Your dog is full of energy? Do you want to share a sporting activity with him? No matter where you live, there is an activity that will satisfy the most athletic and the Sunday runners: the canicross.
Developed by a veterinarian from Lyon in the early 90's, canicross is the ideal activity to let off steam with your little friend while strengthening your relationship! But beyond the relational aspects, this activity will satisfy essential needs of your canine. Some dogs need to exercise for several hours a day, others simply have a huge need for traction. You wondered why your dog had such a hard time staying close to you during your walks without trying to make you fly behind him? It is not uncommon for this problem to disappear with canicross. Your doggie will then have a separate activity to satisfy his need for traction and will tend to be calmer during his walks, provided that you make a distinction between the equipment used for each activity.
Yes, but then, what equipment for canicross? It is a sport that does not require a big investment: a harness for you, for your dog a harness specially created for the activity and a resistant leash! For those who are less athletic, and for those who want to go gradually, you can start with the canimarche. This will allow both of you to get used to the activity and to the new equipment.
Be careful though, this activity is not recommended for all our canines: old dogs, puppies and growing dogs, dogs with crushed snouts, which may have a tendency to develop respiratory problems, will have a lot of trouble keeping up. Also be careful not to practice canicross under too high or too low temperatures. That's why it's important to ask your veterinarian for advice before starting and to make regular checks to make sure that this activity is good for your dog.
Before starting, it is best to teach your dog a few basic key words: turn left, turn right and stop will be essential to avoid putting yourself in danger (especially if your dog is worth his weight in gold).
If this sport is adapted to your doggie, it is nevertheless a complicated activity that requires a lot of knowledge and practice before being in total harmony with your doggie. It is therefore advisable to get in touch with a professional or an association to be accompanied in the practice before becoming a shock duo! It can also be interesting to see an osteopath who will give you all the keys to have a well warmed up dog to avoid any risk for the muscles and the joints.
With some training you may be able to participate in races dedicated to canicrossers which are developing all over France and beyond! So, are you interested?
Please allow technical cookies to view the comments powered by Disqus.