Tui Na For Dog Endurance Training

Boost your dog’s endurance this spring with Tui Na, an ancient Chinese acupressure-massage technique. 

The days are getting longer, the weather warming up. It’s the perfect time to help your dog build endurance for outdoor activities. Are you gearing up for long walks, hikes, or runs? Enhancing your dog’s stamina benefits both his health and well-being. Let’s explore how Tui Na for dog endurance training can help improve your best friend’s resilience. 

Canine conditioning for building endurance

If you need help evaluating your dog’s muscle tone and overall fitness, consult a qualified canine sports/veterinary physical therapist or rehabilitation professional. These experts consider many factors, including your dog’s age, temperament, nutrient intake, and current physical fitness. They also assess previous injuries, breed tendencies, and more. 

After a comprehensive assessment, these specialists can develop an appropriate fitness plan for your dog.

If you feel you don’t need to work with a canine conditioning professional, the watchword for all conditioning programs is “slowly.” Building stamina is a slow process, especially at first, no matter what your goal is for spring training. 

If you have a puppy, playing and walking is enough until she is fully developed. Senior dogs may not be comfortable with high-impact exercise. Adjust the intensity level based on your dog’s current performance and recovery rate. Keep in mind that rest and recovery are just as important as walking, jogging, or running.

Fast Fact: To build cardiovascular fitness, professionals often suggest “interval training.” 

Interval training may start with a brisk walk, followed by a short burst of running for 30 seconds to one minute. After that, allow your dog to recover with slower walking or light jogging. Most fitness plans start with one or two training days per week and gradually increase frequency and intensity by 10% to 15% each week. 

How Tui Na benefits endurance-building routines 

Tui Na, an ancient Chinese acupressure-massage, actively supports your dog’s fitness training routine safely and effectively. These gentle techniques stimulate the flow of Chi (energy) and other vital substances, promote relaxation, and improve circulation and recovery.

Tui Na is a beneficial addition to all endurance-building routines, from start to finish:

• Before training:

  A brief Tui Na session before a workout warms up and loosens muscles, promotes circulation, and prepares your dog’s body for physical activity. This is especially helpful for older dogs or those new to endurance training, as it prepares their bodies to move fluidly.

• Post-exercise recovery:

  After an intense training session or long walk, Tui Na actively aids muscle recovery. These techniques ease tight muscles, reduce stiffness, and promote blood flow to deliver oxygen and nutrients, aiding recovery. 

Fast Fact: Incorporating Tui Na after exercise alleviates soreness, reduces the risk of injury, and ensures your dog is ready for the next endurance-training session.

• Ongoing maintenance:

  As spring folds into summer, and you and your dog continue to enjoy your outdoor fitness program, don’t stop adding Tui Na to the regimen. 

Dogs with regular training or high activity levels benefit from Tui Na once or twice a week. It helps maintain flexibility, reduces muscle tension, and improves joint health. Studies have shown that ongoing exercise can greatly enhance your dog’s quality of life and longevity.

Try these two Tui Na techniques

These Tui Na techniques are warming and stimulating. They’re a great introduction to this ancient Chinese method of promoting healthy blood and Chi circulation: 

1. Mo Fa is a gentle, superficial, circular-rubbing technique. Rest one hand comfortably anywhere on your dog. For medium and large-sized dogs, use your other hand to place your palm on the dog’s larger muscle masses, such as the shoulders, hind legs, neck, and barrel. For smaller dogs, use the soft pad of your thumb or forefinger. 

Move your hand or finger in a small clockwise circle. Begin slowly with light pressure and, if the dog is comfortable, increase the speed and pressure for about one to two minutes. Repeat on the opposite side of your dog.

     2. Tui Fa is commonly used to stimulate the movement of Chi and blood. It’s known as a “pushing” technique. Rest one hand comfortably on the dog. For medium and large-sized dogs, use the heel of your opposite hand and for smaller dogs use the soft tip of your thumb or forefinger. 

Gently glide down and up the dog’s hind limb or shoulder muscles. Start with light pressure and continue to increase the pressure to where your dog appears comfortable for at least one minute. 

Fast Fact: You can easily apply Tui Fa along the dog’s neck and back as well.

The beauty of Tui Na for dog endurance training is that you are providing your four-legged friend with a simple yet effective way to build his stamina, so you can both enjoy spring activities to the fullest. 

All dogs are natural athletes 

Many breeds are suited to athletic lifestyles, including hounds, sporting dogs, working and herding breeds, retrievers, pointers, and northern breeds. 

In general, larger dogs are known to achieve the high sustained metabolic rates of an “elite” athlete. Small dogs and brachycephalic breeds such as Pugs and Bulldogs may not qualify as extreme athletes, but they still enjoy staying active and being outdoors. 

Every dog is different, so it’s essential to tailor your dog’s training to his individual needs and limitations. 

Concerned about your dog’s ability to increase his activity or build endurance? Consult your holistic or integrative veterinarian for recommendations. Watch your dog’s condition closely and adjust activity levels as needed. This ensures he stays healthy, safe, and happy during spring training.

Don’t forget safety during endurance training

During a stamina-building process, safety needs to be at the forefront of your mind. Key safety factors include weather, hydration, fatigue, paws on hard or rough surfaces, and compensatory gait (e.g., limping, pacing, etc.). 

Since dogs release most of their body heat through panting, excessive panting clearly indicates they need rest and cooling down. Temperatures above 80°F can quickly lead to overheating.

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