Trying to Build Muscle and Supplements

Trying to build muscle on my dog. She's 49lbs. I just had her pull around 18-20lbs drag weight around my yard for about 20 mins. I just upgraded my spring pole to the 160LB test any other idea's or am I on the right track. With dogs pulling weight to get the muscle bigger do u pull more weight for a less distance OR less weight for a longer distance? Obviously because of genetics and what not sure inst going to get stupid stacked but if there are some other tips on exercise or food supplements. Anyone ever experimented with homemade supplements? I've made a chicken meal from cooked chicken and bone ground up to a powder, I also am going to try powdered eggs.

 

I'm also trying to develop some resistance training using training bands or bungee cords I haven't seen anything like this before so I'm still working on finding the right bands with the right weight capacity. I believe this would work on her explosiveness and be a different type of work out other than pulling weight. Any thoughts advice more than welcome, I've been reading multiple posts on this but would like an opinion on what I'm doing.

 

I use a bungee instead of a spring for my "spring" pole. Why wouldn't you just give raw eggs instead of powdered?

 

Do you plan on competing in weight pull comp ? If so I suggest you do some research because you could do more harm than good.If your not going to compete I wouldn't worry about muscle and supplements.I would worry about good excersize and a well balanced diet.Correct muscle mass comes from the progress of the proper program that's designed to make you competitive .Just to have a over muscular dog that serves no function other than looks is just stupid and useless.So if your serious about competing in weight pull at least put forth some effort of research before you start some half ass ,bullshit , no thought program.

 

I do feed raw eggs was going to try the powdered route because I am going to get a large amount of free eggs and I they don't stay fresh for ever.

 

So looks don't mean anything when competing in ADBA dog shows? Anyway the judges and some people from the show suggested on building her muscle a bit more. No thought program? What program are you talking about? Im talking about weight pull training and spring pole training with some resistance using bands large rubber bands.

 

Also when I mean supplements I mean whole food supplements, like salmon oil, ground chicken meal, eggs, boiled lean beef, deer, dehydrated liver, stuff like that. Not bully max or any of that crap.

 

OK Einstein so tell me just how much muscle a conformation dog should have ?

 

I never insulted you just trying to learn and understand. Maybe I should have used the term muscle definition not neccasarily muscle mass. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

Don't take it the wrong way but if someone told my dog needed more muscle based on what they saw at a conformation show , I would probably tell them to.get fucked.

 

Well the judge said to me "Oh well there's a little muscle on her, she needs to get some more though." But I'm sure he meant muscle definition not necessarily bigger muscles. I know that if I go lift some dumbbells my arms will temporarily look bigger, that's because of the blood flowing right? I was just trying to translate this to my dog maybe a quick burst right before the show ring, that's all just seeing what people do and learn and thanks. I don't like muscled dogs I like my dogs lean she had a little rib showing but not near enough compared to some of the dogs there, and its especially tough to show the definition because she is a brindle.

 

Here is a picture after the show.

 

i have the same issue with my girl who's brindle. really hard to capture in photos.

 

I'll have a look at the picture.Me personally i do not like separating whole muscles but yes body builders do it to compete .I do not agree with this in dogs , it shouldn't be a body building contest...jmo though.

 

Some info passed down to me that I feel is just as important as the workout itself.

Make sure your dog does not have any bodily parasites such as fleas, and mange mites. Make sure your dog is free of all intestinal parasites(worms). I also like to purge my dog to get the bowels cleaned out. Make yourself a daily check list to perform on your dog before the work.

1. Observe that your dog has a good eager attitude, red gums, clear eyes, clean wet nose, and anything else you feel is important.

2. Clip the dogs nails to begin, and check for cuts, and abrasions on the dogs feet, and pads daily before each work

3. Weigh your dog before, and after the work, and keep it recorded. I like to cut the food a little until the dog is slowly loosing weight. Once it's on weight I feed to maintain by increasing the feed as the work increases.

4. Check your dog for proper hydration. You can do this by pinching the skin up on the back, and twisting it. It should go back quickly when released. If it goes back slowly it's a sign of dehydration. Make sure the dog has fresh clean water changed every day. Some dogs just don't drink much. If this is yours you can add more broth to the feed, or you can inject water, or pedialite under the dogs skin. If these are not helping you need to see a vet.

5. Use your hands, and give the dog a rub down after every work out. I think 15 minutes is plenty, but you need to talk, and praise the dog for good work during this time.

6. Feed the dog about one hour after every work out.

 

Here is a tip, do some long distance cardio combined with what your doing now.

 

Thank you for these tips these are something I was looking for. As for the hydration someone at the show told me to never let the dog drink directly after a workout eg while the dog is still panting any thoughts on this? It does make sense to me because while in highschool football practice my coach always told us to just get our mouth wet and swallow a lil bit so what are some thoughts on this.

I watch a video with Robert the Mill maker on how to rub a dog down something I need to be more consistent at.

"Make sure your dog does not have any bodily parasites such as fleas, and mange mites. Make sure your dog is free of all intestinal parasites(worms). I also like to purge my dog to get the bowels cleaned out. Make yourself a daily check list to perform on your dog before the work." - Any products or solutions you recommend for doing this? Just basic de-wormer?

 

Before this last show, I did 4-mile hand walks both a.m. and p.m. but lacked the spring pole and weight pull if I would like to do both would I want to do both right after each other or do a walk am and mid day do weightpull/springpole/ then p.m. walk? That's whats confusing to me because like said before I do not want to over work her, and how often do you guys do a rest day. I've heard day on day off two days on two days off I've heard everything. I usually just judge by her energy level but, I feel I need to take another step forward and increase her work load.

 

I played corner and strong safety special teams etc. wish I could put the pads back on some days. I have been using safeguard but their are other options. Search this site as you will find many answers to ?s you may have and answers to ?s you haven't thought of yet.

Safeguard/Panacur (Fenbendazole) Dose for Dogs

Don't miss the "Similar Threads" also found at the bottom of the page.