This course will provide the participant with lecture and hands-on experience in which participants will be guided through a standardized canine fitness assessment, exercise form, and program design with live dogs. Hands-on experiences for selected equipment used in canine fitness and conditioning are incorporated including balance, strength, cardio, flexibility, and mental foundation elements. This course also provides the participant with the basic fitness assessment skills necessary to create an exercise program for dogs. Topics covered include basic exercise physiology, gait training, strengthening exercises, balance and proprioceptive exercises, and exercises for wellness/prevention. Outcome measures (Gulick circumferential measurements, etc.) will also be practiced in this course.

Learning Objectives:

Canine Exercise Anatomy (ASSESSMENT)

– Fitness Assessments – History, Evaluation, Behavior Cues & Body Tests
– Gait Evaluations
– Fitness Palpation

Correct Canine Fitness Exercise Form (TECHNIQUE)   
– Proper Technique, Position & Creative Encouragement
– Correlation of Form & Function
– When & Why to Refer to Professionals

Canine Behavior Techniques for Exercise (BEHAVIOR)
– Positive Reinforcement Encouraging Behavioral Transition
– Client & Canine Interactions

Develop Specific Canine Exercise Programs (PROGRAM DESIGN)
– Canine Life Stages & Special Canine Populations
– Target Specific Body Areas, Muscle Groups & Injury Prevention
– Exercise Progressions & Variables

Canine Equipment Guidelines (EQUIPMENT)
– Proper Use & Safety
– Equipment Use & Choice
– Canine Specific Equipment vs. Human Equipment

Canine Fitness Business Development (BUSINESS)
– Marketing Tools & Programs
– Best Practices for Canine Fitness Programs