[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Conditioning
- From: SUSAN SULLIVAN <susan-sullivan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 16:26:57 -0800 (PST)
The best conditioning, by far, is giving the dog the opportunity to tend
sheep. An hour on a big graze confining sheep a couple times a week, really
works everything the dog should have. The dogs move at their own speed, no
lead, up and down hills, shortening and lengthening their strides as necessary.
Tightens ligaments, tightens backs, even tightens feet. And the best thing
about it, it allows the dog to exercise his mind. He/she needs to think about
where he or she needs to be at all time. I've seen it work miracles on older
dogs. And the best part is watching the dog do "his thing" and seeing the
standard come to life.
Susan
PS This is not the gather fetch type of work you see on the A course in AKC
trials, but what the dogs did in Germany when Von Stephanitz first saw them.
Susan w. Sullivan
Firethorn Farm
German Shepherd Dogs
Where Form Follows Function
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