[Training tips] How can I train my sport dog's speed?

The training of sport dogs for harnessed canine sports revolves around 3 types of exercises:

• Fundamental endurance 80% of the training is done at low speed, without traction. [En savoir plus]
• The force : 15% of the training time is also spent at low speed, but with sets of pulls done in the harness. [En savoir plus]
• The speed : 5% of training time is spent working with a harness at maximum speed.

Before continuing to read this article on speed training, have you read our article on the basics of training a sports dog ?

How to train my sport dog?

Summary

• Training the speed of your sport dog: what goals ?
• How to improve your dog's speed?
  • Reminders before starting the training sessions.
  • How to schedule a speed training session with your dog ?
• What equipment is needed to train my dog's speed?
  • Mountain biking, ideal for working on speed.
  • The pulling harness
  • The lunge line or the driving line
  • Pilot speed and safety

Training the speed of your sport dog: what goals ?

As with humans, the main goal of speed training in a sport dog is to developing one's MAS (Maximal Aerobic Speed)(Maximal Aerobic Speed).

Definition

VMA is the speed at which the dog will reach its maximum oxygen consumption.. To put it simply, beyond this speed, the body will produce lactates (anaerobic pathway) and the effort will no longer be sustainable over time.

Improving the VMA (Maximal Aerobic Speed) of a sporting dog is...improve one's average speedOn an effort lasting several minutes like a canicross race, of bikejoring, skijoring, sprint in harness, or even mid-distance. In long distance, over efforts spanning several days, the dogs' endurance will be crucial, but with good maximum aerobic speed (MAS), they will tire less or be able to maintain a higher average speed.

Working on speed with your dog also helps to improve theirtop speed, so theefficiency"and the"coordinationFrom its high-speed stride.

In summary, speed is primarily trained in practice toimprove the average speed"of a dog or a team for its purpose, as well as its"top speed.

But, by the way, how fast do sport dogs run ?

For distances less than 10 km, theaverage speedsVary according to the breeds, the performance level of the dogs, and of course the terrain:

• ESD / Pointers / Greysters: 28 to 38 km/h
• Nordic lineage speed: 20 to 35 km/h
• Shepherd or Nordic-type dogs: 12 to 28 km/h

In long-distance races, the average speed (including stop times) depends heavily on the elevation change and race conditions. With my Alaskan Huskies, I will aim for a cruising speed of 15 km/h on a 200 km race and 13 km/h on a 600 km race. Thibaut Branquart Long Distance Musher

How to improve my dog's speed ?

Reminders before starting your training sessions

• Like the work of force, speed work is very intense for the dog. Therefore, this type of session is scheduled only when the outside temperature isbelow 12°C"for short workouts, and"below 6°CFor longer training sessions.
• Speed work should only represent5% of the total time of your training sessions. 80% of this time being dedicated to endurance and approximately 15% to strength.
• Your dog must havefinished its digestion, and therefore have had their last meal15 to 18 hours before the effort. Lasthydration(water + some kibble or meat)Two hoursApproximately before the effort.
• Consider consultingYour veterinarianTo ensure your dog's good health before starting training. Also consult if you detect anything unusual in your dog's reactions to exertion.

Even if you do sprinting, speed work will only represent 4-5% of your total training, as it is a very specific exercise that requires a significant expenditure of energy and is also very effective. However, it should not be overdone. Remy Coste World Champion mid-distance

How to schedule a speed training session with your dog ?

Always start your speed session with20 to 30 minutes of warm-up, without traction, and at low speed.

We conduct someseries of 2 to 15, or even 20 accelerationsDepending on the season and the condition of the dog or the team. During each session, be attentive to the dog's condition and adjust if necessary.

End your sessions with 20 minutes of active recovery, with the dog off-leash and at a low speed.

Speed session with your dog or in a harness:

• Meal 15 to 18 hours before the session. Hydration approximately two hours before the session.
• 20 minutes of warm-up without pulling and at low speed (10-12 km/h)
• Harnessed, series of accelerations interspersed with pauses.
• Stop the session or take a break as soon as fatigue or weariness appears.
• Active recovery, at low speed, without traction.
• Meals and hydration immediately after calming down to promote recovery.

To work on speed, we will perform accelerations lasting from a few seconds to several minutes, interspersed with breaks to lower the dogs' heart rate. This work is done with the dog harnessed. Remy Coste World Champion mid-distance

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What equipment to train my dog's speed ?

Mountain biking, ideal for working on speed.

If you haveone or two dogs, theAttached mountain biking will be ideal for working on speed.. You can help your dogs maintain a high speed by pedaling. This is why for this type of exercise, a mountain bike is more suitable than a scooter. Skijoring, on flat ground or on a slight descent, can also help work on speed with one or two dogs. When running, you won't be able to reach a speed high enough for a sport dog.

In harness, a quad with the help of the engine is ideal.To achieve strong accelerations.A go-kartIt can also be used, but make sure it is light enough for your dogs to carry at high speed.

The pulling harness

Apart from warm-up and active recovery, speed is worked on with a harnessed dog. Therefore, use only a pulling harness that is suitable for your dog's morphology and size.

How to choose the right harness for my dog?

The lunge line or the driving line

For training in bikejoring In skijoring, use an elastic leash that is at least 2.5 meters long when extended. For two dogs, there are double leashes that are perfectly suitable. The use of a bar bikejoring seems essential to us for practicing safely at high speed.

Beyond two dogs, use your usual tow line equipped with a shock absorber.

Pilot speed and safety

During speed sessions, you will approach the top speed of your dog or team, which is between 30 km/h and nearly 50 km/h for racing dogs !

For your safety and that of other users, please adhere to our recommendations:

• Protect yourself with at least a helmet, goggles, and gloves. You can use additional protection to enhance your safety (back protector, elbow pads, knee pads).
• Practice your accelerations on wide paths that are not very technical and have good visibility.
• Signal yourself, for example, with a bell attached to your dog or a lead dog.
• Use appropriate equipment and ensure you have mastered it at high speed.

To remember for training the speed of a sport dog:

• Speed represents only 5% of the total training time for the sport dog.
• The main goal of speed work is to improve the dog's VMA (maximum aerobic speed), and therefore its average speed.
• Speed is worked on with a harnessed dog.
• Perform series of accelerations lasting from a few seconds to several minutes, interspersed with breaks.
• Always adapt your sessions to the dog's condition and motivation.