Strengthening Exercises For Agility, Part 1: Rocking On A Theraball
Strengthening Exercises For Agility, Part 1: Rocking On A Theraball
Strengthening Exercises For Agility, Part 1: Rocking On A Theraball
ECE’S
Strengthening Exercises
for Agility, Part 1 By Debbie Gross Saunders, MSPT, OCS, CCRP
Photos by Clean Run
G
Y M
To Increase Hind-End Awareness
The exercises used to increase hind-end awareness strengthen the muscles
As owners of athletic dogs, we are always looking dogs use for balance and proprioception. These muscles have Type I muscle
fibers or static muscle fibers. When the fibers are weak, they fatigue very
for methods to improve their strength, power, and
quickly. We use these muscle fibers to help us stand up. Think about how
endurance. This is even truer in dogs that have suffered you feel when you have had the flu or been in bed for a few days. When
an injury or undergone surgery to correct a problem and you tried to stand up, you probably wobbled a bit. Just a short stay in bed
can alter these muscles. Fortunately, they are easy to work on and can be
are working toward a return to agility. As an adjunct to focused on consistently. The exercises below should be initiated slowly but
agility training, strengthening exercises should be done may be performed on a daily basis. Although these exercises may seem
simple, your dog will be doing a significant amount of work.
with a healthy dog on a regular basis, and absolutely
Exercises to increase hind-end awareness are appropriate for:
must be done before an injured dog returns to agility. • Teaching hind-limb awareness to young dogs
• Improving hind-limb recognition in adult dogs
This month we’ll discuss exercises for increasing hind-end • Improving physical coordination on obstacles
awareness as well as exercises for increasing strength of • Recovery from hind-limb injuries
the gluteal and hamstring regions. • Recovery from cruciate surgeries and cruciate injuries
• Hip dysplasia
• Recovery from neurological conditions
W
Walking
initially.
• Increase the activity level by trotting the dog instead of walking, and
by shortening the figure-eight pattern or decreasing the distance
between the weaving cones.
in sand
• Walking in sand is more difficult than it appears and should be
begun slowly.
• The softer the sand, the more difficult it will be for the dog to
walk. So start this activity in hard-packed sand, if possible, and
A large dog being walked through
begin with two to three minute walks with the dog on leash. weaving cones set 4' to 5' apart.
• To increase the intensity of the exercise, walk the dog for
A small dog being walked through weave poles
longer distances, up and down embankments, and in zigzags. set 36" apart.
Leaning on an incline
• For this exercise you can use a hill, a board or ramp placed on a
bench or cinderblock, a stair, a contact trainer, and so on.
• Position the dog’s back legs on the incline at approximately 15°
to 20° to start.
• Use a treat or a hand signal to encourage the dog to lean forward
and back.
• Repeat this exercise five times; it may be done in sets of three.
• Be cautious if the dog has any acute or new back issues because the
incline may aggravate his back.
www.cleanrun.com Incorrect
Incorrect tugging: the dog’s neck should not be in an
extended position.
Dancing
encourage him to walk backward.
Gluteal and Hamstring Regions Holding the dog’s forelimbs stabilizes
the pelvis.
The hamstrings and gluteal regions are located in the back of
the dog’s hind limb. The hamstrings are the larger muscles • Do not encourage the dog to do this
and the gluteals are located more on the dog’s pelvis. Together, exercise without help or to walk back
these muscles are responsible for extending the dog’s hip and on his own.
knee. They also produce power for jumping and running. • Start with a distance of approximately
These muscles should be strengthened on a regular basis and 10'. Give the dog a short rest and then
be involved in any crosstraining regime for agility dogs. repeat the exercise three to five times.
Exercises to increase strength in the gluteal and hamstring • As the dog becomes stronger, you can
regions are appropriate for: increase the distance and repetitions.
• Improving jumping strength This may also be performed going up
• Improving power in the hind limbs small inclines of 10° to 20°.
• Recovery from hind-limb injuries, especially cruciate
injuries
• Recovery from back injury
• Generalized hind-limb weakness