High Performance Dog Food, Supplements and Nutritional Products

This essay is not designed to give the reader all the knowledge required to mill or condition dogs. Since I too am a student, such a challenge would be difficult or impossible to accomplish. The true masters of milling/conditioning would best accomplish a task of this magnitude.

My intentions are to (merely) touch upon the pros and cons of various K9 body types and how the differences apply to milling and sport. In addition, I hope the text that follows will motivate the student into using a Gravity Slat Mill and (perhaps) competing in a canine sport.

My personal definition of physical fitness is “The ability of man or beast to recover from hard work.” I feel in the area of recovery, the Gravity Slat Mill is far and away the first choice of serious dog people.

Within the science of conditioning, over – use is one of the primary ways to harm an athlete. To avoid over-use/injury problems, milling angles should be rotated. Issues of momentum, resistance and velocity should be varied as well as time durations. Rubbing your dog before and after exercise may also reduce potential injuries. In addition, the K-9 athlete should be encouraged to run forward and backwards. Running backwards is an advanced exercise. It is something I have developed over many years conditioning. It is especially effective for police dogs, or dogs doing serious protection / bite work. Reverse or backward milling builds an improved foundation for hard shaking. It stimulates most of the muscles of the spine including the cervical vertebrae and rear quarter. The abbreviated name for this discipline is the G&P. Once again the reverse movement or G&P is an advanced exercise and should not be used in the early stages of millwork. Should we decide to do a conditioning video, the G&P will be addressed at length.

The strategy of isolating the mill angles, the velocities, and the directions, will benefit all the muscle bellies germane to driving, drafting, grappling and running. In addition, a variety of internal organs will be stimulated (by milling) and they too will benefit.

We will spend several paragraphs examining body types and how these types impact sport and conditioning. Let us begin on a cellular level. A larger GSD has more cells to support and as a result more cells to feed. While the smaller

competition dog has fewer cells to feed and may have a better ratio of muscle to bone than a larger competition dog. Perhaps this ratio provides for rapid recovery in favor of the smaller athlete. Generally larger dogs need to get to the point where they can be pushed longer and harder. In reaching a higher recovery level they can better compete against the more streamlined types. With skill and hard work the larger dog's stamina level will approach that of smaller dogs. The Gravity Slat Mill (when used properly) may prove instrumental in closing the recovery gap!

Another significant conditioning obstacle is running hot or over – heating. The reason dogs over – heat (once again) goes back to the number of cells. Each cell in the dog's body combines oxygen and sugar, which is converted into heat. Simply put, the more cells the more heat! Consider this, the oral cavity is the primary cooling mechanism the dog has. In the case of bigger dogs their cooling limitations and cellular handicap are quite a conditioning challenge. Proof of this is highly visible in the hunting sports where dogs are capable of running 50 to 100 miles in one day.

Even in a cerebral sport like Schutzhund, physical recovery time is still an issue. Frequently the smaller less impressive GSD has the best scores. To the untrained eye these rather non - descript competitors are regarded as unimpressive. The Schutzhund competitor should realize an unfit dog maybe a less focused dog. Perhaps body mass and heavy bone maybe over-rated and possibly contributes to slower recovery as well a lack of focus. The historic success of the Dutch Shepherd And Belgian Malinois suggest more substance generally equals less performance. I am of the opinion, “Quicker recovery time appears to enhance focus.” A Slatted Gravity Mill maybe one of the better tools to acquire faster recovery time.

When milling a dog occasional sponging of the mouth, under belly and the dog's butt area will help keep the dog from running hot. As I have mentioned in previous essays remember to read the dog's oral cavity. Rectal temperatures are another good method to guarantee a dog is not over-heating. Two other concerns are the athlete's nails and pads. Make certain the nails are short and pads are healthy and thick.

In closing, every healthy dog needs a job or some form of work. Sport provides a sense of purpose, enhancing and stimulating the dogs mind and body. In my opinion, the quintessential life for a dog consists of your affection, proper diet, and challenging work.

Some final thoughts, remember less mill time is always safer than too much mill time. Running the mill often times becomes a social event for the dogs and their owners. As a result time passes quickly. You must watch the clock as well as your dog. Remember to rub your dog before and after work. Rubbing makes the mill a pleasurable experience and is important for bonding. Never rely on the mill as a complete or total fitness solution. It is best not to leave a dog on a mill without supervision. When the dogs work is completed, always lower the dog gently to the ground. Allow the dog to drink some water, not too much! Take the dog for a cool - down walk. Provide the dog with more water.

One should never forget to nourish the dogs mind and spirit. With each challenge or obstacle facing your dog, include a generous dose of verbal anesthesia.

Martins K9 Formula offers 3 milling titles. For training or titling information, you may call us @ 516 671 9600.