Conditioning ideas

[Pipbull]

I just wanted to get some conditioning ideas from the members here. I know this is normally not the season for it, but I live in Florida, so the winter is pretty good outdoor weather so I don't have to worry about overheating.

So, I want to do some conditioning with my dog, Axl. Nothing serious, he is a neutered un-papered dog. I will be doing some weight pull later with him (don't want to start until he's two), but I just want to start with some healthy working for now. Here is a typical working day with him, which happens about every other day.

2-3 walks a day (2-3 miles each)
2 runs a day (1/2 mile each)
3 1/2 hour playtimes on the flirtpole

He gets 4 cups of Solid Gold hunden-flocken, which I recently switched to from wolfking since it has a little more fat content, split into two meals each day. I regularly add to his kibble, anything like cottage cheese, eggs, baby carrots, bananas, fish oil, and garlic.

I have just made a semi springpole for him to work on, which he loves, but I am doing that pretty recreationally now. (I just built it two days ago, and I'm not sure if I like the design yet.)

So, the main question I have is about getting a treadmill. I've read about it a bit, and I am not sure if I should get one or not. I have no qualms with working with my dog, but i understand I would never be able to walk or run as much as he could on the mill. But what kind of workout does this give them? And is there a particular muscle group that I could work with the mill that I am not working enough already? Or is there some other method to work a muscle group that I might be forgetting?

Any ideas?

[jaystreetsA4]

do you have a recent pic of the dog? id think with all tht the dog should look toned

[Esse818]

me 2, we demand pics, lol yeah well use a bike till she wears out thats what i do. and if u want add a doggi back pack with weights every 3rd day just a simple walk.

[Attila]

I must ask why are you feeding that dog four cups of feed a day plus the other? You're working the dog enough right now. However if you wish to pull with this dog then you need to at least get him used to the pull harness with a milk jug with some water in it. Just a few pounds. Not for exercise but to get used to having something there for now. Also you are most likely over feeding the dog. How much feed is recomended for your dog per it's weight?

[Pipbull]

He gets two cups of food total. This is up from 1 1/2 he used to be on. When I mix, there is less kibble. He is about 50 lbs. When I was conditioning him like what I listed, he was 49 lbs, but my new job gave me less time. But I have the time to start again, so I just wanted to know how to go about it to get him ready for weight pull. I just got the money for my CDPits Harness, so I will be getting that shortly to practice dragging.

But for pics, these are the most recent with moderate activity. I can't get him to stack, so these are the best pics I have.

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL939/4245577/8908139/194681667.jpg http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL939/4245577/8908139/194681663.jpg http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL939/4245577/8908139/194681656.jpg http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL939/4245577/8908139/194681653.jpg http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL939/4245577/8908139/194681562.jpg http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL939/4245577/8908139/194681566.jpg

He lost some of the tone when I slowed down with him, but his legs still look and feel pretty good. I have never been able to see a good core on him, but he has a pretty good tuck and his endurance is awesome.

I think a good weight for him wold be 53 lbs, but if you guys disagree, let me know. I just want a little more weight on him, as long as it is all toned.

Also waned to add that I know it's a lot of exercise now, but I wanted opinions if there is something different I should be focusing on. This is my first dog, so I'm kind of wingin' it.

[Attila]

Actually he has some real filling out to do this up comming year. As he is narrow across the chest for now. But he is just a pup. He will fill out some. Out side of tone he looks good for his age. I wouldn't worry about stacking as he doesn't have a tail and he is fixed. Can't show him any way. Stacking isn't important in the pull competitions. You could use a weighted collar about a 3-5 pounder on your walks. Not runs just the walks. Stillwater has some really nice ones. I got a couple from him at the show in Tennessee. That and collars. He has really nice products at an unbeatable price. Plus he is a good man.

So you give the dog two cups twice a day right? I thought you were giving four plus the other stuff with it. 3-4 cups a day isn't over doing it but with the cottage cheese and other stuff I was thining you were going over four. At his weight 3-4 cups a day is good So long as he stays 55 and under. Which he looks like he will by his structure. The object is to keep him at an optimum weight where you can see no more than three ribs showing any no more no less, conforming with in the total standard of the breed. Going through the gallery look at dogs like Tab has Tnob, Mia, and others Many of us keep our dogs fit. Especially watching those that are being shown. I would say in the pulling events too but there are many that pull that are way out of standard and are not true in breeding(mutts). Once you start training for pull (2 years old) your dog will bulk a little more. You can fine tune that later. Make sure before you ever let the dog pull that you have his hips checked. He needs to have a good sound skeletal system. Just guage his feed off of how he performs, looks, and has solid energy.

[Pipbull]

Ya, I know, he's not a show dog, so I have never bothered teaching a stack. Just said that because I don't have any pictures to show his form.

And, I just had his hips checked last month, and got the all clear from the vet for pulling. Thanks for the info. I didn't think that he was going to fill out much more than he is at now, so should I wait before I order his harness, since his measurements will change? And also, with the weighted collar, do the benefits of using that rather than a weighted backpack outweigh the risks? I have seen stillwater stuff, and I will be ordering a few collars from there, but have never really looked at their weighted stuff.

And I know about the pulling mutts, my roommates female comes from one of those breeders. 110 lb male with a huge furrow in it's skull, and he swears there's no DdB in it.

[Attila]

Ya, I know, he's not a show dog, so I have never bothered teaching a stack. Just said that because I don't have any pictures to show his form.

And, I just had his hips checked last month, and got the all clear from the vet for pulling. Thanks for the info. I didn't think that he was going to fill out much more than he is at now, so should I wait before I order his harness, since his measurements will change? And also, with the weighted collar, do the benefits of using that rather than a weighted backpack outweigh the risks? I have seen stillwater stuff, and I will be ordering a few collars from there, but have never really looked at their weighted stuff.

And I know about the pulling mutts, my roommates female comes from one of those breeders. 110 lb male with a huge furrow in it's skull, and he swears there's no DdB in it.
That is great you had him checked by a vet. As far as weighted collar or a back pack go I would go with the back pack as you can ajust it as you go along as far as weight goes. Probably better with a back pack I suppose. I use both.

110 lb dog eh. Yah you can write that one down as a mutt for sure. Crazy. Thats like feeding 2 1/2 dogs. lol

[Pipbull]

What are your thoughts on using a mill? I have heard a few things, but not sure what's good info and what isn't. I heard carpet mills are more for building muscle mass and electric mills are better for endurance. But that could just be a load of crap.

[getemcassius]

id try not to do as much cardio everyday. 2 hours of solid work is better than all day off and on . sprints may be good with some light weights , he looks tall may need to thicken him

[14rock]

How do you "thicken" a dog? Dogs do not put on mass muscle as we do, working them will add only a very small portion, all it does it makes them work more efficently, and with less stress. 2 hours of hard work a day is more then anyone 99% need for maintenance. Even if your only jogging at 5 mph, thats 10 miles you are covering every day. Thats not needed, and could be more harmful then beneficial. Muscles need "down" time to renew and rebuild themselves, if your tearing down the muscle day after day, you will be weaker in the end then when you began, unless you really know what you are doing, or are using performance enhancing drugs.

[semo]

I just wanted to get some conditioning ideas from the members here. I know this is normally not the season for it, but I live in Florida, so the winter is pretty good outdoor weather so I don't have to worry about overheating.

So, I want to do some conditioning with my dog, Axl. Nothing serious, he is a neutered un-papered dog. I will be doing some weight pull later with him (don't want to start until he's two), but I just want to start with some healthy working for now. Here is a typical working day with him, which happens about every other day.

2-3 walks a day (2-3 miles each)
2 runs a day (1/2 mile each)
3 1/2 hour playtimes on the flirtpole

He gets 4 cups of Solid Gold hunden-flocken, which I recently switched to from wolfking since it has a little more fat content, split into two meals each day. I regularly add to his kibble, anything like cottage cheese, eggs, baby carrots, bananas, fish oil, and garlic.

I have just made a semi springpole for him to work on, which he loves, but I am doing that pretty recreationally now. (I just built it two days ago, and I'm not sure if I like the design yet.)

So, the main question I have is about getting a treadmill. I've read about it a bit, and I am not sure if I should get one or not. I have no qualms with working with my dog, but i understand I would never be able to walk or run as much as he could on the mill. But what kind of workout does this give them? And is there a particular muscle group that I could work with the mill that I am not working enough already? Or is there some other method to work a muscle group that I might be forgetting?

Any ideas?I could be wrong, but in doing my research I read that Garlic and Onions are bad to feed a dog. You might want to reconsider


I know you could probably get by with small amounts of Garlic, but too much is supposed to be toxic.

[getemcassius]

lol. no drugs.. working a dog out for 2 hours doesnt mean running for 2.. hand walking, wind sprints( ball) , up hill walking / jogging , i have a great weight vest i use 30 min every other day , tug of war , if you feed correct 2 hours is nothing i would start with 2 hours with little emphasis on intensity . then build that up over time. as long as you use variety and give proper rest during your fine.. if your dog cant do that its out of shape

[getemcassius]

my question to you rock what is a good routine for the kid with the white dog ?

[Pipbull]

I could be wrong, but in doing my research I read that Garlic and Onions are bad to feed a dog. You might want to reconsider


I know you could probably get by with small amounts of Garlic, but too much is supposed to be toxic.
Ya, too much can be very harmful, but I read that small amounts is good for them. I only add one segment (i'm not sure if that is the term is correct, but when you split a clove into pieces) probably once or twice a month.

And as far as thickening, he is only a year and a half, so he still has some filling out to do.

14Rock, what's your opinion on this sort of all day working? Is it not enough down time, because I break between each activity (except flirtpole, I go strait to a walk.) And after each activity, I rub the muscles down and keep him hydrated so that there's no cramping or over tension.

[getemcassius]

Ill Try To Help Ya Out Here. Just My Opinion, I'd Feed 1 Time A Day Dogs Take Along Time To Digest So If U Feed Early That Will Be In His Stomach During The Workout Out Not Good. Try Using Different Exercises On Different Days . This Works For Me Hardcore....
Day 1 . Ill Focus On Power / Explosiveness 2. Stamina 3. Agility / Speed Day 4 Light Work 20 Min Hand Walk .. I Mean Each Day U Can Fill In The Blank For Exercises . No Matter What You Do You Need Variety . Just Like A Marathon Runner Trains At 12 Miles 3x's A Week , All He Needs Is 1 Type Of Strengh. But A Ultimate Fighter Trains For Intensity And Variety .. Im New To This Write Me Back And Tell Me Your Opionion

[sedaliapitbulls]

why is the tail bobed he isn,t a boxer is he.

[getemcassius]

Huh ? ?

[Pipbull]

Sedalia - nah, no boxer. I bought him out in the sticks when he was 6 weeks old, and it was already docked. For some reason, all the pups in the litter were. Who knows?cassius - That's why I try to do a variety of exercises in each day. And I can't agree on only feeding one time in the day. There's no way he can eat all that he needs for the day in one sitting.

[14rock]

That dog looks good, I'd continue doing whatever it is your doing, for the winter thats an ideal weight. When I work a dog, I don't like to waste our time just walking, or doing anything other then getting down to business. A brief warm-up walk, bust ass, bust ass, bust ass, and then cool-down. Walking for 2 hours is a waste of my time, I don't have that much time in the day to piss with all the dogs on 2 hour stints. Why not run that dog next to a quad, or jog with it for the 2 hours, and cover more ground, or simply get the same ammount of work done in less time and go home early? I guess if your just bonding with the dog, and not really worried about results, then go for it? I was under the assumption they wanted to work the dog a bit more, and she was now spending more time at work? For weightpulling, you need to condition the dog to PEAK, then rest, and PEAK again in 15, 30 minutes, an hour, whatever. Rest, PEAK. Training isnt how much time it takes you, its doing the right things, in the fashion which will help you in the show. If that means weighted vest sprints uphill for 2 minutes, then a slow walk for 10, and back to the hill, go for it. Whatever you think will replicate what the animal will be put through!

[getemcassius]

lol, no short cuts in conditioning, cant cut a corner here or there unless you want a dog to cur cause of fatique... look at some keeps from proven dogmen they could get into the 4 hour range... if dogs is what u do its no such thing as wasted time .... just wondering if u have pics of your dogs on here i'll upload some of mine soon to show you , also ever produce contracted champions ? j

[getemcassius]

u make 1 valid point to must replicate what the animal will fo threw... matches can be up 2 hours correct ? does a boxer training for 12 round fight train for 3 ? you'd bottom out at 5 rds that way... me personally like the idea of knowing my dog preform 2 hours ... as the keep goes on u can start to go down in time a little if the dogs looks overwelmed.. but if a dog is overwhelmed at 2 hours i wouldnt call him game. just my opinion

[14rock]

What I typed before is hardly a "keep", any sort of conditioning program, or anything other then some advice that its all about the work done when you just need the looks, not necessarily how long it takes you to do it. She's not working the dog for a show, from what I understood, its looks only, possibly a little weight pull? I was refering to day-to-day work as she has been doing, nothing serious, or my answer would of been widely diffrent. Relax, shes just wanting a better looking pet, and asking how to get there. Theres many ways to get the results shes working for, in her situation its more a matter of physical health, and bonding with the dog.

My dogs pictures will never be on the site, aside from a small, cropped headshot used for my tattoo of the housedog. Why? Thiefs, overimaginative minds, etc etc. This has been mine, and many others policy since pictures started being saved from this site and popping up elsewhere. I experimented with putting a few back up, and they lasted all of 2 or 3 days before I got nervous and took them down. Also, I've never bred a litter of pups, much less bred a champion. Anything else? Pm me.

[getemcassius]

I Was Just Wondering .. I Like To See Pics With People's Training Ideas.... Helps Me Get An Idea If Their Dog Is Similiar To Mine. And If It Looks Like Its Working Ill Try New Things From Time To Time... Im Always Learning...

[Pipbull]

14Rock, thanks for the advice.

[getemcassius]

i cant get a thank you ,lol, its cool another tip your dog is a boxer

[Pipbull]

sorry, but your advice was to only feed once a day and work for two hours straight....the thank you was not misguided. And my dog's not a boxer, because even without a tail, he's still a better bulldog than yours (I say that, even though I have no idea about you or your dogs, but sorry bro, you shouldn't insult the dogs.)