Why does Canine Fitness Matter?
It’s important that your dog’s body knows how to automatically respond to sudden changes in position - whether due to a leap for a frisbee or a tumble off the couch - with power and efficiency.
Think of Canine Fitness as strength training or cross training for dogs - through repetition of static (holding a single position) and dynamic (multiple reps and sets) movements, we help our dogs get stronger, improve mobility and work on balance.
When we’re not just focused on cardio, we help our dogs get more comfortable with ALL of the movements they may encounter on a daily basis.
Whether you want to help your dog move more quickly, more precisely or just move more easily … Two Left Feet Canine Fitness can help!
Wondering if Canine Fitness is right for your dog?
It's more than a workout
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Reduce Injury Risk
Moving with control in unfamiliar directions strengthen small stabilizing muscles that help protect joints. Canine fitness also helps a dog’s brain to better communicate with the body during sudden changes in position and to correct/control the movement without injury.
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Improve Confidence
Allowing your dog to work at their own pace as they approach complicated (from the dogs’ perspective) movements on objects that shift, wobble and squish is a great way to fill their confidence ‘bucket.’ It also provides additional tools, as a handler, to use in stressful environments.
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Bond with your pup
When training is 100% dog-led, you learn quickly to tell when they're nervous, sore or just not into training today. Your dog controls the session and your job, as the handler, is to anticipate and understand what your dog is feeling and adjust exercises and your overall training to the dog in front of you at that minute
Canine fitness should not and cannot replace veterinary oversight for acute or chronic conditions. A fitness routine should only be implemented after release to do so from your veterinarian.
Injuries happen …
Two Left Feet can help!
Just like in humans, the most physically fit canine can still get injured. But even if injury wasn’t entirely prevented, canine fitness can help the recovery process:
Strong joints and proprioception developed during ‘pre-hab’ can reduce the severity of injury
Existing strength and neuromuscular pathways rebuild muscle faster
Spend all of your rehab time working; no wasted time learning new movements (in a now painful body)
Help manage REACTIVITY
Of course canine fitness will not solve reactivity … but it can help!
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Trainers often suggest eliminating walks while you work on reactivity. The circuits you learn with Two Left Feet can all be done in your living room - giving you the opportunity to work with your dog, without sending them into a stressful environment.
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The simple movements involved in canine fitness provide additional tools for you, as a handler, to help your dog cope with new situations and triggers.
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We know that a lot of reactivity comes from anxiousness and fear of the 'unknown.' Two Left Feet provides simple, surmountable challenges that help your dog work on how they handle stress - but in a safe environment without triggers.
(Note: Two Left Feet cannot specifically address reactivity issues in class, but we make sure to give every dog plenty of room! If you’ve got the skills to manage your pup’s big feelings, we can make a spot for you!)
