Endurance Training
by chrisEndurance Test for dogs
What is an Endurance Test you may well ask? It is a test to see if your dog can complete a 20 Km run beside the handler who is riding a push bike or who is jogging the 20 Km course.
You need to be a member of the Canine Association of your state before you can enter the Endurance Test. Check out their website for membership information.
Before the actual test you will be doing a very short and basic obedience session, a vet visit at the event to check if the dog is fit and then you’re off on your first 8 Km circuit. The track is made up of different surfaces, sand, compacted sandstone, dirt etc. Next is a 6 Km circuit followed by another 6 Km circuit. Your dog will be vet checked a number of times during this event. They do not worry about the handlers; it’s all about THE DOG! When you have done the circuits successfully, you again will be asked to do a small obedience test. At the end of it all you will receive a certificate and a badge and the dog will be known as: Fido E.T. (That’s his/her official title)
It is a lot of fun but it requires training for both the dog and yourself. The dog must stay beside you and not pull excessively. You’re actually going quite slowly- 10 Kms/hour. It usually requires about 6 – 8 weeks of your time, taking the dog out two or three times in the first week or so and gradually building up the stamina for both of you. It is a lot more fun if you can get a few people together to train on the weekends and find different venues, bring a thermos of coffee and have a yarn after all the hard work has been done.
So what do you need? A dog, a bike, a 4-6 ft lead, some treats to reward a job well done, water for the dog and yourself and away you go! If you are meeting up with others, a car to hold all of the above would be handy!
Have a go!
Caroline (RDC Head Instructor )
