Fitness Training

for conformation, agility and general wellbeing

The foundation for sound movement is obviously a sound construction. Good shoulder angulation and good length of upper arm (a weak spot for many) are necessary to achieve proper reach in front. Rear movement also requires good angulation. Straight stifles make it difficult to get the push to propel the dog forward. Another important factor is the back. The sheltie should be slightly longer than it is tall, and there should be a slope from croup to tail. All these factors influence movement according to Miss Rogers.


Physical Condition

The dog's physical condition also influences movement. Even dogs with the desired construction can move inefficiently if they are in poor physical condition. And a sheltie of poorer construction can improve its movements through conditioning of muscles. On top of which it is much healthier for a dog to be fit - just as it is for us!


The Daily Walk

The daily walk is of great value for the dog; but mostly because it provides amusement and recreation. The doggy version of watching a good movie or soap, reading the paper or a good book.

From a fitness perspective the daily walk does not always fulfil the dog's needs. Only very few owners walk at a speed that fits that of their dog. The problem is made worse by the dog being on a leash. Most dogs end up pacing instead of trotting. When pacing, the dog cannot perform long strides and therefore does not get the opportunity for fully extending with each stride. Dogs that get most of their exercise on a leash can develop shorter length of stride simply due to using their muscles incorrectly. Dogs should be given opportunity to move freely - trotting and galloping - several times a week, preferably every day.


How to Get Fit

Getting you dog fit is most easily accomplished by cycling. And if you do agility with your dog, you definitely ought to do this. A fit and well-muscled dog has much smaller risk of injury.

It is important that the dog runs on a loose leash (or off leash) with free and unhindered movements. Preferably the surface should be fairly soft. Running several kilometres on a hard surface puts strain on pads and joints (shock absorption). I choose gravel paths wherever possible.

Heavy exercising should only be done with mature dogs. For shelties this usually means at least aged 10 months. If in doubt, it is better to wait some months rather than risk injury to young and soft ligaments and joints.


Fitness Program

Inspired by the training program in Marie Hansson Hallgren's agility book, Mera Agility , I do interval training, i.e. with change of pace. It is important that the dog gets to run both at the trot and at the gallop. The dog uses different muscle groups for the two paces. At the trot the long muscles in the back, for instance, are only sparingly used.


Interval Training:

This work out should be done roughly every three days. It is just as important to give the body a break as it is to work out. The muscles need time to recover, otherwise the effect is actually opposite to what we are aiming for.


Alternative fitness methods

Swimming can also provide excellent exercise. It is just somewhat seasonal, and not all shelties like getting wet. But if you have a sheltie that does, then by all means take advantage of it. You must get your dog really swimming though - not just splashing about in shallow water. I throw a stick or floating toy quite a distance out in the water.

When introducing your sheltie to swimming, this is best done in calm waters - not too many waves or a strong current.

The sheltie's delight in chasing other shelties can also be used. The quick changes in direction and speed during this play chase, make the dog use many of its different muscle groups. Just remember the warm-up - the shelties often forget that in their excitement.