It is widely accepted that warming up reduces the risk of injury to muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints. A warm up plan including exercise, massage and stretching is a great way to help your dog. It is also important to cool your dog down after exercise, rather than putting them straight back into the crate.

Some benefits of warm-up are:-

• Raises heart rate in preparation for exercise

• Warmed muscles utilise oxygen and nutrients more effectively and can contract and relax more quickly

• Reduces risk of injury and stiffness

• Mentally prepares dog and handler for exercise. (Warm up is for you, too!)

Warm up for agility can include:-

• Taking your dog for a 15+ minute walk immediately before agility, with the opportunity to run free or play with a retrieve toy or tuggy. It is preferable for the dog to be able to gallop and stretch all their muscles prior to commencing agility work.

• At a show, facilities for warm up can be limited but, if possible, find an area where dogs are allowed off-lead. If this is not possible, then brisk lead walking for at least 15 minutes is recommended, followed by massage and stretching, if possible (see below).

Queuing:-

• While queuing, massage the major muscle groups which the dog is going to use – the neck, shoulder and triceps, chest, back, and all large muscle groups in the hind leg. This has a dual benefit of both preparing your dog’s muscles, and keeping him relatively calm – a calmer, attentive dog is better able to concentrate on you in the ring compared to one which shoots off like a coiled spring and does his own thing!

• You should also stretch your dog’s major muscle groups – see pictures.

• Massaging your dog will also reduce your own blood pressure and help avoid those pre-run nerves.

 Some benefits of cool-down are:-

• Helps the body to eliminate toxins such as lactic acid, consequently reducing the risk of stiffness after exercise.

• Gives an opportunity to identify signs of injury quickly after an event.

• Allows the heart rate to return to a resting level.

Cool-down after agility can include:-

• 5-10 minutes loose lead walking or gentle off-lead exercise Remember, you are trying to wind the dog down, so no balls or tuggy games!

• Massage and stretching of major muscle groups – hold stretches for 5-15 seconds.

If your dog  does become injured there are an array of physical treatments available, with many practitioners across the country. If your dog is obviously lame it is important to take them to a vet, but more subtle signs of injury or compensation may indicate a problem which can be successfully rectified by a qualified professional therapist. Popular treatments include McTimoney, Osteopathy, Massage, Reiki, Bowen, TTouch and Shiatsu.

Regular maintenance sessions can also reduce the risk of injury occurring in the first place. Please note: Veterinary authorisation must be obtained prior to any type of therapy treatment.

So, how do you know if your dog requires treatment?

Symptoms can include:-