Weight Pull Workout Schedules

WHAT IS A GOOD WORKOUT SCHEDULE FOR AN EXPERIENCED DOG TRAINING FOR COMPETITION?

Holly says." I feel a little "iffy" about a set workout schedule as a rule of thumb to follow...since every dog develops and adjusts differently a given schedule the following examples may not be the exact schedules for all dogs to use... "

Here Holly indicates that you must get a good "feel" for how well your dog recovers. There are many different examples of workout schedules.

Scot, who uses weight pull more for conditioning than competitions says "The more grueling the workout the more liable you are to burn out your dog so that they do not want to pull. Make every workout fun, watch your dog for signs of boredom, change up your workouts, mix in fun activities and aerobic activity. Also remember that nutrition (GOOOOD nutrition) is one of the primary keys to a successful weight pull dog!


THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO RECOGNIZE IS that If a dog isn't given enough "recovery" or "off time" just like human athletes... they will be at great risk to fatigue...burn out...and even injury.



Holly indicates that :"I train using "more or less" schedule A below...and I am by no means saying my way is the best way.



EXAMPLE SCHEDULE A

Day 1 Moderate drag weight
Day 2 Cart Practice
Day 3 Rest
Day 4 endurance training (eg swimming, tread mill, chasing tennis ball in the park flirt pole etc.)
Day 5 Rest
Day 6 Heavy Weight day - A little drag weight then the cart or sled for a couple heavy reps
Day 7 rest then repeat
Depending on how hard the dog works...sometimes I switch up my training days and give a third day of rest.....


EXAMPLE SCHEDULE B IS MUCH MORE GRUELING

Week 1
Day 1 Drag weight 1/2 mile heavy weight
Day 2 Cart pull medium heavy up to 85% max
Day 3 Drag weight 1 mile light weight
Day 4 aerobic activity
Day 5 Drag weight 1/2 mile medium weight
Day 6 Cart pull Medium up to 80% max
Day 7 REST
Week 2
Day 1 Drag weight light 1 mile
Day 2 Cart pull heavy up to 90%
Day 3 Drag weight medium 1/2 mile
Day 4 Cart pull medium 80% max
Day 5 aerobic activity
Day 6 Cart pull medium light 75% max
Day 7 Rest
Week 3
Day 1 Drag weight heavy 1/2 mile
Day 2 Cart pull medium heavy 85%
Day 3 Drag weight medium 1/2 mile
Day 4 cart pull heavy 90%
Day 5 aerobic activity
Day 6 Cart pull light heavy 75%
Day 7 REST
Week 4
Day 1 Drag weight light 1 mile
Day 2 Cart pull medium 80%
Day 3 Drag weight heavy 1/2 mile
Day 4 Cart pull medium light 75%
Day 5 rest
Day 6 MAX OUT 100% + carefully chosen added poundage
Day 7 Rest and repeat

NOTE: THIS IS A 6 DAY ON 1 DAY OFF SCHEDULE.

ANOTHER POPULAR SCHEDULE IS 3 DAYS ON ONE OFF.

LIKE HOLLY SUGGESTS, YOU MUST JUDGE BY YOUR DOGS PROGRESS AND HOW EAGER THEY ARE TO WORK IF ONE SCHEDULE OR ANOTHER WORKS FOR YOUR PARTICULAR DOG. IF YOUR DOGS muscles ARE BECOMING FLAT OR THEY ARE NOT EAGER TO GET TO WORK, IT IS USUALLY BECAUSE OF TOOOOO MUCH WORK. AT THAT POINT BEGIN INCORPORATING MORE REST