Laurie's Blogs.

Does the dog have an 'off season'?

A few weeks ago I receive an invitation from a client of mine to join a Facebook group dedicated to canine conditioning and training. I'm not much of one to participate in such things, but I figured I should accept the invitation and if need be, I could always leave the group if it was too crazy. What I have found about being on this group so far, is that it is really interesting to see what these sport-dog folks are asking, thinking, doing, and wanting. And from that perspective alone, it's been worthwhile to be a lurker (and more recently, an occasional poster too).

But what I want to talk about this week pertains to a discussion that has come up in regards to taking time off / away from sport. And the discussions are fascinating… within this chat group, but also in relation to some blogs that are being cited that talk about this topic, and the suggestions being made.

Now, I will be upfront about this… I have never been asked these questions:

Should I take time off of training?
For how long?
And what can I do during that time?

And as such, I have never given them the time of day in my thinking!! But because of this, I wanted to share with you what the blogs and discussions revealed.

So, two blogs have been brought to my attention recently:

or from the same blogger: http://thecognitivecanine.wordpress.com/2014/07/21/844/

Here are the key points brought forth in these blogs:

Most agility organizations (at least in the US & Canada) have a national event at some point in their year… and there is no set 'off season' for agility, with events being available year round, (and training classes being held for at least 1/2 if not 3/4 of the year).
Typically human athletes have an 'off season'. They train, build themselves up, compete and get to their final event, and then take time off. (Time off could be 1 - 2 months, or if you're a professional athlete, then 6 - 7 months off). But this doesn't happen in canine agility.
The 'off season' for human athletes is often comprised of conditioning, cross-training, and maintaining fitness.
Ideally canine athletes should get an 'off season' after their national event or highest level of competition.
Off season conditioning should occur year round and include strength work, core work and cardiac / endurance work… but most importantly not pushing the dogs to do more than they should or are presently capable of.

Take time to just 'be' with your dog instead of training, training, training. Go for a hike.
Overtraining also has the potential to cause burnout, which can cause physical injuries as well as lacklustre performance.
Choose quality trials versus a quantity of trials (with the latter sometimes being the choice of those trying to pursue qualifications to attend national events.)
Choose quality food, quality care (including rehab professionals), and attend to your dogs' mental health as well.

Okay, so that is the gist of these blogs. Now to the discussion that ensued…

Top level handlers will often take a couple of months off of training / competing (continuing with conditioning and letting dogs just be dogs). Sometimes the novice handlers do not take time away.
Agility handlers should consider getting more than one dog so that they can spread out the work load if they themselves are 'addicted' to the sport.
People cited taking 1 - 3 months off per year with 30 days being a minimum 'off-season' where cross training is performed and NO agility skills are practiced. Another person stated that her rehab person told her that a 6-week minimum is needed for muscle restoration.
Cross training thoughts: swimming, frisbee, ball, games, nose-work, impulse control, heeling, new tricks, strength and conditioning work, crate games, jogging, hiking, contact work on a flat plank, start line stays, other sports such as dock diving or obedience, and just family time spent walking, hiking, camping, boating, or off-leash runs with friends.
More cross training ideas: Land treadmill fun, Fitpaws work, or snow shoeing
And if need be, don't bring your dog to class, ask if you could audit a round of classes instead.

So this is what has been trending on Facebook for the canine sporting folks. And I think it's wise to be aware of what your clients or potential clients are hearing, thinking about or doing. I know that it's been eye-opening for me and I am delighted that I've been given a glimpse into this side of things. I hope you have found this information useful and that you will also find benefit in or inspiration to be 'lurking' on some of these dog-owner chat groups yourself!

Cheers!

Laurie

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