FITGym

FITNESS should be at the forefront of every dog sport undertaken for canine athletes. Along with love, respect and improving your relationship and teamwork, a carefully planned strengthening protocol can give handlers peace of mind that their dog is fully prepared to handle the physical challenges of a chosen sport. Or, in addition, help with a long and active life. 

This class follows a protocol developed by Robert J. Porter, CCRP. Rob is one of the first people in the world to obtain his Certification in Canine Rehabilitation from the University of Tennessee in 2001. His system is designed to help clients understand how to correctly and safely exercise their dogs so that they become stronger with the goal of reducing injury and improving performance. Rob’s dog, a Border Collie, plays disc dog and herds sheep.

The class is designed for the handler serious about their dogs’ strength and fitness. Instructor Paula Patton has a 40+ year passion for training and dog sports. After competing with German Shepherds and Belgian Tervurens in agility, obedience, conformation, herding, tracking, and other athletic activities for her dogs, Paula now focuses on fitness and tracking.  Join Instructor Paula Patton as she interprets Rob’s beginner program. Get your dog started on lifelong maximum fitness involving your dog’s core, balance, overall strength, cardio, flexibility and mental challenges! Her dogs, Archie and Spirit, will be glad to demonstrate their improved overall strength since undertaking Rob’s program. It also gets a paws up from them for sheer fun (and lots of treats)!!