Training

Training/Conditioning by Rob Muller

To this date, I have yet to come across any good reference material on how to properly train/condition your dog for Lure Coursing. Sure, there are articles where people tell you that they run their dogs from the back of cars, bicycle, jog, etc. but none are that safe or really condition them properly. Unless someone can convince me otherwise, I believe the best way to keep your dog in shape and keep them conditioned for lure coursing is to continue running them. Don't stop lure coursing. Now, on the other hand, you DON'T want to run your dog during the heat of the summer months- for obvious reasons. So, how do you keep your dog in shape until lure coursing resumes in the Fall? Here are a few exercises/conditioning methods that seem to work well for me. Besides, they're fun for your dog- me too:

Swimming- Yep, that's right swimming. Swimming will exercise every muscle of your dog without putting any extra weight bearing demand on their joints. Actually, swimming is great therapy for your dog. Besides, it really refreshes them in the heat of the summer months. So, where do you take your dog swimming? Granted, you can't take your dog into your local community swimming pool or your neighbors backyard pool. Although, I don't know why not. Most people don't seem to worry about the urine and e-coli that the little screamin shit machines deposit in the water. What I do is take my dogs to the local river. There isn't a river that's not too far from anyone. It doesn't need to be deep just deep enough that your dogs paws won't touch the bottom. I use the Delaware River near my home in Doylestown. Now, let me tell you the most important piece of equipment for your dog. No, it's not swim fins or a snorkel. It's a life preserver. Do NOT take Rover out to the river without a doggy life preserver and a leash. The last thing you want is for your dog to get tangled in fishing line or weeds and drown. Nor do you want your dog to be swept away in the current. The life preserver will also make it a little easier to swim if your dog has little body fat- afterall we all have lean and mean running machines with little body fat- right? By the way, bring a life preserver for yourself. Lastly, make sure your dog drinks plenty of fresh drinking water before you take a dip. You don't want your pooch drinking water from the river. Only God knows what toxins or impurities are in the water. So, go out and swim your pooch until he/she is tired and beat the heat.

Rollerblading- Rollerbading is great exercise for your coursing dog. Not only are you able to stay up with your dog (most people can't when they run/jog) it's a lot safer than bicycling or running your dog from the back of a car. I can't believe people run dogs from the back of a car. How safe can that be? First, you have to run them without a leash. Secondly, you are intoxicating the poor dog with exhaust fumes, Thirdly, you most likely have to run the dog on asphalt or stone which is NOT very good for their pads. Lastly, how safe can it be for someone to hang out from the back of an open speeding car- rediculous!
Anyway, I've had good results with rollerblading and to this date, knock on wood, no accidents for my dog or myself. But, here are some guidelines for rollerblading with your dog:

    a. Rollerblade in the early morning or late evening hours. It's much cooler for you and your dog. It's also easier on their pads.
    b. Don't forget to bring plenty of fresh, cool drinking water- for both of you.
    c. Wear protective equipment- helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads
    d. Try to Rollerblade in areas where there are no distractions i.e. other dogs, squirrels, rabbits, etc.
    e. Rollerblade your dog on grass if possible (see i.)
    f. Do NOT rollerblade in the street- you're asking for trouble- too many idiots on the road
    g. Do NOT use a long leash- I use a 6 ft. leash max. Long leashes will allow your dog to cross in front of you and you'll end up running them over.
    h. Always use a gentle leader or halti collar- unless you like being pulled or dragged around. These dogs are too strong to use a regular collar.
    i. Try to find a park with a walking/cycling path. Rollerblade on the asphalt path and try to train your dog to run on the grass right beside it. It's better for the dogs joints and pads.
    j. Do NOT run your dog fast. You want to gait/trot not gallop. Remember you're doing this for conditioning/training not for speed.
    k. Work up slowly to longer distances. I'd start with 2 miles and then up it 1 mile every week until you reach 5 miles. I don't know if you gain anything from going more than 5 miles at a time. Probably more harm than anything. Besides, my dog is usually pooped by the 4 mile mark and ready to lay down. Remember, you want to make this fun for the dog too.
    l. Always warm up and warm down before and after rollerblading.
    m. Do NOT stop while rollerblading. You want to let your dog know that this is business. If you make frequent stops to let your dog sniff then you'll never get him/her conditioned properly.
    n. Make it as fun as possible for your dog. Constantly praise your dog while rollerblading. I always let me dog know how much further we have to go. I really do believe she knows that we're almost done when I say, "Last mile.. one more to go..cmon girl"
    o. Always reward your dog afterwards with a nice casual walk where they can sniff till their hearts content. That is when it's really fun for them.
    p. Keep your dogs nails trimmed short.

Walking- There's not too much to say about walking other than you can't overdue it. If you want to get the most out of your walk, conditioning wise, walk at a face pace without stopping. That's right- no stops. Stopping to let your dog sniff has no conditioning benefit. Walk every day or twice a day and as far as time permits.

Ball playing or lure chasing- There's not a dog in the world that doesn't like to chase something. It's just their instinct. A word of caution however. When ball playing with your dog, try to use a small ball such as a tennis ball or baseball. I use to play in the backyard with a soccer ball and one day while my dog was chasing the ball she trounced on top of it while it was still rolling and rolled over and hurt her leg.
You can also tie a white trashbag (lure) to the end of a buggy whip, horse whip, fishing rod, etc. and have your pooch chase it around the backyard. I wouldn't do this for too long, however, or your dog might get tired of chasing that stupid white bag- and that's a No-No. Also, let him get the bag once in a while. You don't want to frustrate him/her. Keep the playing short, you don't want a bored dog either.

If anyone has any additional training/conditioning techniques that work for them, I'd appreciate it if you could email me so that I can include them on this list- thanks. Rob Muller