Improve your showing dog’s movement in the ring with a warm-up – How Canissage can help.
- 1h
- 6 min read
Your dog is gorgeous. You know it. They know it. But you really want the judge to know it, too! So, how can you get your show dog moving and holding themselves like the champion they are, every time they enter the ring?
We’ll discuss how your dog’s musculoskeletal system impacts their performance, and learn how adding a Canissage massage pad to your show plan can make a world of difference to your dog and their scores.
What is a judge looking for in your show dog?
Each breed has its own specific characteristics that the judge will assess, but there are some things they’re all looking for, and your dog’s movement and ability to hold themselves are vital to grabbing those top marks.
The judge will be looking for:
● Overall conformation. (mostly genetic, but some aspects are down to conditioning)
● Soundness.
● A balanced gait.
● Good limb tracking from front to back.
● Effortless-looking, smooth, flowing movements.
● The ability to hold themselves in the conformation checks.
● Their fitness for function. (could they do the job their breed was originally bred for?)
What is “stacking” and how does your dog’s condition impact it?
Stacking is all about your dog’s limb placement and holding their body in the correct position for the judge in the conformation ring. It allows the judge to properly examine them.
Any fidgeting or incorrectly placed limbs can result in lower scores, so it’s important to train your dog to stack, both manually and on their own, but this takes a strong, healthy musculoskeletal system.
Manual stacking
This is the way most handlers stack their show dogs. It involves physically placing your dog’s limbs in the correct position and then controlling their head and tail.
Free standing
Not all dogs can manage this, and it involves much more training. Free standing is when the dogs correctly place their own limbs. To achieve this, your dog needs to be strong and comfortable enough to maintain their body position. They also need to have good balance and proprioception skills (knowing where their limbs are).
How a warm-up will improve your dog’s movement in the show ring
We all know we need to warm up before we exercise, and some dog handlers will do a physical warm-up before they show their dog. And let’s be honest, we know it’s a fantastic thing to do to improve your dog’s movement, free up and loosen their muscles and get their joints moving. But, in reality, how many handlers regularly and fully warm up their dogs? Not many.
A warm-up IS going to improve your dog’s movement though, and ultimately, we are looking to get the best and most free-flowing movements from our dogs in the ring.
A proper warm-up will:
● Relax your dog.
● Improve circulation.
● Relax muscles.
● Prevent injury.
● Increase joint range of motion.
● Enable your dog to stand more solidly.
The problem with warming up at a show
Time is tight. You’re often rushing to be in the right place at the right time, looking groomed and perfect. The last thing you want is for them to be zooming around and getting over excitable before the ring.
Plus, shows often don’t have the space to go and complete a proper warm-up before you enter the ring. There certainly isn’t anywhere for cavaletti and other equipment that your physiotherapist might recommend for a show.
A vigorous warm-up can result in messing up your beautifully groomed coat, could rile your dog up too much before the ring, and is very time-consuming when you might be focusing on last-minute grooming or have a short turnaround between dogs. So, how can you help your dog loosen up for the ring?
Canissage Massage Beds—the dog show companion of your future champion!
We spoke with a canine Physiotherapist to learn why she recommends a Canissage Massage bed to her showing patients, and how it can help in the ring.
What is a Canissage massage bed?
A Canissage massage bed fits discreetly in your dog’s crate. It provides a gentle, clinically proven massage to your dog, backed by decades of clinical research. Powered by Cycloidal Vibration Therapy (CVT), the technology behind Canissage is used globally in human healthcare and equine welfare. Regular massages on the bed are scientifically proven to increase circulation and improve mobility and joint range of motion. It can be used as a hands-off warm-up that doesn’t impact your grooming efforts, and will help your dog feel comfortable, mobile, and calm, both at home, on the benches and in the ring.
Canissage and your dog’s movement in the show ring
“A dog who is well warmed-up is going to go beautifully in the show ring. They can move their joints more freely and flow.”
A dog who is fully warmed up before they enter the ring is going to be more physically capable of showing themselves off at their best. Letting your dog relax on a Canissage massage bed, in their crate, or in the van, or on the benches delivers a clinically proven massage. It increases circulation, maintains mobility, and delivers an incredible warm-up, so that your dog can show themselves off at their best—all while you’re waiting to go into the ring!
Like all working dogs, show dogs can pick up injuries such as, sprains, strains and muscle and tendon injuries. However, going from lying at rest to putting in the performance of a lifetime, often on a slippery surface, puts your dog at greater risk of injury. A warm-up on a Canissage massage bed prepares your dog’s muscles for the work ahead, for a safe, successful show.
Canissage massage beds and stacking your show dog
With regular use, the Canissage massage bed will support and maintain your dog’s entire musculoskeletal system. With a healthy, flexible, and mobile body comes a strong and comfortable dog.
“Dogs that reposition their limbs consistently when stacked often do so because they aren’t 100% comfortable in the strong stance that they are being asked to hold. Holding a stacked stance requires supple and strong muscles and joints. One of the first things that a lot of my working and rehab owners notice throughout their dogs physiotherapy is that their dog is holding themselves in a stronger and more stable position.”
Although a much harder skill, you’ll be more likely to get a natural free-stacking if you care for your dog’s musculoskeletal health, and your dog will be able to hold their position accurately. Looking fabulous!
Calm with Canissage
The sights, sounds, smells, and aaaall.. the waiting can be stressful for your dog. A stressed or anxious dog will not perform at their best in the ring—tension doesn’t allow for free, flowing movement.
Pop your Canissage bed into your anxious dog’s crate and use the relaxation setting. Not only will it help to support your dog’s musculoskeletal system, ready for the ring, but it will help them relax while they wait. They’ll feel calm, despite the sometimes chaotic atmosphere, and as a result, you might find they’re able to move freely, and give the performance of their life in the ring.
7 reasons you need a Canissage Massage Bed before your next dog show
It fits perfectly in most crates—for the car on the way to the show, or to warm up while you wait.
It’s clinically proven to improve circulation and support healthy mobility.
It warms your dog up for beautiful, graceful movements in the ring, without hands-on massage or an active warm-up that might impact their coat aesthetics.
It helps your dog to feel calm, despite the show chaos, for a relaxed and focused dog in the ring.
It supports their lifelong mobility and health when used regularly at home.
It helps your dog feel comfortable enough to stack beautifully and hold their position.
It’s suitable for all of your dogs, no matter what their age.
Purchase a Canissage Massage Therapy Bed For Your Show Dogs
We’d love for you to experience the difference a Canissage bed can make for your show dogs. If you're ready to invest in their performance, simply order through our online shop. Have questions or want to speak to someone before purchasing? Our team is here to help—just give us a call on Freephone 0800 689 9820
