Redneck86

I'd like to put some mass and more lean muscle on my pit (mossy, she's about a year and 3 or 4 months old). I've read about weight vests but also read that they can hurt her back. I take her on walks and runs pretty much every day. I'm not trying to make her big and scary looking. She's a family dog. I just love the look of a beautiful pit that has cut muscles. I know lots of people same with this breed it comes natural which I can see that already. I just wanted to know if there was any tricks to it also. Special work outs etc. just like a human. There's different work outs like cardio etc. she loves to run and pull my little 4 yr old around lol. I was wondering if this would hurt her if I bought her a harness and connected a rope with small amounts of weight (2 lbs etc) and let her pull it attached to the harness so it didn't hurt her neck or have the weight attached to her neck. Like I said I'm not trying to make her scary. Just want her in good shape. If y'all know any good excersises please let me know.

SteelRidgeKennels

As you have already mentioned, be safe as possible and read her body language. It already sounds like you are starting her on the right track. Number 1 of any workout whether it be human or canine is diet. She needs to be on a set diet each day, and not free fed. I'd be interested in seeing a photo of her now? As a person who conditions for the showring, are you looking for a conditioned dog to take to the show, or just a better muscled dog for home? The reason I ask is because there is a difference. I have a spayed bitch that works herself down, and because I want her to stay above a show weight, we feed her more during those times. You also want to look at the weather. During this weather (depending on if it gets cold) its best to keep them a little heavier so that they can keep as much body heat as possible. My outside dogs are heavier than my house dogs, but non of them are conditioned this late in the year.


As far as exercises. Look into a flirt pole. This is easy and is beginners #1. Its just a PVC pipe with string and your dogs favorite toy. I usually use cow/bear hide (Stillwater kennels and others usually carry this). Its kinda like a cat teaser, but for your dog! Mine love it and will work so hard to reach it, but remember, it can be hard to get it from them if they catch it, so have a breaking stick handy (if you know how to use one, if not, please look into that first thing).

Hand walking is my favorite. Its pretty much just walking your dog to the shape you want. I use a dog back pack occassionally with a couple of cans of food (equal on each side). Yes, this can take a little longer to see, but you will see her endurance rise and just a better, overall healthy animal.

With pulling weight, you need a proper fitting harness, not just a harness you get at your local pet store. Stillwater has harness, Brown Dog I believe does, just google weight pull harnesses and away you will go. I only use window weights (2.5-4 lbs tops). Its not the amount of weight, its the quality of the work out.


I hope I have rambled and if anyone else has any better options or even ways to correct me, please do.

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Tannerg

genetics play a big role in how your dog develops, walking is great exercise

Redneck86

this is her its not a very good picture but its the only one i have to kinda show her build now.

Redneck86

ive also tried the flirt pole. she doesnt really take to it very well. she eats about 3-3.5 cups of purina dog chow a day. half in the morning the other half when we eat dinner at night.

back2basics

What kind of bait have you used on it?

Redneck86

she loves pork bones or whatever theyre called from the store. so i tied that to the end and used it. shell chase it but when it comes to jump at it shell jump like 2 or 3 times and then she stops.

back2basics

I'd say keep it low and keep her running. You letting her catch it every once in a while to keep her from getting bored?

MamaTank

Purina isn't a very good food, so she is likely getting less out of it than she would from a higher quality kibble. Something like Orijen or Acana would be optimal. There may be some off brands that are similar for less money. I feed raw, so I'm not too well versed on which kibble is good for what, but I do know that Purina is mostly corn with meat flavoring.

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BullHeaded

Mama is right. I took Jaxx off Purina and Iams, ect... Switched him to Blue Buffalo. It costs more per bag, however, a bag lasts just as long because it is rationed out instead of always keeping the food bowl full. I can say that he has responded very well to the food. His coat and muscle tone have improved over the last few weeks. Look at the ingredients on your dog food. Try to get food where two of the top 3 ingredients are meats. And avoid corn. Your doggy will thank you.

Redneck86

ok well lets say i was gonna go to blue buffalo. what kind should i get? ive looked at it before and there are different kinds. i dont know which kind to get for her.

Redneck86

also what are some other good foods comparable to blue buffalo. i dont know if ill be able to pay twice as much for each bag of food for her. but i want her to have good food.

BullyGal

If you have a Tractor Supply nearby, get a bag of 4Health Performance Formula! Its about 35 bucks for 35lbs and I like it better than ToTW which is 50 for 35lbs. 1 bag lasts me for a month 1/2 feeding 2 dogs ~2 cups a day.

also try tying a rope toy to the end on the Flirt or Spring pole. Bones really aren't good for this. You need to keep her interest in the object, let her get it, then when she's not paying attention yank it. Also just playing fetch while having a high quality diet will build muscle.

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Saint Francis

Go to the Health/Nutrition section and you'll find a "sticky" of food comparisons...you will be overloaded with info!!!!

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Redneck86

Thank you. That's another thing with her, when I try to play fetch shell go get the ball and runs off with it. What can I do to get her to bring it back. Sometimes she doesn't even seem interested in getting ball.