. Balance is foundational to fitness and good health, and delays the onset of signs of aging.

-- Strengthen your dog's core. A strong core leads to better quality of life.

-- Improves performance in sports, and life in general. Whether it’s chasing birds in the yard or chasing the lure, better balance allows your dog to do better.

-- Protects against injury. This is a big one. This is one of the best reasons why every dog, including yours, would benefit from balance training. This not only includes major injuries and falls but those tweaks and strains of daily life too. Better balance equals less likely to get hurt. 

-- Reduces Anxiety. Balance training...

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