Kyra Sundance - Kyras Canine Conditioning: Games and Exercises for a Healthier, Happier Dog

Peak Performance Injury Prevention Coordination Flexibility Rehabilitation

CANINE FITNESS EXPERT

NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR

KYRA SUNDANCE

KYRA SUNDANCE is an award-winning and internationally best-selling author with over a million copies in print. Honed through decades of professional experience, Kyras easy-to-follow instructions are the most effective and humane way to train, using positive methods which foster confident, happy dogs.

As CEO of Do More With Your Dog!, the certifying body for Canine Conditioning Coaches, Kyra leads widely popular fitness workshops which train students to develop their dogs physical abilities. Now you can experience Kyras Canine Conditioning workshop in the palm of your hand with this superbly illustrated, step-by-step guided manual.

Kyra is a professional set trainer for movie dogs, and a professional stunt dog performer starring in shows for the king of Morocco, Disneys Hollywood stage shows, circuses, NBA halftime shows, on The Tonight Show, Ellen, and numerous TV shows and movies.

Kyra is nationally ranked in competitive dog sports, a former gymnast, and an avid runner with over 20 trail marathons and ultramarathons under he belt.

Jadie and Kimba are also avid trail runners. Jadie recently got a pacemaker and enjoys her canine conditioning exercises.

DoMoreWithYourDog.com

Physical fitness is just as important for dogs as it is for people. Improving a dogs fitness and health can increase their lifespan and limit vet visits as they get older. It reduces their risk of sports-related injury, joint problems, and arthritis. Dogs who are conditioned and healthy tend to live happier and more playful lives.

Exercise benefits a dog at every life stage. Puppies can improve their coordination, confidence, and mental focus while senior dogs can work on their strength and balance.

KYRAS CANINE CONDITIONING WORKSHOPS

Kyras world-renowned books and dog training programs have reached over a million people worldwide. An athlete herself, Kyras passion for canine fitness led her to develop the widely popular Canine Conditioning Coach workshops which instruct dog owners on correct, safe, and enjoyable techniques for improving their dogs fitness.

Now, you can get this same knowledge in the palm of your hand, with this book.

A GUIDED STRATEGY OF CONDITIONING

This book is split into four levels of increasing difficulty. Each level builds upon previous skills with exercises that have been vetted to be effective and safe. Learn innovative ways to work with props such as hoops, balls, inflatables, and ladders as your dog improves in five components of fitness: flexibility, balance, stamina, coordination, and strength. Step-by-step instructions and photos are easy to follow and to execute.

Give your dog a new leash on life and turn the page to fitness!

The 5 Fitness Components

A physically fit dog is conditioned in five areas. As canine conditioning coaches, we look at fitness as a whole, addressing each of the components with targeted exercises.

Many exercises demonstrated in this book will benefit more than one of the fitness components at the same time.

FLEXIBILITY

Flexibility is the ability to move joints through a complete range of motion. We increase a dogs flexibility through stretching exercises that lengthen the muscles.

BALANCE

Balance is the dogs ability to evenly distribute his weight in order to remain upright and steady. It aids in injury prevention and is a strengthening technique in Instability Training.

STAMINA

Stamina (also called cardio) is a dogs ability to remain active for a long period of time, such as by jogging. Increasing endurance decreases anxiety and stress and reduces chronic diseases.

COORDINATION

Proprioception (also called coordination) is sometimes called our sixth sense. It is our ability to know where our body parts are, even in a dark room. Proprioception is a key component in fitness therapy. It allows our dog to learn new motor skills, and develop muscle memory. Training can vastly improve this sense.

STRENGTH

Strength is short-term explosive power, such as jumping over a high hurdle. Strength training protects bone health and muscle mass and is especially important for senior dogs to combat age-related muscle loss.

Assessing the Dog

An assessment of a dogs physiology is not necessarily a judgment on the perfection of the dog. Some breeds have long, thin limbs designed for speed, while others have wide shoulders designed for strength. We strive to design conditioning plans that strengthen weak areas and benefit each dogs unique physiology. Abnormalities should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

DOG SKELETAL STRUCTURE

The skeletal system is the dogs structural foundation. It consists of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. Long bones have growth plates that produce cartilage, which is converted to bone as the dog grows. At puberty, this bone growth slows, and the growth plates close when the dog reaches physical maturity, allowing no further growth. We want to avoid repetitive motion and high impact exercises before the dogs growth plates have closed.