Santa brought us a new look!
The mission
behind Love Dogs. Stretch Dogs. will always be to provide our pets with the highest research-quality stretch information
available. From the start, this vision was ready to expand to the other two important properties of muscle; strength
and endurance. Instead of writing the book first, we're putting the push cart full of dog presents (including Patricia
McConnell's "Tale of Two Species" from Dogwise) before the horse (who gets a present, too), and teaching a
Strength & Conditioning class.
To better reflect this expanded vision Santa brought us a new trade name, Canine Fitness Zone. The mission of the
Zone is to provide our pets with the highest research-quality stretch, strength, and conditioning information available. We've
all had a chance to see what the research-based stretch method looks like, so let me give you a peek inside the Strength &
Conditioning class.
When
it comes to training muscle fibers to optimize movement there some well founded principles. Specificity of training
states that for a given task (controlling descent on the A-frame), the muscles must be trained in that activity (practicing
descent control). The principle of overload states that if a muscle fiber is to improve for the specific
activity it must be overloaded (descent + training technique). This overloaded muscle then needs time to recover. In the recovery
phase the muscle will adapt and become better at its given task (rest at home, run around chasing squirrels). Most
importantly, if the task is not completed consistently, the adaptation in the muscle will reverse back to
the weaker state (chase squirels for 4 weeks, lose previously gained descent control).
The Strength & Conditioning class will be founded on these principles. In addition
the class will also include important neurological training principles to improve coordination, proprioception, and balance
creating more agile animals who are better able to react to their environment. The class is designed so that some portions
(eccentric and concentric core stabilization) are completed as a group. Other portions (neuro and balance work) are completed
in stations allowing individuals who complete to complete the tasks in activity specific ways (agility dogs will not want
to be trained to go 'under' a bar).
All dogs who have been screened by their veterinarian are welcome to attend both Stretch the Dog! and Strength &
Conditioning. We may add a bariatric class in the spring based on need.
We look forward to offering this class to the community. I'm also looking forward
to sharing the Proprioception Box, a balance training tool currently in the design phase.
Strength & Conditioning is 6pm Thursday evenings, Come, Play,
Stay, 3801 South Mason Street, Fort Collins, walk-ins $15, punch cards $12.
