Canicross
An easy, dog-powered sport
What is canicross
Canicross is getting out with your best friend and doing what they love best – running. Originating in Europe as off-season training for the mushing, canicross is the sport of running off-road with your dog. Canicross not only is a great method to get you and your pooch fit, but it works the dog’s mind and allows them to use their brain in a work mode.
Who can do it and how often?
Any breed of dog, large or small, can do canicross. All dogs love to run and tapping into their natural instinct means canicross requires very little, if any training. Both you and your dog can start from scratch, ideally committing to two sessions a week.
You and your dog will have a more enjoyable run if you plan your route to include some green spaces. If you live in a town, try to minimize running on hard surfaces.
A lot of canicrossers use mushers terms to help drive their dog. You can use any term you wish, so long as your dog understands and you are consistent with what you say and how you say it. Basic commands include go gee (go right), go haw (go left), forward, and stop.
Equipment
There are four main items you ideally need for canicross: running shoes with good traction and support, a dog harness, a waist belt, and a line with a bungee section to ensure that both you and your dog have some ‘bounce’ in the line and to prevent sharp movements which could otherwise cause injury.
Our services
Canicross
For dog owners who don’t have the time during the work week to ensure their pooches get all the movement and fun they need, we take on the coaching role for them. We work on teaching your dogs basic commands, to run, to pull, and make sure they get back home well exercised, so that you can enjoy their company when you return from work. We recommend two sessions a week.
Rehabilitation and conditioning alternative
Running, agility and other high-impact activities are not suitable for dogs with disorders of the musculoskeletal system (like hip dysplasia and degenerative joint disease), as well as overweight dogs. Dogs with health limitations still need a safe way to exercise!
This is why we also offer an alternative for overweight dogs as well as high-energy pooches who require intensive exercise in a limited amount of time. We can design a tailored training regime that works with your dog’s particular health issues and needs.
The low-impact alternative involves slow, safe movement with weight, at least twice a week. Following a warm up, the trainer attaches weight to the dog’s harness. Dogs can train with as much as a third of their body weight. Weight pulling is a great way to build up muscle mass for dogs who are not suitable for high-impact exercise, but it’s also a very effective way to tire your high-energy pooch!
For prices and more details, check out www.pawz.cz.
