Clean Run - February 2013 - 30

Varying the height of the objects on your balance “course” will assist in both eccentric
and concentric contractions.

Here the dog’s rear feet are on a donut sitting
in a stabilizer while his front feet are on a
wobble board.

Guide the dog slowly onto the equipment using a harness and encourage him to move
slowly across the balance objects. As in the beginner and intermediate work, be sure
to sometimes pause with the dog having his front feet on one object and his rear feet
on another object. When the dog is paused with his front feet on a higher object than
his rear feet, he is working on concentric movement; when is paused with his front feet
on a lower object than his rear feet, he is working on eccentric movement. If the dog
moves too fast, he will not obtain the maximum benefit of strengthening his core musculature and he could possibly injure himself. Using hand touches and low-level treats
can help you control your dog’s speed and get him to pause in position.

Here’s another advanced exercise. Use a
wobble board, two balance discs on top
of each other, or an upside down Bosu
Balance Trainer (balance dome) for the
dog to stand on while he places his front
feet on a peanut, egg, or donut. Then
turn the dog around and work the exercise in reverse: front feet on the “wobbling” object and rear feet on the peanut, egg, or donut.

Wrap-Up
Dynamic ball work should be an integral component of every performance
dog’s fitness program. The dynamic
ball work will focus on the appropriate strength of the Type I muscle fibers.
The stronger these muscle fibers are, the
greater the improvement in the dog’s endurance. A higher level of endurance will
also decrease the chances of injury. Injuries cannot be completely prevented, but
we always want to stack the deck in the
favor of reducing injuries.

Here the dog is pausing with his rear feet on
an 80cm peanut and his front feet on a lower
object, a donut (eccentric movement).

Here the dog is pausing with his rear feet on
an donut and his front feet on a higher object,
a 60cm peanut (concentric movement).

Dynamic ball work should be an integral component of every
performance dog’s fitness program. The dynamic ball work will focus on
the appropriate strength of the Type I muscle fibers. The stronger these
muscle fibers are, the greater the improvement in the dog’s endurance.

Many thanks to Kathy Lesinski, one of my
key team members, for her contributions
and set up of the wonderful ball “courses.”
And thanks to our model, Fuse, and his
dedicated owner, Jean Freeman. D
Dr. Debbie Gross Saunders is a certified canine
rehabilitation practitioner and specializes in the
rehabilitation, conditioning, and nutrition of
performance dogs. She has been practicing for over
17 years and has published many articles, DVDs, and
book chapters on the performance dog. Her practice,
Wizard of Paws Physical Rehabilitation for Animals,
LLC, is located in Connecticut. Learn more about her
at www.wizardofpaws.net and look for her DVDs
produced by Clean Run.
Clean Run | February 13

http://www.wizardofpaws.net

Clean Run - February 2013

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