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Post by Dodger on Nov 17, 2009 8:15:15 GMT 10
Coursing. Two weeks before going to a Stake, how much work, and what kind of work, should you be doing.
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Post by Tom Meulman on Nov 17, 2009 16:39:57 GMT 10
Coursing. Two weeks before going to a Stake, how much work, and what kind of work, should you be doing. The amount of work the dog has to do to get ready for a coursing event does depend greatly upon what the dog has been doing for the past two weeks as far as running is concerned. Contrary to how it may appear when you consider that the dog, if it keeps winning, will have to run three times over what is likely to be around 325 metres in the one day, in my experience dogs do much better at coursing if they are fresh. Fresh dogs sprint better than a greyhound that has had a hard preparation, and to win at coursing you need to be able to sprint! If you only have two weeks to prepare a dog for a coursing meeting cease all circle running and during week one give the dog two handslips free gallop up a straight one day apart over no more than 300 metres + walk the dog once daily for about half an hour on the road, or no more than 10 minutes on a walking machine once a day. At the weekend prior to the coursing event give the dog one run behind the lure on a straight track and this should preferably be a handslip, or one run only out of the slips at the track where the coursing event is to be held. Week two, walk the dog once daily for about half an hour on the road, or no more than 10 minutes on a walking machine once a day. Three days prior to the coursing event give one handslip free gallop (not behind the lure) on a straight track for no more than 300 metres. Then cease all walking and just empty out on the lead until the coursing event. It has also been my experience if the dogs weight is adjusted to be 0.5 to 1kg heavier than its preferred circle weight, they do sprint better and recover better after each run. On the day: After each run cool the dog down by placing both front feet in a bucket of cold water for five minutes and then both back feet for five minutes. (This will also aid to reduce inflammation to toe tendons and wrist and hock ligaments). Carefully inspect feet pads toes and toe nails. I there are any abrasions to the nail bed clean these and run a narrow strip of tape around the nail close to the quick for about four windings to build a barrier against further damage. Give the dog two cups of vanilla Sustagen to drink + a slice of buttered toast or half a 4X2 biscuit to chew on. The other thing to make absolutely sure of is that the dog rests as much as possible between runs, so it’s best to park well away from the track. Just prior to each run allow the dog to empty first, then give the dog a light massage and stretch all legs two or three times. Then walk the dog briskly for five minutes. If the weather is cold keep the dog rugged until you get to the slips. Hope this helps! Cheers, Tom
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