Fenzi Dog Sports Academy - AG830: Interval Fitness Training for Agility Handlers and Their Dogs

Course Details

Would you rather train your agility dog than exercise yourself? You are not alone!!!

Many good dog trainers would rather train their dogs than exercise for themselves.

How about we use agility equipment and make it a team effort instead of either or?

Frequent short sessions are better for you and your dog, and this fits perfectly with High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), which is all the rage in human fitness training right now. HIIT sounds difficult, but it doesn’t have to be! HIIT involves a series of medium to high intensity exercises along with designated rest periods for recovery. There is no need to compare yourself to anybody else---you control how hard you will work. You decide what will be “YOUR” maximum effort level.

HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) has become the rage because it combines two of the most effective fat-burning methods. This method burns fat because you will use your maximum effort to achieve muscle fatigue and maximum oxygen use in these quick bursts of exercises. A twenty- minute workout alternating high/low intensity periods burns more calories than a twenty- minute workout of steady intensity.

In this class, you will need some “back yard agility equipment”. We will be using some basic agility obstacles such as weave poles (6 or 12), a tunnel, jumps, and see saw (or plank). This is going to be a workout for both you and your dog. During your part of the high intensity part of the interval, you will be the one exercising (some stationary exercises and some short burst running). However, during your rest interval you will be training your dog on the equipment. Everybody wins with this format!

Now, your dog is also learning to have better impulse control. Your’ dog’s rest interval (in a sit or down position on a mat or table, attached to a tie down, or in a crate) occurs every time you exercise. However, your rest interval is spent training your dog so that he/she gets in their high intensity conditioning interval.

This is going to be so much FUN for you and your dogs! Just like dog training should be at all times, this is a WIN-WIN for both of you!! This method also provides you and your dog with a great workout in a short amount of time. Agility is run utilizing short bursts of intense work from both the handler and their canine partner. HIIT training will help both of you to be “sport specific” with your conditioning!!

Syllabus

Week 1

5 Minute Warm Up #1 for Handlers and Dogs using tugs, toys and or balls and cones (or other markers)
20 Minute Interval Workout #1for Handlers and Dogs: 4 Stations x 5 Minutes each using an Agility Table and one to four jumps.
5 Minute Cool Down #1 for Handlers and Dogs

Week 2

5 Minute Warm Up #2 for Handlers and Dogs using tugs, toys and or balls and cones (or other markers)
20 Minute Interval Workout #2 for Handlers and Dogs: 4 Stations x 5 Minutes each using 4 Jumps for each station.
5 Minute Cool Down #2 for Handlers and Dogs

Week 3

5 Minute Warm Up #3 for Handlers and Dogs using tugs, toys and or balls and cones (or other markers)
20 Minute Interval Workout #3 for Handlers and Dogs: 4 Stations x 5 Minutes each using a tunnel and jumps for each station.
5 Minute Cool Down #3 for Handlers and Dogs

Week 4

5 Minute Warm Up #4 for Handlers and Dogs using tugs, toys and or balls and cones (or other markers)
20 Minute Interval Workout #4 for Handlers and Dogs: 4 Stations x 5 Minutes each using a see saw or plank on cinder block and jumps for each station.
5 Minute Cool Down #4 for Handlers and Dogs

Week 5

5 Minute Warm Up #5 for Handlers and Dogs using tugs, toys and or balls and cones (or other markers)
20 Minute Interval Workout #5 for Handlers and Dogs: 4 Stations x 5 Minutes each using a tunnel, weaves, and jumps at each station.
5 Minute Cool Down #5 for Handlers and Dogs

Week 6

5 Minute Warm Up #6 for Handlers and Dogs using tugs, toys and or balls and cones (or other markers)
20 Minute Interval Workout #6 for Handlers and Dogs: 4 Stations x 5 Minutes each using a table, jumps, a tunnel, see saw, and weaves.
5 Minute Cool Down #6 for Handlers and Dogs

Prerequisites and Equipment

There are no Prerequisites for this course except basic agility skills on the obstacles. The handlers will work at their own level of intensity based on their current fitness level and limitations.

Basic "Back Yard" agility obstacles (weave poles 6 or 12, a tunnel, 2-4 jumps, see saw or plank on the ground or on a cinder block,an agility table or something like a table, and 6 cones or other marker).

Toys, tugs, balls ,etc. to warm up.

Course Testimonials

A sampling of what prior students have said about this class ...

Karen is an amazing instructor. Her lessons are thorough, and accompanied by videos to help visualize what she is describing. Her feedback for each lesson helps to achieve better technique, and thus making the exercise more effective for the individual. This Interval Training class incorporates techniques with your agility equipment. Each week adds to the previous week culminating in a full workout that can be varied to prevent boredom. The best thing is that each lesson is accompanied with an exercise to do with your pup! Alternating a workout for me with a work out for my Penny helped me from getting bored with exercising. Each technique helps you learn how to be faster and more efficient, which is then carried over to the competition ring. This class has helped me on my journey to being healthier and keeping up with my Aussie-pup.

Instructions were very clear and accompany videos were very helpful. Each exercise was broken down throughout the lesson then in the last video each piece of the exercise was put together. Great Course!