Biking Question
- Thread starter Linds
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Most of the time I let them choose. I will try to rev them up if they're being super pokey. If we are going at a reasonable pace but one (usually Squash) has slack in the tug, I will slow the scooter down to the slower dog's pace to tighten it up and even out the work, but otherwise the speed isn't important to me.
Most of the time they settle into a steady trot (Squash)/slow run (Maisy) on their own. But every once in awhile they see a deer or something and I go for a ride. As long as they're staying on the trail I just let them run.
Most of the time they settle into a steady trot (Squash)/slow run (Maisy) on their own. But every once in awhile they see a deer or something and I go for a ride. As long as they're staying on the trail I just let them run.
I have trouble with Traveler because he pretty much is ready to go full out the entire time. He'll slow down to a slower lope a couple times but within 30 seconds or so is straining to go full out again (Full extension) and I feel like I should be slowing him down a bit but, he recovers super fast and doesn't seem sore ever later on in the day.
I just got back from a five mile bike ride and four of those miles were done almost at a sprint, the other mile was warm up cool down and getting him to do that is a fight.
I just got back from a five mile bike ride and four of those miles were done almost at a sprint, the other mile was warm up cool down and getting him to do that is a fight.
He's super fit and has so much core strength, if he doesn't have problems I probably wouldn't worry too much about it. If you can't get him to slow down enough to warm him up in front of the bike, then just walk him around the block a couple of times before you head out.
I'm not a big fan of stretching muscles before exercise, but right after a run I always do some massage and some kind of... oh, vigorous scratching, I guess, of their thighs and lower backs, and some gentle hip and shoulder extension stretches both straight back and, in the back, with the hip slightly abducted (to the side, like a dog lifting his leg to pee). Then do a couple of front-feet-on-the-perch stretches when we get home.
I'm not a big fan of stretching muscles before exercise, but right after a run I always do some massage and some kind of... oh, vigorous scratching, I guess, of their thighs and lower backs, and some gentle hip and shoulder extension stretches both straight back and, in the back, with the hip slightly abducted (to the side, like a dog lifting his leg to pee). Then do a couple of front-feet-on-the-perch stretches when we get home.
Why don't you like this?
Most people I know in agility and some other sports, always do stretching for a proper "warm up" before a run. I've also been doing it with Recon for some time, but would definitely like to know if there's a reason I *shouldn't* be.
As for my dogs, I always start out with a fast trot - maybe for a block or two as a warm up. If they pull they get corrected (we are not pullers here, yet) and fall back into line. Then I let them choose the pace for the rest of the ride. Which is usually much, much, faster.
eta; here is a link to where I learned about stretching and the types we do, before and after exercise.
http://agilitynerd.com/blog/dog/health/SimpleStretches.html
Most people I know in agility and some other sports, always do stretching for a proper "warm up" before a run. I've also been doing it with Recon for some time, but would definitely like to know if there's a reason I *shouldn't* be.
As for my dogs, I always start out with a fast trot - maybe for a block or two as a warm up. If they pull they get corrected (we are not pullers here, yet) and fall back into line. Then I let them choose the pace for the rest of the ride. Which is usually much, much, faster.
eta; here is a link to where I learned about stretching and the types we do, before and after exercise.
http://agilitynerd.com/blog/dog/health/SimpleStretches.html
Well for both human and canine athletes, there are two schools of thought: Stretching cold muscles can injure them, or stretching before exercise can prevent injury.
Personally, I come down on the side of feeling that stretching cold muscles is more likely to injure them. There isn't strong evidence one way or the other with dogs as far as I'm aware, but based on my experiences with yoga practice it makes sense to me. Also, since my dogs aren't sprinters, rather they generally start at and maintain an even, steady pace throughout most of our runs, in some ways almost their whole workout could be considered a warm-up.
Personally, I come down on the side of feeling that stretching cold muscles is more likely to injure them. There isn't strong evidence one way or the other with dogs as far as I'm aware, but based on my experiences with yoga practice it makes sense to me. Also, since my dogs aren't sprinters, rather they generally start at and maintain an even, steady pace throughout most of our runs, in some ways almost their whole workout could be considered a warm-up.
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Well, we start out slow and then get anywhere from just a jog, to a sprint. Afterwards, we cool down- going slower and slower till I hop off the bike and just walk Roxie. She usually prefers to stay at a fast jog during the run, although sometimes I have to push her to go faster (like if it's starting to rain!).
If she is starting to pull, I pick up the pace. I prefer Roxie to be in the middle- between the leash on her collar, and the WalkyDog attached to her harness. She usually sets the pace.
If she is starting to pull, I pick up the pace. I prefer Roxie to be in the middle- between the leash on her collar, and the WalkyDog attached to her harness. She usually sets the pace.