Sports Retraining for Agility Athletes by Chris Zink, DVM, Phd and Debra Canapp, DVM, CCRT
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© SPORTHORSEPHOTOGRAPHY.NET Sports Retraining for Agility Athletes By Chris Zink, DVM, PhD and Debra Canapp, DVM, CCRT What is canine sports retraining? • Injuries that can occur in the canine How long is the sports retraining Essentially, sports retraining is the process athlete, such as cranial cruciate ligament period? of training the canine athlete to go from insufficiency, iliopsoas strain, medial This depends on many factors, including: shoulder instability, and so on being functional to being competitive. The dog’s age: Older dogs take a little longer A human athlete might have a physical • Various surgical techniques that are to regain their competition condition. therapist help him recover after an injury used for repair, such as the comparative The dog’s level of fitness when first or surgery, but will need the help of a risks and benefits of TPLO, TTA, and entering rehabilitation: Canine athletes sports medicine specialist to decide which extracapsular techniques for repair of have an edge over the average pet dog exercises, how many, and completion in cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency what order should be used to get back into because they usually are in better muscular • Principles of canine rehabilitation for condition for competition. Likewise, for condition. This is a significant advantage in developmental conditions, injuries and example, an agility dog that has had surgery rehabilitation and this advantage generally surgical repair in the canine athlete for a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament, shortens the sports retraining period. • will engage in a period of rehabilitation to Drugs that can affect a dog’s performance The nature of the injury/surgery/illness: strengthen the leg muscles and regain full • The sports in which dogs compete: It For example, a dog that has just been flexion and extension of the knee joint. At is particularly important that the sports diagnosed with Addison’s disease might that point, a sports retrainer can provide retrainer be actively competing in canine see a canine sports retrainer to get a plan at-home exercises and sport-specific sports and be familiar with current for training and competing in agility that training advice to help the dog regain his training techniques since they can affect will help minimize stress while maximizing competitive physical condition and train on your dog’s return to competition or the muscle strength and overall fitness. This the appropriate obstacles in the appropriate potential for later re-injury. In addition, dog may be able to compete within a few order to continue the strengthening process the sports retrainer should be very weeks of diagnosis. In contrast, a dog and prevent re-injury. familiar with the muscles that are used that has had surgery for medial shoulder for different aspects of the various canine instability will require very specific, What does a canine sports retrainer sports. need to know? progressive exercises to gradually increase weight-bearing and loading of the shoulder It is essential that a canine sports retrainer Which dogs need sports retraining? joint in the context of the specific sport(s) be knowledgeable about and have Any dog that has recovered from an in which the dog competes to protect significant experience with: injury/surgery/illness that has resulted in the shoulder from re-injury. The sports • Exercise physiology and nutrition for the deterioration of his physical condition will retraining period for this dog would be two canine athlete benefit from a sports retrainer’s assistance. to three months (in addition to a three- • Developmental conditions that affect a This will help move the dog to the next level month post surgical recovery period) or dog’s performance, such as hip or elbow of fitness in preparation for training for his longer depending on progress. dysplasia, osteochondrosis, and so on sport(s). February 08 | Clean Run 39 The length of time the dog has been unable clear jumps without overjumping or hitting minutes) and swimming long distances (as to exercise: The longer the muscle has the bar, do two-on/two-off contacts, and opposed to the in and out your dog does been allowed to atrophy (weaken), the weave accurately. Exercises that improve when retrieving in water, which provides longer retraining will take. proprioception include having the dog walk more of a strength workout). Performance over 15 to 20 jump poles randomly scattered events that require significant endurance What additional information do you on the ground, and having the dog step include mushing, herding, field trials, and consider when you establish an very slowly through the agility ladder. Most hunt tests. Performance events that have appropriate sports retraining regimen? dogs undergoing sports retraining can do both endurance and strength components • The age of the dog as much proprioception training as there is include tracking and lure coursing. time for or a wish to do, as long as your dog • Whether the dog is spayed/neutered and Skill training: This, of course, involves doesn’t get bored. if so, at what age retraining each of the skills and obstacles Strength exercises: The classical form that are a part of the canine sport. It is • What sports the dog competes in and at of strength training for humans is weight not that a dog that does two-on/two-off what levels (what titles the dog has) lifting. Dogs strength train by moving their contacts needs to be retrained how to do • The person’s goals in each sport bodies over short distances, particularly them, but that the dog needs to be eased • The dog’s structure, including angulation when they push against something that into performing that particular technique at front and rear, length of loin, length of provides resistance. Examples of strength the right time during the retraining period body relative to height at the withers, training include playing tug, walking, then to have the best chance of preventing re- amount of bone, and so on trotting, then cantering up hills, pulling injury. • The dog’s current level of fitness (muscle weights, wrestling with other dogs, and size and tone) performing stationary strength exercises What additional information should a such as begging or two-legged standing. sports retrainer provide? • What kinds of exercise the dog and Stationary exercises are particularly helpful The sports retrainer should look at your dog his handler enjoyed when the dog was in the early stages of sports retraining “whole-istically.” In addition to providing healthy because they strengthen targeted muscles information on fitness exercises and sports- • Previous injuries or illnesses the dog has without the disadvantage of impact. specific training, the sports retrainer should experienced, including stresses on other For example, begging can be used as advise you on the following: parts of the body due to compensation for a stationary exercise to strengthen the Diet: Your dog’s diet and any changes that the current condition abdominal and paraspinal muscles to might be made to improve healing and • What food, supplements, and medications support the spine, the control center for promote muscle strength. For example, the the dog is getting all your dog’s agility movements. Getting a sports retrainer may advise you on levels • Types of footing on which the dog will be dog to stand after begging without putting and digestibility of proteins and fats in your retraining the front feet on the ground strengthens dog’s diet to help provide the building blocks the rear leg muscles that are so important for healing and energy for exercise. for speed and jumping. Waving is a What are some examples of sports Supplements: Nutritional or other retraining exercises? stationary exercise that strengthens the supplements that might aid in healing or These can be divided into four broad front limbs. Performance events that require prevent additional injury. A sports retrainer categories. Dogs undergoing sports predominantly strength include flyball, might provide advice on whether your retraining should be provided with an obedience, agility, and terrier earth trials. dog should be taking joint-protective appropriate combination of: Endurance exercises: This kind of exercise nutraceuticals, for example, as well as Proprioception exercises: Proprioception gets the heart beating faster and the lungs which ones are best and what dose is is the knowledge of where our body parts breathing harder to supply more oxygen appropriate for your dog. to the muscles to help produce energy for are in space. There are special nerves Body work: What body work, such as for proprioception and, as with other contraction. Examples of aerobic training massage, heat/ice treatments, and so on nerves, they can be trained. As you can for humans include running, step exercises, you should provide to promote healing and imagine, strong proprioceptive abilities or riding an exercise bicycle. The most prevent re-injury. are critical for agility dogs that need to common aerobic exercises for dogs are trotting long distances (for longer than 20 M. Christine Zink, DVM, PhD is veterinary sports retrainer and consultant on canine fitness. She is author of numerous books and DVDs on the care and training of the canine athlete. Her newest book, The Agility Advantage, published by Clean Run was released in January 2008. Dr. Zink runs a Border Collie and a Norwich Terrier in agility; contact her via www.caninesports.com. Believing in the necessity of incorporating rehabilitation into veterinary practice, Debra Canapp, DVM, has completed the veterinary rehabilitation course in Florida and is a certified canine rehabilitation therapist (CCRT). She is currently certified in small animal acupuncture and practices Chinese medicine as well. After having recently completed her veterinary orthopedic manipulation course, she is working on this certification as well. Dr. Canapp plans to become certified in chiropractic later in 2008 to expand the services offered in aiding rehabilitation in the practice of small animal medicine.