Fitness: Paw Pods, Cavaletti, and Hydrotherapy
- Carolina Koutras
- Dec 1, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 16
When it comes to preparing show dogs for the ring or keeping senior dogs active, fitness is a cornerstone of their health and quality of life. Show dogs require physical strength, balance, and confidence to move seamlessly in front of the judges, while senior dogs benefit from exercises that maintain mobility, alleviate joint pain, and keep their minds engaged.
Pet owners now have access to amazing tools like Paw Pods, Cavaletti, and even hydrotherapy to keep their dogs physically and mentally fit. Long gone are the days when joint pain or stiffness were accepted as unavoidable parts of aging - now, with the right fitness strategies, dogs can thrive well into their golden years.
Paw Pods: Building Strength and Balance
Paw Pods are small, inflatable platforms with textured surfaces designed to improve balance, core strength, and coordination. These tools add an element of instability, forcing your dog to engage their muscles more effectively during training.
For Show Dogs: Paw Pods are a fantastic tool for strengthening the core muscles that stabilize your dog during movement. Improved balance and coordination directly enhance their gait and posture in the ring, helping them appear confident and composed under the judges’ scrutiny.
For Senior Dogs: Paw Pods also offer tremendous benefits for older dogs. Balance training helps maintain joint stability and muscle tone, reducing the risk of falls and improving mobility. The textured surface also provides sensory stimulation, keeping their brains engaged.
How to Use Them: Place the pods under your dog’s paws - alternate front or rear, or all four. Encourage them to hold a “stubby” (sit) or “stay” while balancing. Sessions can be tailored for your dog’s abilities, with senior dogs requiring gentler exercises. Tip: try using them during grooming.
Cavaletti: Precision Conditioning for Show Dogs and Seniors
Cavaletti training may sound like something from the equestrian world - and it is - but it’s also one of the most versatile and effective tools for canine fitness. Whether you’re training a show dog to perfect their gait or helping a senior dog stay strong and coordinated, cavaletti exercises offer tailored benefits by combining physical strengthening with mental engagement. The beauty of cavaletti lies in its adaptability. You can easily adjust the setup to target specific muscle groups or improve a dog's range of motion and stride.
Why Cavaletti Matters for Dogs in Conformation
Cavaletti isn’t just about building strength; it’s about precision. For show dogs, the ability to execute a balanced, rhythmic gait with natural grace sets them apart in the ring. Cavaletti also fosters body awareness and coordination, ensuring your dog remains confident and composed even in high-pressure environments. For senior dogs, cavaletti offers low-impact exercise that maintains mobility and joint health. By encouraging controlled movements, it strengthens muscles and improves balance, helping to reduce the risk of falls and other age-related issues.
How to Use Cavaletti: Cavaletti exercises focus on controlled, deliberate movements over low poles, helping dogs develop precision and strength. These configurations can be adjusted in two main ways:
Height adjustment for high stepping: set up four to six poles at your dog’s elbow height - or little lower - for a high-stepping exercise. This setup encourages your dog to lift their limbs deliberately, increasing joint flexion and engaging muscles that don’t typically get much use in everyday walking.
Place the poles at least 12 inches apart on a safe, textured surface.
Walk alongside your dog (pro-tip: use a show lead), encouraging them to step over the poles with control.
Repeat in both directions to complete one session.
This exercise is particularly beneficial for show dogs, as it enhances balance, limb awareness, and muscle strength, all of which contribute to a smoother and more confident gait in the ring.
Stride adjustment for gait refinement: for improving or lengthening your dog’s stride, adjust the distance between poles to match your dog’s height at the withers - or their spine length if they have a long back. Begin with standard spacing, then increase the distance between poles incrementally to encourage longer strides.
Set up four to six poles spaced at your dog’s withers height apart.
Using a show lead, guide your dog to walk, then trot over the poles, ensuring they maintain a consistent rhythm.
As your dog progresses, add an extra inch of space between the poles to gently lengthen their stride.
This configuration is invaluable for show dogs, refining their gait and improving coordination while keeping movements fluid and natural.
The Role of Hydrotherapy in Canine Fitness
While cavaletti is an excellent land-based exercise, hydrotherapy adds a whole new dimension to canine fitness. Utilizing an underwater treadmill or swimming pool, hydrotherapy provides low-impact, high-resistance workouts that are ideal for building strength and improving joint health.
Buoyancy: reduces weight-bearing stress on joints, making movement pain-free for dogs with arthritis or other mobility issues.
Resistance: strengthens muscles without the strain of high-impact exercise.
Temperature: warm water soothes stiff joints and muscles, promoting relaxation and flexibility.
A study by Bliss et al. (Veterinary Medicine Science, 2022) demonstrated how underwater treadmills improve limb kinematics and reduce joint stress, offering benefits for dogs of all ages. For seniors, hydrotherapy can significantly enhance mobility and quality of life, help maintain and build muscle strength, while for show dogs, it supports endurance and muscle conditioning.
Final Thoughts: Fitness Is a Thing !
Paw pods, cavaletti and hydrotherapy are shining examples of how fitness can elevate a dog’s quality of life, whether you’re fine-tuning a show dog’s performance or keeping a senior dog active and pain-free. By incorporating these exercises into your dog’s routine, you’re investing in their health, mobility, and happiness for years to come - whether in the ring or by your side.
As with any fitness activity, safety is key. Before starting a new regimen, consult a veterinarian to ensure it’s suitable for the dog’s needs. Use a stable surface with good traction to prevent slipping, and always inspect equipment, like cavaletti poles, for any sharp edges or rough surfaces that could harm your dog. Begin each session with a warm-up, such as a short walk or gentle stretches, to prepare the dog’s muscles and reduce the risk of injury. With these precautions in mind, you can make fitness a fun and rewarding experience for your dog.
Paw pods and cavalettis are widely available online. In Calgary, we had success using the water treadmills at Springbank Pet Hospital.
About the Author: Carolina Koutras, PhD, lives in Calgary with her Samoyeds, Nina and Dimitri. She competes in conformation dog shows with Dimitri, an RBIS Grand Champion Bronze and Canada’s #2 Samoyed in 2023 under limited showing.
