Standing endurance is an exercise in the canine gym that I incorporate with all dogs. It has MANY benefits for your dog, and selecting the proper equipment is critical to maximizing the physical benefits of this exercise.
 
What is Standing Endurance?
 
Standing endurance is when your dog stands in a natural stacked position on different pieces of equipment while you move around your dog imposing various weight-shifting challenges. Meaning, your dog stands in position while you move around them in different directions. See, dogs are well-balanced when their heads are forward and looking ahead. The minute your dog starts to track and follow you (through head movements), they have to engage their core and stabilizing muscles while they weight-shift to maintain balance.  The further behind your dog you go, the more challenging it becomes for them to maintain their balance. This weight-shifting behaviour is what activates and strengthens your dog’s core and stabilizing muscles in their front and hind end and spine.

Welcome to Part 2 of my adventures in the Czech Republic competing at the 2023 Agility World Championship (AWC) with Keeper, the second youngest of my pack of five dogs.  You can read part one of this series here.

In part one I shared my journey to the Czech Republic, and gave you a run-down of what happens behind the scenes prior to an International Competition. So, what came after the vet check and on-site team practice? Let's get into the meat of things!

I am back home now from attending my first International competition with Keeper – the Agility World Championships (AWC) in the Czech Republic. What an amazing 12 days away competing and experiencing one of the most prestigious agility events in the world! I’d love to take you with me on journey inside my trip, and highlight my experience with little Miss Keep Keep. Hands down, this was a trip of a lifetime that I will never forget! After coming off such a disappointing first world competition with Shades in May (when he got injured), I was hoping this experience would re-energize my excitement for world-level agility – and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!