Fetch is one of the most heated topics in dog training: some guardians see it as an easy way to exercise a dog, while others (rightly) argue that it causes injuries and fuels unhealthy obsession. The discussion is often polarized but in reality the question of fetch is far more nuanced
Category Archives: Physical fitness
The power of movement: why varied exercise matters for dog joint health
Maintaining your dog’s joint health involves more than regular exercise. Varied, dynamic movement is crucial for lubricating, strengthening, and keeping their joints flexible. This prevents localized wear, boosts synovial fluid circulation, and improves flexibility. To achieve this, mix up walking surfaces, do low-impact exercises, provide off-leash time, and incorporate stretching and massage.
Form follows function: the importance of structure in dog health and performance
The job of the Polish Hunting Spaniel (PSM) is to excel as a versatile hunting companion – a task where its physical structure also plays a crucial role. In this article, we’ll explore why structure matters for a PSM’s health and performance and how breed standards serve as a blueprint for ensuring that our dogs are well-suited for their intended purposes.
Conditioning core muscles with long grass searches
Dogs can improve fitness and muscle development by searching for objects in long grass. This activity engages different muscle groups, promotes brain and nose engagement, and fosters persistence. It is particularly beneficial for young dogs to develop core strength and prevent potential injuries. Early exposure to this activity can lead to well-developed dogs. [Source: dogs4motion.com]
The anatomy of a breed standard
The key reason why breed standards matter even when you are focused on the potential performance of a dog is that not all dogs are physically suited to the activities we want to do with them. I’ve previously written about why structure matters even for working spaniels – it’s not just about performance, unless youContinueContinue reading “The anatomy of a breed standard”
Thoughts and tips on puppy exercise + book recommendation
I recently started re-reading a book I bought a while ago called “How to Build a Puppy” and stumbled on some interesting stuff, so I posted about it on our kennel’s Instagram account and thought it would be useful to share on the blog too. Since I only thought of sharing it here afterwards, here’sContinueContinue reading “Thoughts and tips on puppy exercise + book recommendation”
Proprioception and balance training in the forest
https://videopress.com/v/8m0udXfh?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Forest gymnastics This is so easy to do yet so beneficial for dogs (and especially puppies) because it slows them down and really gets them to pay attention to how they navigate obstacles. That develops their proprioception and balance – abilities they will very soon need when they become adolescents. Dogs mature physically muchContinueContinue reading “Proprioception and balance training in the forest”
Why structure matters for working spaniels
A lot of people, especially in the working spaniel world, look down on dog shows – they’re seen as being about appearance and, as such, an unnecessary vanity. It’s all about PERFORMANCE for working cockers, so appearance doesn’t matter! The implicit subtext is that this focus on performance is somehow morally and ethically superior – and in all honesty, once upon a time, I embraced this attitude as well.
Some thoughts on joint health and dog development
I had a conversation with someone* a few months ago about dog joints, structure, movement and breeding spaniels, and during the conversation we had a hypothesis about why there are more joint problems today. Hypothesis 1: In the past hunting spaniels like cockers and springers (in the UK) would have been removed from the geneContinueContinue reading “Some thoughts on joint health and dog development”
Not all ball throwing is bad
Some people are really against balls for dogs and I can totally see why. Some dogs, including mine, get obsessed, a little possessive, and running after a ball can also cause injuries – something we’ve also experienced. So why do I not ban them entirely? Because they are incredibly useful for me to keep myContinueContinue reading “Not all ball throwing is bad”
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