Fitness Fun Classes
Canine fitness classes can help improve your dog's overall health, including their cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, and flexibility. They can also help mitigate common problems such as obesity, joint pain, and boredom. Dog fitness classes provide a great opportunity for guardians to bond with their furry friends and establish a positive and healthy relationship. It's a great opportunity to spend quality time together while working towards common goals. Just 15 minutes of proper exercise, 2–3 times per week, can significantly improve the health and wellness of our canine companions. Research has also shown dog athletes perform better in their field when they work on overall body conditioning between practices and competitions.
These classes are also AKC FitDOG approved and can be applied to your AKC Fitness Title.
Fitness Fun level 1: Introduction to canine fitness
Before a dog starts any kind of an exercise program they need to learn the basics to keep themselves from getting injured.
Fitness Fun level 1 will introduce students to the basics of canine fitness and conditioning. Exercise is important to help our dogs maintain healthy weight, strengthen muscles, improve mobility, and prevent injury throughout their lives. A fit dog is a healthy dog and healthy dogs live longer.
Fitness Fun level 1 will provide instruction on how to use a variety of equipment (brand named manufactured and items from home) safely to achieve the best results of fitness and conditioning for your dog. We will emphasize having fun with our dogs throughout their fitness journeys.
Prerequisites:
- Dog(s) must be at least one year old
- Dog(s) cannot be “reactive” and must be able to learn in a classroom environment
- Dogs with prior injuries or physical challenges need approval from their veterinarian before class starts
Fitness Fun level 2: More fit, more fun
In this class we will continue to learn individual fitness components to help you develop a fitness plan for your dog. We will also start to put some of those individual exercises together to demonstrate short routines that can provide all-over body conditioning as recommended by the University of Tennessee’s Certified Canine Fitness Trainer program.
We will continue to emphasize fun and use a variety of positive reinforcement techniques to build confidence within the dog.
Because we will be using wobbly equipment in such a way that the dog will need to be spotted/supported, an approved harness is required for this class. (Email for a list of approved harnesses.)
Prerequisites:
- Successful completion of Fitness Fun level 1
- Dog(s) cannot be “reactive” and must be able to learn in a classroom environment
- Dogs with prior injuries or physical challenges need approval from their veterinarian before class starts
Fitness Fun level 3: Doggy Gym
Advanced and personalized for continuing students
The schedule will be adjusted to allow each dog a unique experience on the fitness course. The dogs will be working individually, and off leash, practicing static and dynamic fitness exercises tailored to their unique needs.
Prerequisites:
- Successful completion of Fitness Fun level 2 or Instructor approval
- Dogs with prior injuries or physical challenges need approval from their veterinarian before class starts
Fitness Fun in the Park
Fitness routines can be done anywhere! Dog teams will visit 2 - 3 parks in the Gresham area where we will use the items in the park to expand on the fitness knowledge learned in the Fitness classroom. The activities practiced in this classroom may be eligible for a Title in Parkour from the International Dog Parkour Association.
This class will have a maximum of three students - sign up early.
All dogs MUST wear a harness in this class. Email us for a list of approved harnesses. (We’re partial to RuffWear’s Flagline, Web Master, and Switchbak Harnesses.)
“There’s no such thing as bad weather; only inappropriate clothing.” We will have class rain or sunshine; dress appropriately.
Prerequisites:
- Successful completion of Fitness Fun level 1
- Dog(s) cannot be “reactive” and must be able to learn in an outdoor environment with other dogs around
- Dogs with prior injuries or physical challenges need approval from their veterinarian before class starts
Fitness Fun for Seniors
Senior Dogs need exercise just as much as their younger friends. However, senior dogs have different fitness and conditioning needs.
Exercise helps dogs physically, as well as mentally. It’s no surprise that as dogs age they can’t always do the things they did in the past. It’s harder for senior bodies to maintain muscle the same way they did when younger. What may be a surprise is if you maintain a fitness routine with your senior or soon-to-be senior dog you may be able to give them the edge they need to stay a bit younger for a bit longer. (If you snooze, you lose, is very true in this case.)
Proper and safe exercises can help dogs keep their minds sharp, their bodies at a healthy weight, and provide them a “zest” for life.
Regardless of any physical limitations your senior may have, this six week course will help them, and you, add exercises in a program that is tailored uniquely for their life stage.
Prerequisites:
- Dog(s) cannot be “reactive” and must be able to learn in a classroom environment
- Dogs with prior injuries or physical challenges may need approval from their veterinarian before class starts
Private Lessons
Our dog instructor, Robynn Harris, is a Certified Canine Fitness Trainer. She is available for private fitness lessons and/or fitness assessments. Email us to learn more.
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