building shoulders and chest

[c.knight]

i am very new to the breed and am in love with them i have a 1year a 8month female rednose. she is about 45 pounds. I let her grow and am now wanting to and muscle to her shouldes and chest how do i go about this what are some good excersices. she has huge legs and love to run but i dont want her to lose anymore weight i want her a little bit builker like about 6-10pds. also are there any supplements that can help me i have a show in about 6months to go to thanks.

[LadyRampage]

i am very new to the breed and am in love with them i have a 1year a 8month female rednose. she is about 45 pounds. I let her grow and am now wanting to and muscle to her shouldes and chest how do i go about this what are some good excersices. she has huge legs and love to run but i dont want her to lose anymore weight i want her a little bit builker like about 6-10pds. also are there any supplements that can help me i have a show in about 6months to go to thanks.

A good way to build upper body strength is drag weights. I use a harness and have a drag that I use to begin with and then I have a huge chain that I use after that. If you haven't been exercising her you should expect for her to lose weight, or at least shift her weight once you start working with her..

[Saiyagin]

You could also play tug of war with the dog to build up his chest and shoulders

[Texasbulldogs]

No amount of exercise is going to increase your dogs muscle mass by 14 - 22%.

[devinben3]

a good way of building the chest is by drag weights and tug o war like said before, also the spring pole works well and if your dog likes to hang from a rope it will give her strong jaw, neck and back muscles...swimming works very well too....where i live in north carolina we have a creek and the water runs pretty strong...i tie my female out in the middle(where she can't touch) and let her swim swim swim against the current, i took it slow but now she'll stay out there for hours and just loves it...my girl actually stays indoors but when conditioning i will tie her on a 75 lb chain and let her jump, run, and hang from the rope with it on, i don't attach the chain, only to her harness so it won't give her chain burns, i play fetch and she drags it, and it works wonders...anything active will build muscle, but mostly just keep at it, you can't just have her work out for a day and then a month later try it again, you have to have a routine and stick to it! hope this helps.

[Mudville_Monsta]

Don't know the laws where you live but having your dog pull you in a bike is a god way to buld it up. you might want to wait a couple more months until you do it or consider your weight to hers. But I had a 75lb male and he pulled me from my house to my aunts. It was a 30 minute ride by bike and he'd go non-stop. At the time I weighed around 300lbs.

[Sureno Pit Bulls]

i have a 1 year and 8 month female and im gettin her chest and shoulders bigger by using springpole and tug o war.

[D.R KING]

i have a 1 year and 8 month female and im gettin her chest and shoulders bigger by using springpole and tug o war.
You mean tone it into shape? A dog's chest is only gonna get big or wide based on the genes the parents had.

Remember, a wide chest and huge head does nothing for the dog if he/she cant use it...

[miakoda]

please don't drown your dog in an effort to get a "huge" chest.............

[STPFAN]

For building the chest and shoulders use a weighted collar and a weighted harness! Also use a horizontal springpole attatched to a treefrom the trunk or side of the house!

YIS

[buddylee04]

where do u get the weighted collar and weighted harness

[PorsA]

where do u get the weighted collar and weighted harness
Look at:http://www.hurricanekennels.com/ or
http://www.strong-heart.com/collari/vis_collari.asp or
http://mdoyle19762000.safeshopper.com/index.htm?885

[D.R KING]

please don't drown your dog in an effort to get a "huge" chest.............
Some guy told me in order to make your dog's chest wider you have to work them....hmm thats weird, I swore it was all about the genes weather your dog has one or not, i could care less, chests lol dont make the dog....

[O.D.]

I Don't Know About Wider, But I Know For Stronger Shoulders And A Well Developed Chest A Harness And Alot Of Climbing Stairs, Hills, And Rocky Ground Is Good.

[PorsA]

Your dogs chest will not become bigger by training, if you ask me. But you can train him and then his muscles will grow a little.

[PorsA]

Walking the stairs is if you ask me not good for your dog.

[O.D.]

Walking the stairs is if you ask me not good for your dog.
WALKING THE STAIRS IS A FOR OF CLIMBING WHICH HELPS THE DOG TO EXTENDE HIS LEGS FULLY WHICH DOES NOT OCCUR IN WALKING ALTHOUGH RUNNING CAN ACHIEVE SIMILAR ACTION. I DID NOT MENTION SWIMMING WHICH ALSO PROVIDES A GREAT RANGE OF MOTION FOR A DOG WHICH HELPS TO DEVELOP UPPER BODY STRENGTH HENCE MUCLES GROWTH IN THE SOULDERS AND CHEST. WHAT ONE CHOOSES TO DO WITH ONE'S ON DOG IS AN INDIVIDUAL CHOICE. GOOD LUCK WITH YOURS.

[STPFAN]

where do u get the weighted collar and weighted harness
Contact Drycreek Kennels for the best weighted harnesses and collars! Basically its a weighted vest on the dog!

YIS

[PADogman]

Does Dry Creek have a web site.I'd like to check them out.I got one from O'Briens and am very pleased with it.Nice construction and built to last.Check their site out they have some really good products.I got a 2" nylon collar from them and it is awesome.
http://obriensk9supply.com/

[O.D.]

Obrien's Got Good Stuff And They Are Good People. Main Supplier At Most Of The Dog Shows Too.

[PorsA]

WALKING THE STAIRS IS A FOR OF CLIMBING WHICH HELPS THE DOG TO EXTENDE HIS LEGS FULLY WHICH DOES NOT OCCUR IN WALKING ALTHOUGH RUNNING CAN ACHIEVE SIMILAR ACTION. I DID NOT MENTION SWIMMING WHICH ALSO PROVIDES A GREAT RANGE OF MOTION FOR A DOG WHICH HELPS TO DEVELOP UPPER BODY STRENGTH HENCE MUCLES GROWTH IN THE SOULDERS AND CHEST. WHAT ONE CHOOSES TO DO WITH ONE'S ON DOG IS AN INDIVIDUAL CHOICE. GOOD LUCK WITH YOURS.
I didn't want to BS you, if you thougt so, SORRY for that. But I only mean to say that I always learned that walking the stairs down isn't good for a dogs hips. But that's my point of view. The best to you and your dogs.

[Rocky H. Balboa]

Although the thread is a month old, I hope some experienced individuals can answer this for me. I have noticed that on all the sites referenced herein the most weight for collars found was 6 pounds. I walk my dog on a 12 lb collar or a 20 lb harness (both self made). My dog weighs 60lbs and has a 22 inch neck (is between 22 to 25 but can't remember at the moment). I am doing something wrong? At the beginning, my dog had to adjust himself to the added weight but now, it would seem like he is not carrying anything at all. I walk him with the weights for about an hour every and 2 (some weeks 3) days a week. At the end of each workout, I give him a full body massage from head to tail. Again, am I doing something wrong?

[rockysteel]

Through my experience with my dogs the best exercise you can do for your dog is running and pulling, these will build strength and wind, i dont think your dog will get any bigger but it will tone up and become a harder muscled dog. Bull dogs are strong anyway and running will make them build wind and building wind through running will allow them to use their strength over a longer period of time and that builds endurance, with all that and being game you will have a dog that will be in fantastic condition, as for pulling , pulling will show him how to use his strength, i remember when i was a kid i had a little red nose female that pulled me around on my bike she would go all out and would pull me all day i i would have let hershe only weighed about 25 pounds but man she was a package of dynomite, just my opinion

[miakoda]

I don't like weighted collars period.

[KTPITS]

lots of running & walking will do the trick and a lot time

[Rocky H. Balboa]

I don't like weighted collars period.
Although the thread is a month old, I hope some experienced individuals can answer this for me. I have noticed that on all the sites referenced herein the most weight for collars found was 6 pounds. I walk my dog on a 12 lb collar or a 20 lb harness (both self made). My dog weighs 60lbs and has a 22 inch neck (is between 22 to 25 but can't remember at the moment). I am doing something wrong? At the beginning, my dog had to adjust himself to the added weight but now, it would seem like he is not carrying anything at all. I walk him with the weights for about an hour every and 2 (some weeks 3) days a week. At the end of each workout, I give him a full body massage from head to tail. Again, am I doing something wrong?
I am trying to know if my method is more of a disfavor to my dog than a great workout. I assume you are an expert dogman and your methods and believes are proven. Please advice.

[DryCreek]

In my opinion....

The neck is the weakest point in the spine, any extra stress on it is likely to cause problems given time. I prefer to use a harness that spreads the weight more evenly over the dogs body. I have used ankle weights around the dogs neck like a collar but they only weigh 2.5 lbs each....so 5 lbs for 2. Nice velcro closures also.Massaging your dog after the workout is very important also.

[devinben3]

well you figure a lot of gamedog owners keep their dogs on chains...chains that are strong enough to hold their dogs so no accidents happen. Everyone's chain size is different, but i do know that they weigh a good amount..it doesn't hurt the dogs, they jump up and down all day long and build muscles from just that. so it's sorta like a weighted collar..as for the weighted harness, police dogs and rescues dogs have special harnesses made to carry things needed for rescues and so forth, they have no problem w/these harnesses. i personally would not put a weighted collar or harness on a puppy becaues they're bones and muscles are still growing and i would hate for something to get hurt. but a fully grown american pitbull is capable of carrying weight, that's why a lot of breeders compete in weight pull...and in your case you say your just doing this a few times a week and then the proper cool down massage, it seems that should be okay. have you noticed a difference?

[Rocky H. Balboa]

well you figure a lot of gamedog owners keep their dogs on chains...chains that are strong enough to hold their dogs so no accidents happen. Everyone's chain size is different, but i do know that they weigh a good amount..it doesn't hurt the dogs, they jump up and down all day long and build muscles from just that. so it's sorta like a weighted collar..as for the weighted harness, police dogs and rescues dogs have special harnesses made to carry things needed for rescues and so forth, they have no problem w/these harnesses. i personally would not put a weighted collar or harness on a puppy becaues they're bones and muscles are still growing and i would hate for something to get hurt. but a fully grown american pitbull is capable of carrying weight, that's why a lot of breeders compete in weight pull...and in your case you say your just doing this a few times a week and then the proper cool down massage, it seems that should be okay. have you noticed a difference?Have I noticed a difference? Heck yes. After doing this for a couple of months, he jumps much higher, shoulders and back are more defined, and tires less. I just wanted to make sure later issues are not developing today. I am glad you pointed the chains, I never thought of comparing them to weighted collars and harnesses. How much should I put on the dog?

I was aiming (eventually) to make him carry his own weight (60 lbs) for the same amount of time (1 hour every 2 to 3 days). This is my ultimate goal but first need to find a way that he can comfortably carry it and confirm with all dog experts this is not a danger. My current nag is that when he carries the 20 lb harness, I have to keep adjusting it (it goes on the top of his back) b/c it either goes to one side or the other.

Also, the hour of weighed walks includes walking up many hills. Does that create an issue when walking him with 20lb weighed harness? I also include walking up and down stairs in his workout (with weights). It is usually four floors up and down for about 10 to 15 minutes. Is this OK?

[ridinhigh]

check out www.thebullyhouse.com (http://www.thebullyhouse.com)

[Seize]

I've had my dog drag and pull weights since she was six months...

Here's what her chest and shoulders looks like

http://www.pbase.com/mr_seize/image/21093797.jpg

[misterdogman]

No amount of exercise is going to increase your dogs muscle mass by 14 - 22%.Wait Tex isn't there that oral injectable cream supplement powder that you rub on your dog to make them bulk up like up to 50%..and it also makes them super strong and gamer too boot... dont it???Oh no man thats just what I read in a magazine again..my bad I was dreaming again.

[XxKonnectionsxX]

Damn she looks good. She kinda reminds me of a older version of my girl Jazmyne. She should be in the gallery or on my avatar. I need to take some updated pics though..In the pictures I have she's about 12 months old.

I've had my dog drag and pull weights since she was six months...

Here's what her chest and shoulders looks like

http://www.pbase.com/mr_seize/image/21093797.jpg

[JohnsonKennels]

she looks fine the way she is, don't try and get her any bigger, cause IMO i think she'll strt to look retarded

[Big Papa]

yeah i do taht

[misterdogman]

The only weight your dog needs to pull is the chain you keep them on. Adding supplements are not needed if your feeding high quality food, also supplements add water to their muscles and muscle adds weight, think about it... the muscle you want is not obviously in her genetic code or it would be there already, by making her pull weights your adding unatural bulk nature didnt tend for her to have...this will not improve her physically, it will actually cause a hinderence on her skeletal structure, her heart and vascular system since everything has to work harder to keep things going, also since shes working harder to supply all the new extra muscle the O2 it needs she will have a lot of extra water in her muscles and system from the extra muscle you put on her and supplements she ingested, having extra water wont allow her to breath at her best O2 absorbtion rate...I dont like weight pulling period, a good run on a bike daily or swimming will build up the muscles she was intended to have naturally and thats all she needs... she will be her healthiest and happiest in her natural form instead of bulked up...JMHO

[GaDog]

I have never trained for show but when I am going to be camping and hiking I start my girl with a doggy back pack and insert bottles of water and just go walking in hilly environments and increase the weight with diving or lead weights up to about 25 or 30 pounds. this will be her working load when treking in. I judge when to add weight by how she handles it and her energy level after 4 or 5 miles. This is done daily for around 2 months. I notice a large amount of growth of muscle and vascular devlopement. I will also recommend being sure to keep the majority of the weight close to the shoulders and to have a well padded and breathable material next to the dogs body. Just like a horse and saddle. Look at well riden horses compared to those, like mine who just eat. It is a very noticable difference in muscular devolopment. Good luck and be careful just trying to make them bigger.

[Rocky H. Balboa]

I personally believe that some weight pulling can increase stamina and wind if done properly. Naturally, weight pulling for building stamina and wind should be done using low poundage. The benefit can be compared to the benefit runners gain by using ankle weights to improve speed and overall conditioning at the time of a race. I have used weights (not pulling) whenever running uphills. Again, using weights should not be the base exercise, rather, an exercise in your program.

[GaDog]

How about a compairson of sprinters using small chutes(parachutes) for wind resistance, low impact high drag. This would be useful for building wind/endurance as well. Since my dog is used more for hiking/camping i add the weight to prepare her for the added impact of carrying her share of the load. This may also give some room to pick on me but I also will put doggy bootys when hiking sharp rocked areas.

[Rocky H. Balboa]

That is a good idea but parachutes are very hard to get.

How about a compairson of sprinters using small chutes(parachutes) for wind resistance, low impact high drag. This would be useful for building wind/endurance as well. Since my dog is used more for hiking/camping i add the weight to prepare her for the added impact of carrying her share of the load. This may also give some room to pick on me but I also will put doggy bootys when hiking sharp rocked areas.

[ALI_DEADLY JR.]

should i attach the heavy chains to his collar or should i attach it to a weight pulling harness? i bought a weighted collar for 10 bucks...is it for his chest and shoulders? my friend said its for the pit bull's chest and shoulders...how about the heavy chain tethering (tie-out)? what's that for?

[rockysteel]

The best thing you can do for your dog is to build wind and indurance she already strong , run your dog then do a little weight pulling twice a week building up weight slowly and you ll be surprised how she improves

[rockysteel]

i wouldnt put my dog on a heavy chain permanantly, and i wouldnt put weight on a collar either , id rather use a weighted vest that you can add weight to or take away. just some advice hope it helps you .

[GaDog]

I know this is not all about weighted collars but from one of the other threads in here I know that a number of folks in here are into combative sports. I am not sujesting that weighted collars are good for the dogs but as a person who fights and trains for the love of the activity I work my neck with weights. I do not have to run miles with these weights on me but I use 50+ lbs to work the back of my neck for reps, so it seems to me that a strong dog would be able to do the same (if work up properly). Is it good for the dog I still do not know but I know a strong neck has saved my butt from touching the ground more than once, and if there (on the ground) helped stave off injury when useing my head for mobility or resistance. The neck being the weakest part of the spine should be strenghtened, by weights or other methods I do not know.

[MR PITS]

Where can you buy a weighted harness and a weighted colar from. I think i would like this best because my pit and I go on long walks.

[robert]

I suggest you don't put too much weight on you dog. A century ago people used dogs to carry things around on their backs but it never went above 1/3 of total body weight. You shouldn't let your dog go down the stairs with the weighted harness on, it is hurting it's joints and ligaments.