Canine Conditioning

Fitness is important for dogs, too!

Targeted exercise is an important aspect of keeping your dog fit and healthy, both in their younger years and as they age. Optimize your dog's performance - and quality of life - with a customized conditioning program designed by a certified professional canine fitness trainer. A well-designed fitness plan can help your dog reach their potential by improving their strength, balance, body awareness and proprioception, flexibility, and confidence.

Please note: Before you can start a conditioning program with your dog, they will need to receive health clearance from your veterinarian. We will provide you with a veterinary clearance form which your vet can complete online.

How does it work?

We make canine fitness easy for you and your dog to achieve!

Comprehensive Initial Evaluation

Once your dog has received health clearance from your veterinarian, the initial evaluation can be scheduled. This comprehensive assessment will examine all aspects of your dog's structure, gait, and current level of fitness, and will also include a discussion of your fitness goals.

Tailored Program Design

We will create a customized fitness program for your dog based on the results of their evaluation, as well as your goals for them. Whether you want to improve your sport dog's performance or get your hiking companion in shape for the season, we can help you achieve your goals!

Detailed Feedback

While we have various conditioning packages available, all come with detailed exercise descriptions and demo videos to ensure correct form and optimal benefit. Depending on your package, you may also submit up to 2 minutes of video footage per week to be evaluated by us.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is canine conditioning only for sport dogs?

Not at all! Any dog can benefit from canine conditioning and are welcome to participate, as long as they are healthy and have received veterinary clearance to participate in a fitness program. Dogs participating in a conditioning program can potentially gain improved balance, body awareness and proprioception, flexibility, strength, and endurance. Conditioning can also help enable shy dogs to become more confident.

What's involved in the initial evaluation?

Once your dog has received veterinary clearance to participate in a conditioning program, the initial evaluation can be scheduled. The initial evaluation typically lasts 1-1.5 hours and is a multi-step process starting with a discussion of your dog's medical history, the activities they participate in, any known problem areas, and your fitness/performance goals for them. During this discussion, your dog will be allowed to acclimate to the building and I will observe their free movement, posture, etc. If they are comfortable with handling, I may palpate their limbs and musculature checking for areas of discomfort, asymmetry, etc., as well as taking a baseline heart rate and respiratory rate.

Your dog will be asked to stand, sit, and lie down, and walk and trot in a straight line, so that I can observe their normal posture and identify any structural weaknesses or postural/gait abnormalities. I will also take "baseline photos" of your dog standing and sitting (and lying down if that is a trouble area) as well as videos of your dog walking and trotting.

From this information, I will formulate a targeted exercise plan tailored to your dog's strengths and weaknesses that takes into account any special requirements of both you and your dog. We will go over the exercises for the first week of your program, providing you and your dog with instruction so that you can be successful when performing the exercises at home.

Following the appointment, a summary of the evaluation findings, including the collected photos and videos, will be emailed to you along with your dog's exercise plan. Relevant infographics, exercise form graphics, and an exercise tracker will also be emailed to you.

Can canine conditioning prevent injuries?

No. While ensuring your dog is in peak physical condition may help to decrease the likelihood of them being injured, conditioning cannot prevent injuries. However, if your dog were to become injured, being strong and physically fit prior to the injury can potentially help speed their recovery.

Can you create a program for my dog who's recovering from an injury?

No. Canine conditioning is only for healthy, uninjured dogs who have received clearance from their veterinarian to participate in a fitness program. Conditioning is not appropriate for dogs rehabbing from surgery or an acute injury. If your dog is currently injured or recovering from surgery or an injury, they will not be able to begin a fitness program until after they have been released from their rehab program and/or cleared to return to normal activity by your rehab veterinarian or surgeon.

I don't want to purchase a package. Can conditioning sessions be purchased separately?

Absolutely! If you do not wish to purchase a package and would prefer to pay for individual sessions, that is completely fine.
Our fee schedule for canine conditioning is below:

Initial Evaluation (1.5 hours): $110 (plus tax)
60-Minute Conditioning Session: $80 (plus tax)
30-Minute Conditioning Session: $50 (plus tax)

Package of Four 30-Minute Conditioning Sessions: $175 (plus tax)

Do you have specialized training in canine conditioning?

Yes, I do! I completed the comprehensive, 12-month Professional Canine Fitness Trainer certification program in 2023, instructed by the internationally renowned Dr. Deborah Gross Torraca of Wizard of Paws Physical Rehab. The program provided detailed instruction in anatomy and physiology, functional movement, and the creation of targeted, safe, and appropriate fitness plans based on each individual dog's strengths and weaknesses and the pet parent's goals. I was also required to complete four in-depth case studies and a written exam prior to earning my certification.

I am also currently enrolled in North Carolina State University's Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach certification program, and have completed additional independent study of anatomy and physiology, functional movement, and gait patterns.