Front Matter

Chapter 10 Conditioning and Retraining the Canine Athlete 257

● Sequences with 90‐degree turns on the flat, but
not immediately after landing from an obstacle.
Increase jump height to 16 inches. Add the dog
walk and 2‐on, 2‐off contacts only if the patient
does them gently. If the patient stops abruptly in a
2‐on, 2‐off position at the bottom of the A‐frame
and/or dog walk, switch to using a quick release
or running contacts if possible.
● Add the A‐frame if the patient has 2‐on, 2‐off con-
tacts. Increase the jump height to 20 inches.
● Add weave poles last as they create the most
torque on the shoulder.

Additional notes: The patient’s shoulder should be
iced for 10 minutes after exercise, whether skill
training, competing, or fitness training. At‐home

heat and massage treatments followed by passive

range of motion exercises should be performed

daily, but not within 2 hours of exercise and icing.

The patient should be given appropriate levels of

protein (for tissue repair), fat (for energy and to

provide a balance of omega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty

acids for their anti‐inflammatory activity), and

should have the appropriate calcium:phosphorus

balance (see Chapter  4). Patient should be taking

high‐quality joint‐protective nutraceuticals, probi-

otics, omega-3 fatty acid supplements, and bal-

anced antioxidants. Discuss the potential use of

chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture with

the client. Discuss ways to monitor the patient’s

progress including time to fatigue, muscle size and

tone, and evidence of early subclinical lameness.

Table 10.2 (Continued)

Phase

Number of

sessions per

phase (one

session

per day) Session duration

Number of

obstacles per

sequence Obstacle types Turns

IV 12 15 minutes total • Sequences

of up to 16

obstacles

• One‐jump
  work at 20′′
  
  
  • 20 ′′ jumps, tunnels,
    16 ′′ tables, tire, teeter,
    dog walk (2o2o)
  
  
  • Full‐height A‐frame
  
  
  • Start removing the
    lower part of the box
    on the A‐frame
  
  
  • Start to bend body
    in channel weave
    poles, or:
  
  
  • Six poles if using
    2 × 2 method (no
    more than six pole
    sets per training
    session)
    
    
    • Add sharper
      turns includ-
      ing tight turns
      around jump
      stanchions
    
    
    • Introduce just a
      few tight turns
      and gradually
      increase
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

V 12 20 minutes total • Sequences

of up to 20

obstacles

• 24 ′′ jumps, tunnels,
  16 ′′ and 24′′ tables,
  tire, teeter, dog walk
  (2o2o)


• Full‐height A‐frame


• Remove the rest of
  the box from A‐frame


• Start to bend body
  in channel weave
  poles, or:


• 12 poles if using 2 × 2
  method (no more
  than six pole sets per
  training session)
  
  
  • Full variety
    of types of
    turns seen in a
    typical master/
    excellent
    course
  
  
  • Introduce just a
    few tight turns
    and gradually
    increase the
    number to a
    maximum of
    three in each
    sequence
  
  
  
  

*This is just a sample. Every retraining program should be individually designed for each dog, giving consideration to the

dog’s age, breed, structure, injury, the dog’s response to treatment and rehabilitation, and the client’s goals for the dog.

2o2o, 2‐on, 2‐off.