 Do you know what you're actually trying to target when working with your dog in the canine gym? Are you building strength, improving balance, or something else entirely? If you're not sure, you're not alone! One of the most common questions I get asked is whether to use stable or unstable equipment - and more importantly, when to use each type of equipment.
Here's a truth that might surprise you: unstable equipment is NOT a progression from stable surfaces. This misconception leads to ineffective training and missed opportunities to condition our dogs for strength, balance, and injury prevention. Let's clear this up once and for all. The Foundation Matters: Why Stable Equipment is Non-Negotiable Stable equipment - platforms, blocks, planks - these all provide a fixed, predictable surface that doesn't move or compress. This isn't "beginner" equipment; it's foundational. Stable surfaces allow your dog to generate maximum force through the ground, by engaging large muscle groups like quadriceps and hamstrings for true strength and power development. Think about it: you can't push effectively against something that's moving away from you. Imagine trying to do a box jump from a stable surface versus an unstable one - which would allow you to jump higher? The stable surface, of course! Why? Because you can push into the solid, fixed ground to generate power. The same principle applies to our dogs.
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 The MCR Pack in Alberta!! Remember that trip that didn't go according to plan? 🚐
Well, 52 hours of driving gives you a lot of time to think. ⏰ And somewhere between Alberta and home, I found myself breaking down my lead up to Nationals and the weekend itself - what went well, what I would have changed and everything in between! My post-competition analysis is just as important as my pre-competition analysis and planning! 📊 We Talk About Change, But We Don't Actually Plan for It 🎯 "My dog's contacts need improvement" 😰 "We really struggle with confidence at trials" 🤔 "My handling could be more consistent" 😬 "I wish we were more prepared for challenges" 💪 "We should have focused more on fitness this year" We recognize the problems. We talk about wanting change. But how often do we actually sit down and create a real game plan? A systematic approach to get from where we are to where we want to be? 🎯  Quinn, Siren, Keeper, Fifty, Shades and Grey In early August, I packed up my 6 dogs in the RV for my first ever AAC Nationals and IFCS World Tryouts in Leduc, Alberta. Life on the road has so many unexpected moments that teach you to pivot, adapt, and grow - and boy, did this trip deliver on all fronts! 🚐
Here's how it really went down. Living with 6 dogs means something is always going sideways, and this trip was no exception. 🐕 Before we even left, we were delayed by 2 days when my Aussie developed a sudden UTI. A 52-hour drive ahead and a UTI? Not exactly the send-off I had planned... 😅 But we eventually made it to my first ever AAC Nationals and IFCS World Tryouts! This was my first time competing with all three dogs at a National event - all who run quite differently. For those with multiple dogs - you know the challenge! Still a learning curve, especially with dogs in the same height class!! 😅 🐕 Agility is such a mental and physical game at any given trial, but over a 4 day event, it is truly a marathon!! The weather tested us right from the start with brutal conditions - cold, rain, wind. It definitely messed with my mental game, and eating dirt Saturday morning (after a fall) didn't help my confidence! One of my dogs was also performing uncharacteristically, forcing me to change my handling while trying to problem solve the underlying issue. 😅 By Saturday at lunch, I was feeling defeated and struggling to be the best teammate for my dogs - and we were only halfway through our weekend!! But sometimes you need that rock bottom moment to find your turning point. Trust yourself. Trust your dogs. |
AuthorCarolyn McIntyre Archives
September 2025
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