Unusual Fitness Regimes?

[Wales1234 5,561]

There's a massive fern patch by me about 3 mile walk to get there good few rabbits so they hunt around that for a good while keep themselves fit ! Always walked mine fit may run them behind the car if I'm rushing after work

[straight2hand 303]

I've Hurd of people using tread mills or was something I was thinking of trying just before this winter coming anyone else used them ?

Yeah plenty of people use the tread mills, I'm not a fan as I would rather be out walking but a lot of fellas use them for extra work but nothing like road work to muscle the dog up and to tighten the pads and feet.

[gwalchmai4110 1,758]

yep i walk all mine to a "firm" state just letting them hunt up whilst on the hill. the only way in my opinion for them to reach running fit....is to run them fit in season. i like to try and let my mutts have a quiet summer(although they very often have other ideas) and come the winter run the legs of them!

 

my lurchers also do alot of swimming this time of year which i find benefits them!

 

atb

[terryd 8,676]

I don't like the idea of a tread mill. I bought a bike stand once for sticking the bike on in the winter to ride. The most boring thing ever. Much better out in the dark, rain and wind. Be even more boring for a dog like a hamster on a wheel I would imagine

[straight2hand 303]

yep i walk all mine to a "firm" state just letting them hunt up whilst on the hill. the only way in my opinion for them to reach running fit....is to run them fit in season. i like to try and let my mutts have a quiet summer(although they very often have other ideas) and come the winter run the legs of them!

 

my lurchers also do alot of swimming this time of year which i find benefits them!

 

atb

Yes I did wonder how much swimming people did as certainly for people its great exercise without putting strain on the joints, I imagine it would be very beneficial. My lurcher will have the odd dip to cool off but I'm not sure she would swim for long enough to help with fitness.

 

Totally agree though you can only get the dog truly fit from actual running of the dog the twists, the turns, the strikes. I think a 4 week pre-season gets them ready for the lamp though.

 

Nice one

[Wales1234 5,561]

 

 

yep i walk all mine to a "firm" state just letting them hunt up whilst on the hill. the only way in my opinion for them to reach running fit....is to run them fit in season. i like to try and let my mutts have a quiet summer(although they very often have other ideas) and come the winter run the legs of them!

 

my lurchers also do alot of swimming this time of year which i find benefits them!

 

atb

Yes I did wonder how much swimming people did as certainly for people its great exercise without putting strain on the joints, I imagine it would be very beneficial. My lurcher will have the odd dip to cool off but I'm not sure she would swim for long enough to help with fitness.

 

Totally agree though you can only get the dog truly fit from actual running of the dog the twists, the turns, the strikes. I think a 4 week pre-season gets them ready for the lamp though.

 

Nice one

My blue bitch is piece of piss to get fit take her to the right places she will run herself fit hunting and running around with the pup

The old bitch which probably won't work this season is the laziest fucksr you will ever meet just walks behind me but if she moves she usually rises something so hard to get her fit none of my dogs will swim feet in for a drink and out lol

[mushroom 13,281]

Roller blades during the summer with him pulling. I've noticed a big difference in his take off when he's running free with other dogs over the last couple of months. Whether this has any part to play or whether he's just settled into his engine room at two I don't know.

[straight2hand 303]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Chute-Speed-Training-Resistance/dp/B006NXXPLY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467882096&sr=8-1&keywords=resistance+training+parachute

 

Just ordered one of these for a £5 its worth a stab, Will add a bit of resistance when the dog runs.

[terryd 8,676]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Chute-Speed-Training-Resistance/dp/B006NXXPLY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467882096&sr=8-1&keywords=resistance+training+parachute

 

Just ordered one of these for a £5 its worth a stab, Will add a bit of resistance when the dog runs.

 

 

probably shite him self with that after him lol

[terryd 8,676]

or he will think your going to lob him out a plane at some point

[straight2hand 303]

LoL yeah a bit of skydiving to get raise the heart rate, I bet she just stands there and goes - I'm going nowhere, what the f**k is that behind me????

[roybo 2,873]

I have a bike that has an electric hub motor ...fine to out a few miles in .

But the type of fitness they get from lamping I don't think you can replicate ,a dog just won't run the same as when it's behind something.

So steady with free running late night and the bike to save my legs.

the first few weeks of lamping is what gets them right ,

[frankel 2,123]

Only way to get them proper fit is grafting in the field. Bike, tennis ball, good walks get them to a certain level then just be like a plateau or when fully tuned a good way to try sustain it....

Summer just months of relaxation, let them excercise them selves on the beach or in the field.

It's easy getting a dog to peak fitness but keeping it there is the hard thing imo, winter a long time to keep peak fitness.

Also changing the diet when out of season to "not" so good biscuit, meat and changing it back to better food come winter will help along the way.

Just my view on it from experience we all have our own methods though.

Edited to add: I do like taking mine on the fells or round the lakes in the summer and walking over fields jumping fences and gates just to keep the mind stimulated and keep in practice.

Edited July 7, 2016 by frankel

[dodger 2,765]

Roller blades during the summer with him pulling. I've noticed a big difference in his take off when he's running free with other dogs over the last couple of months. Whether this has any part to play or whether he's just settled into his engine room at two I don't know.

How's he doing mush has he put much gear away his sister is a handy thing..

[straight2hand 303]

Only way to get them proper fit is grafting in the field. Bike, tennis ball, good walks get them to a certain level then just be like a plateau or when fully tuned a good way to try sustain it....

Summer just months of relaxation, let them excercise them selves on the beach or in the field.

It's easy getting a dog to peak fitness but keeping it there is the hard thing imo, winter a long time to keep peak fitness.

Also changing the diet when out of season to "not" so good biscuit, meat and changing it back to better food come winter will help along the way.

Just my view on it from experience we all have our own methods though.

Edited to add: I do like taking mine on the fells or round the lakes in the summer and walking over fields jumping fences and gates just to keep the mind stimulated and keep in practice.

Well said, I agree keeping the dogs in peak is difficult sometimes. We all know how quick the weather can change and sometimes I don't know whether to stick or twist in the way of keeping a light walk in the day if I'm lamping that night or keep the fitness up with a big bike ride in the day - but if you don't and the weather is shite you have lost a day.