{"id":8062,"date":"2021-05-05T13:12:15","date_gmt":"2021-05-05T11:12:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dogsolutions.co.za\/?post_type=tva_lesson&p=8062"},"modified":"2025-10-06T21:50:31","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T19:50:31","slug":"an-invitation","status":"publish","type":"tva_lesson","link":"https:\/\/dogsolutions.co.za\/biokinetic-k9\/course\/an-invitation\/","title":{"rendered":"An Invitation"},"content":{"rendered":"

So you have gone through the workshop and you may be wondering:  “That was awesome but, what can I do now and afterwards?”<\/p>\n

Let’s go through a simple, easy to do process and let’s take it one step at a time \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Determine your goals<\/h4>\n

Consider your goals for your dog.<\/p>\n

Are you in sports with your dog and want to improve performance?  Is your goal to make your dog fitter or stronger as a companion who accompanies you on hikes on weekends? Maybe your goal is weight loss and a healthy lifestyle?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Get to know your dog’s “normal”<\/h4>\n

What is your dog’s “normal”?  We show you exactly how to do this in our Body Checks for Injury Workshop<\/strong>.  It is super important to know what your dog’s normal is so that you can instantly see what his “not so normal” is.  This way, it’s easier to discern whether the discomfort is from an injury, a tight muscle, or not.<\/p>\n

Determining “normal” is through noticing how your dog moves, sits, downs and stands.  We demonstrate this process in our Body Check for Injury Workshop<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This helps you determine immediately when something is “off” in your dog’s movement so you can investigate and assess what might be the cause sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n

Understanding your dog’s normal will be something you happily do for the rest of their lives! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Exercises<\/h4>\n

Start to look at the exercises listed in the Warm-up Worksheet (there is another copy for you in the Resources box below)<\/p>\n

These exercises form part of the list of Foundation Exercises that you need to perfect.  A complete list is received as part of the Body Checks for Injury Workshop. <\/p>\n

Each of those foundation exercises forms the baseline and starting point of an exercise program that you can develop for your dog. Each exercise targets different body parts that are involved in sports.  <\/p>\n

Healthy, injury-free dogs should be able to do all these foundation exercises.  They are safe to perform on flat, non-slip surfaces on the ground for any dog or puppy.<\/p>\n

Perform and practice these exercises and movements, paying attention to how your dog moves while performing them. Look for precision, technique and form.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Want to dive in deeper?<\/h4>\n

If you want to know more<\/strong> about:<\/p>\n