How to turn your
Adult German
Shepherd into an
Athlete and fit for the
Breed Ring
Maren von der Heyde, NBS 2013
What makes a good handler?
• Being passionate about the
breed
• Have a sound
• Being physically fit and
knowledge of the
healthy
Standard of the
• Being prepared to learn
German Shepherd Dog
• Being prepared to train
• Be competitive
• Know the dog you are
• Be professional
handling
• Know the positives and
negatives of the dog you are
handling
• Know the details of the dog
you are handling
Motivational ringcraft training should
become one of the disciplines which
are being catered for in Clubs on a
regular basis
Why ?
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It develops an incredible bond between dog and
double handler
It develops focus and drive through motivation to
be utilised for ringcraft
It develops concentration (the show ring
atmosphere is the worst distraction for any dog)
It develops the mental ability to cope with stress
situations
It develops the physical attributes through correct
exercises
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It challenges trainers to identify which ringcraft
training method should be applied to a particular
dog, i.e. reward method either ball, bite sausage,
sleeve (for adult dogs), water, whistle followed by
reward, food, etc.
It challenges trainers to identify construction
weaknesses (requires in-depth knowledge of the
German Shepherd)
It challenges trainers to hide these weaknesses
and to present the dog to its fullest potential
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It requires the ability of trainers to assess the
aspirations of the double handler
It requires the ability of trainers to assess the
physical ability of the double handler
It requires the skill of trainers to motivate double
handlers
It requires the skill of trainers when to back off
It requires the knowledge of trainers to develop a
physical training programme suitable for each
individual dog etc etc etc
The principle of training
(periodisation)
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Training should be divided into three phases:
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Conditioning
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Transitional (pre-competition) and
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Competition
During the conditioning phase, the
dog's strength and fitness (aerobic
and anaerobic) is developed
The transitional phase is concentrated
on developing the athlete's skill
(technique work)
During the competition phase, basic
conditioning is maintained, but the
focus is on competition
Every third or fourth week should be
designated an easy week, to allow for
recovery and reduce the risk of injury
The physical overload principle
Once the aims of training have been established, a
progressive exercise programme can be instituted.
To cause the body systems to adapt, they need to be
challenged, or stressed. This is done by gradually
increasing the intensity, duration and frequency of
the selected activity. Only one variable should be
changed at a time, and the athlete should be
monitored throughout to ensure that the overload is
not excessive. Care should also be taken when
introducing any new activity that will require the use
of new muscle groups.
Beneficial effects of warm-up
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Increased strength
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Increased speed of muscle action
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Increased muscle flexibility
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Increased oxygen delivery to muscles
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Increased speed of nerve conduction
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Vascodilation
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Increased muscle enzyme activity
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Warm-up can be divided into general and specific
phases, and should last for about 10 minutes
Beneficial effects of cool-down
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Heart rate and blood pressure normalizes more rapidly
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Heat is lost more quickly
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Increased venous return to the heart
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Increased removal of lactic acid
Specific strengthening of Muscle Groups
Swimming
Strengthens all the muscles, particularly
of the limbs, and also increases
cardiovascular fitness
Specific strengthening of muscle
groups
Pulling
Strengthens the
extensor muscles of the limbs.
These include the hamstrings, gluteal muscles,
quadriceps muscles, the pectoral muscles and the
triceps muscles
Specific strengthening of muscle groups
Uphill work
Same muscles as 'pulling', but will also strengthen the
flexor muscles of the limbs, including the hip flexors, brachialis,
and deltoid, latissimus dorsi and cleidobrachialis, as well as the
back muscles and abdominal muscles work harder
Specific strengthening of muscle groups
Jumping
Strengthens the muscles of the hind limbs, the back,
latissimus dorsi and the pectoral muscles
Specific strengthening of muscle groups
Carrying objects
(e.g. Dumbbells)
Strengthens the muscles of the neck and jaw, and if it
is quite heavy also the muscles of the front limbs
Ringcraft training in three sections
Puppies
10 weeks – 12 months
Young Dogs
12 months – 24 months
Adults
Over 24 months