| On Muscular Growth and Conditioning |
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| Written by Administrator | |
| Monday, 19 February 2007 | |
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Protein and exercise have mistakenly stolen the thunder from the primary ingredient needed in muscular growth -- Rest! Rest! Rest! Without adequate relaxation of muscle bellies and internal organs, recuperation and growth will be negated or even reverted.If a dog's muscle bellies are getting smaller and the animal appears listless (spiritless), take a rectal temperature reading which should be 101º - 102.5º. Check for hydration by tracing your index finger over the dogs gum line. The gum line should be moist and slippery. Another, probably less efficient hydration barometer is pulling the flesh in the rib cage area and determining by the speed in which it returns if a fluid or dehydration problem exists. If you are uncertain about reaching a correct conclusion; by performing a comparison test with other dogs in your Kennel it should provide you with a sound answer. Assuming, we are dealing with a low grade fever and some fluid loss, give your K-9 athlete a well earned rest! Walking a dog is absolute magic. Not only does it create a nice bond but it is a real calorie burner. Allow your dog to set the pace. If he wants to pull that's fine; this is about conditioning not obedience. Make sure he has a comfortable harness. If he seems real strong, lean back a bit and let him pull you. Gradual increases in distance every other day will harden a dog's body without having a catabolic or tearing down effect on tissue. Let him have fun. Keep talking to him and stop to pet his head now and then. If he sights or scents game, encourage him with praise. You can burn almost the same amount of calories walking as you can running a similar distance. Tread mills, turn tables, cat mills, etc. are great vehicles for explosiveness and power. You must be careful not to overuse this type of equipment. It is better to undershape than overcondition. Watch your dog's tongue. If it curls on the edges while he is being worked and looks like he might trip on it, stop his work. Smell his breath. If it has acetone odor he is being overtrained. Give him rest and ease up on severe or overly intense work. Walking, Walking, Walking! Twenty minute rub downs will get your hands in great shape and help your athlete to relax, recuperate, and really bond to you. |
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