fitness &
exercise
Fitness and Exercise Benefits
Overall Health
Core strength
Conditioning
Endurance
Optimal performance
Prevents injuries
Longer working life
It’s fun! Dogs love fitness games
Health and body condition
Working animals must be in prime condition
Lean, healthy weight, ideal score of 4–5 on a 9 point scale.
This means a dog’s ribs and bones can be easily felt, the dog has a clearly defined waistline and tuck behind their ribs, and ribs and muscling are clearly defined.
Did you know that your dog can live TWO YEARS longer if they’re at a healthy weight? Feed less, excercise more – it’s the easiest way to keep your dog in top condition!
Changing body score affects life span
• 5 vs 7 = 2 years of life!
“Too thin” is quite rare, it is normal to see ribs and muscles on short coated dogs in good condition
PLEASE DO NOT JUDGE OR SHAME OTHERS! Be kind and informative rather than judgmental.
Learn about the Purina Body Condition System by downloading the pdf information sheet, or view the YouTube link.
eService Dog Fitness is New
There are programs that have already been developed for canine athletes, military working dogs, and for law enforcement K-9s. We can borrow from these well-researched and successful programs and adapt them to our hard-working Mobility Dogs.
Check out the resources below that are available online for free.
Additionally, Atlas Assistance Dogs has developed an online service dog specific dog fitness course that considers disabilities.
Let’s Ponder . . .
How can we integrate fitness into routine life? We understand that life is hectic, especially with a disability. We encourage you to find ways to make fitness a fun and routine part of having a service dog. Here are a few ideas:
- Long walks or jogs; Pacing along with a scooter/power wheelchair
- Recruit a friend or family member to help!
- Swimming
- Treadmill
- Play dates (with safe, friendly dogs, of course!)
- Dog sports such as agility
- Play games tossing treats to encourage physical activity
- Simple guided exercises at home, check out the resources below
Fitness and fun – watch the videos to pick up tips
Atlas Assistance Dogs Fitness Courses
Fitness Training
Available for visitors to our website at $250 (Regular price $325).
Fitness Essentials
Available for visitors to our website at $150 (regular price $195).
To receive the discounted price on the Fitness Training, and Dog Fitness Essentials courses, mention you were “Referred from MDRG” in the Discount Code field!
FREE Fitness and Exercise Resources
Free training resources and videos.
NOTE: This article is super academic, but the strength building exercises have good diagrams and descriptions that are not on the Youtube channel as of this presentation
Penn Vet Working Dog Center
Canimetrics (formerly Fit for Life)
- Excellent FREE resource for working dogs
- Easy daily stretches and exercises
- No fancy equipment needed
