Dog fitness isn't just about muscle mass: a fit, well-conditioned dog functions in a balanced way throughout its body and can better adapt to physical stress, whether it's sports, long walks, or simply an active, movement-rich lifestyle. But how do you build fitness, and how can we consciously help our dog achieve this?
What does fitness mean? Components of fitness
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Endurance (aerobic capacity): Endurance is the body's ability to produce energy for a prolonged period using oxygen at a moderate intensity. This component relies on efficient functioning of the cardiovascular system and lungs, as well as adequate oxygen supply to the muscles. Developing endurance is essential for sustained moderate-intensity exercise, such as longer walks or runs.
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Strength and muscle mass (anaerobic power): Muscle strength refers to short, intense bursts of exercise where energy is produced without oxygen (anaerobic). Developing muscle mass and strength is especially important for short, explosive movements, jumps, or quick changes of direction. These skills help the dog move more powerfully, quickly, and efficiently.
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Coordination: Coordination is the interaction between muscles and the nervous system that enables precise, coordinated movements. A dog with good coordination can maintain balance, overcome obstacles, and perform efficient movements during sports or daily activities.
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Flexibility and agility: Flexibility refers to the freedom of movement of the joints, which is essential for preventing injuries and maintaining natural movement. Good flexibility ensures that the dog is less stiff and can move into different positions.
Cardiovascular endurance versus muscle conditioning
It is important to distinguish between cardiovascular endurance and muscular fitness because these two affect different physiological systems and can be developed in different ways:
Cardiovascular endurance: This includes the efficiency of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, which transport oxygen to the muscles and remove carbon dioxide. A dog with good cardiovascular fitness can exercise longer, tire less quickly, and recover more quickly.
Muscle condition: This includes muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, and speed. Muscle condition determines how hard a dog can move, how well it controls its movements, and how quickly it can adapt to repeated exertion.
The combined development of both components is necessary to develop and maintain full condition, especially in sporting or working dogs, but is also essential for maintaining the health of pets.
A dog in good condition:
- doesn't get tired easily,
- not easily damaged,
- more resistant to heat,
- regenerates faster,
- and learn more effectively, perform better in sports or in everyday life.
How quickly do you get fit?
Building fitness doesn't happen overnight. The body needs time to adapt to new demands. Based on average fitness, the first measurable changes are visible after about 4-6 weeks of regular, gradual training, while a lasting, stable fitness level is built up with months of consistent training.
How does development work? The role of supercompensation
A key concept in fitness development is supercompensation . This means that after a workout, the body not only returns to its original state but also rises to a slightly higher level, as if preparing for the next load.
In practice this looks like this:
- Training: physical exertion, that is, muscular work, endurance, or activity of the nervous system.
- Regeneration: rest, active walking, stretching, massage, sleep, good nutrition.
- Supercompensation: the body "overcompensates" a little - it develops.
Development is optimal when the new training hits the dog precisely at this supercompensated stage. If we retrain too early, the body hasn't yet recovered, meaning overload occurs. If it's too late, the body returns to its starting level, and the desired development isn't achieved.
What helps build fitness?
- Graduality: gradually increasing load.
- Variation: combine exercises for endurance, strength and coordination.
- Sufficient rest period: at least 1-2 days between heavier training sessions.
- Regeneration techniques: stretching, massage, gentle movements, aids.
- Good nutrition and supplements: amino acids, vitamins, joint protectors, supplements to support connective tissue
What hinders development?
- Excessive or one-sided loading (e.g. running alone, every day)
- Lack of regeneration
- Musculoskeletal problems, hidden injuries
- Nutritional deficiencies
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Mental exhaustion, stress
What other tools can we use to support building fitness?
The role of exercise therapy
Exercise therapy, whether physiotherapy or hydrotherapy, is an excellent complement to fitness training. Physiotherapy uses targeted exercises, stretching, and massage to help muscle recovery, reduce stiffness, improve joint mobility, and restore ideal movement patterns.
Hydrotherapy, or therapy on an underwater treadmill, is also a good option. The water relieves pressure on the joints and helps muscles work more efficiently. This allows your dog to develop endurance and muscle strength in a safe environment.
Support for nutritional supplements
Nutritional supplements also play an important role in building fitness. Vitaltier Sport & Activity and Muscle & Tendon products support the health of athletic, active dogs with targeted active ingredients.
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Sports & Activity : This complex formula is packed with valuable amino acids that significantly promote muscle building and regeneration.
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Muscle & Tendon : Specially developed to support the proper functioning of muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints, with innovative ingredients such as silica, glucosamine and MSM.
These products complement training and exercise therapy and help keep your dog in the best possible condition.
Last thought
Building fitness in dogs is a long, conscious process. Never think of it as a sprint; it's more like a marathon. The foundation of development is a well-structured workload, active regeneration, and the owner's attention. If you keep all this in mind, your dog will not only be fitter, but also happier and more balanced – and you can both enjoy an active and healthy life for a long time to come.
Source: VitalTier.hu
