More roading questions

[Dirtysailor]

When you guys road your dog what kind of ramp up do you use? For example how do you schedule a dog to peak out at a given event? I know there are methods to this for human athletes and wanted to know if the same methodology applied to dogs or the rates changed? It may be a case of reading the dog which I try and do but following a general method seems an intelligent approach. It is a long season but we all have an event we would like to win more than another, so in theory you want your fitness to peak then. I realize there is a lot of other items involved in a win but having fitness off the list would be a nice piece of mind.

[ultracarry]

Same times.different speeds. At least that's what I do.

[Buckeye_V]

Have you ever interval trained? That is what I do, but I have been told I do not know what I am doing. Funny, my dogs are usually in condition. Push, coast, push coast. One distance one day and more the next. I train for distance and not time. Like I said, most guys laugh at me. :roll:

I do not road unless I am training for an hour stake. I don't have an hour to free run, so I add resistance, but not like most do.

[remmy]

Have you ever interval trained? That is what I do, but I have been told I do not know what I am doing. Funny, my dogs are usually in condition. Push, coast, push coast. One distance one day and more the next. I train for distance and not time. Like I said, most guys laugh at me. :roll:

I do not road unless I am training for an hour stake. I don't have an hour to free run, so I add resistance, but not like most do.

Most people would road their dog a little longer than the stake they are preparing for...eg, for a one hour stake they would road for an hour and 15 min - an hour and a half.

I am curious in your method of training. Can you elaborate?

[Birdman250]

I too work my dogs twice as long as the trial I intend to run..But most often, I pushed them with the horse or 4-wheeler. Where I road my dogs I have a 15 miles straight run and is able to push them harder. I had speeds of up to 30 mph on the 15 miles stretch. Basically, I make them sprint the 15 miles. You can see the hind muscle development on my avatar.

[cmc274]

I believe the original poster was referring to exercise regime as it relates to a specific event. For example, do you build up for 8 weeks and start tapering the amount of exercise 2 weeks prior to an important trial.

[ultracarry]

The specifics can be a closely guarded secret. I'll start working mine out 3 months prior to leaving for her fall trip in the Midwest... So I start early June, right when it starts to get hot.

[Buckeye_V]

Nah, I would rather not elaborate.

Partly because I will be told I am wrong or people will point out the error of my ways. I do not care to get those responses any more and I do not care to share a secret that may be a reason for whatever success we have had so far. You know, I have vizslas, so I need every little secret I can get to stay competitive with the rest of you