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Pulling Sports - Injury Prevention
For all the benefits that come from canine pulling sports, there is ample opportunity for injury as well. Obviously, running long distances and overdoing strength training can be a recipe for injury for any athlete. However, the various pulling sports actually provide significant health benefits and preventing injury is simply a matter of good preparation and communication with your dog.
Pulling develops muscles that reduce deterioration in dogs with hip dysplasia. Those muscles provide support and cushioning to the hip, and the more developed they are, the better. Most breeds of dogs are made to work, and the pulling sports are an excellent way to feed that need for them. A dog with work to do is happier, better adjusted, and has fewer behavioral problems than a bored dog. And, the time you spend together doing a positive, bonding sport, the happier both you and your dog will be.
The one rule to avoid injury in canicross is to stay off the road. A hard surface is dangerous to both your and your dog’s feet, ankles, and knees. Offroad paths are much safer, and a fairly narrow dirt path can make it easier for your dog to stay focused on where he or she is going.
It is also important to learn your dog’s signals for when he or she has had enough. Most dogs will keep working long after they should, which is obviously a potential danger. Keep an eye on the dog’s gait and movement...if you see any changes, stop immediately and give the dog a break. Be sure to carry plenty of water for both of you, and start out with easy, level, short distances to learn your dog’s normal versus abnormal behaviors.
Jogging with a dog on a leash is not the same as running him or her in a harness. The harness requires different muscle groups and, with canicross in particular, your dog is doing the extra work of pulling you for that fraction of a second that you are completely off the ground. Those fractions add up to a much harder job for your dog. It is always better to stop early than to push too far...your dog will be far more eager for the next training session if they tend to end on a positive note.
Check out the best products available in pulling sports equipment at the AthleticDogs.com store!
