Corso energy

[Joeottobre]

Pullo is almost a year now and his energy levels seem to keep increasing. We've gone from where a couple of play sessions and a 1/2 mile walk in the evening would tire hime out, to daily 3-4 mile walks with him still fresh at the end.

I'm really happy about this, but frankly my feet hurt. At what point do they "level off"?

Also, how are adult corsi with extended jogs? I am being sensitive to his developing joints right now and trying to keep him at a brisk walk (although he ends up running circles around me anyway) but can I expect a running partner in another year?

Thanks!

 

[moonglow]

Do you do a good amount of training with Pullo? For a lot of dogs mental stimulation and exercise can be more draining than physical exercise. Working on basic obedience or tricks can be a good way to get the dog thinking. You can also try to play mental games, several of the forum members play "hide and seek" with their dogs and they say it does a great job of wearing them out (you can use either a toy or yourself as the object to seek).

Personally, I like to use a flirt pole to give Roly a nice workout and work on his toy drive, in addition to and occasionally to reinforce his training. One benefit of the flirt pole is the dog does most of the work, the dog runs and chases the toy while the person is pretty much stationary. Another nice thing about the flirt pole is that even dogs with a low toy/prey drive really get into it and you can use it to help build drive in any dog. Here is a nice video about how to make and use a flirt pole: [video=vimeo;26279876]http://vimeo.com/26279876[/video]

 

[Joeottobre]

That is an awesome idea! Definitely making one of those.

We do some training, a lot of it occurs when we are out on one of our hikes. We do play a hide and seek game at home, where I make him sit in the next room while I hide a toy and then call him in to search for it, but he seems to be able to play that endlessly.

Definitely making the flirt pole.

 

[shodanusmc]

My last Corso slowed down at around 9 years, and lived to 12. He still acted like a Puppy and did 3-5 mile walks, up hills, jogs, etc. My new Corso just turned 1 year. He gets a daily walk of 1-2 miles, and will be increasing it but not going to push him until he is around 18 months. He is also full of energy, so Obedience and distraction classes for him, and some doggie Day care so he can romp with other big dogs. We also have 3 Yorkies, but they play way too rough.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

LOL! The yorkies play too rough!!! Love it!!

My last Corso slowed down at around 9 years, and lived to 12. He still acted like a Puppy and did 3-5 mile walks, up hills, jogs, etc. My new Corso just turned 1 year. He gets a daily walk of 1-2 miles, and will be increasing it but not going to push him until he is around 18 months. He is also full of energy, so Obedience and distraction classes for him, and some doggie Day care so he can romp with other big dogs. We also have 3 Yorkies, but they play way too rough.

 

[Storminnorman310]

I had the exact opposite problem. Our pup is 8 weeks old and I thought he would never play with the kids now he never stops

 

[Ron Ackerman]

I'm presently conditioning Vulcan, who just turned 4, for the Schutzhund and Iron Dog AD endurance tests. The AD is a 12.4 mile run that has to be completed in two hours. We just finished week two of our six week conditioning program with a 4.5 mile run in 32 minutes. The plan is to have him up to 8 miles in one hour by the time we finish week six. He runs three times a week. After week six he will still run eight miles two or three a week to maintain his fitness level until he trials. He also does AKC and UKC Lure Coursing and in March will begin doing All Breed Lure Sport Association (ABLSA) sprint racing.

So, yes, with proper conditioning you can expect to have a running pardner. Maybe one with which you will have a hard time keeping up.

 

[Joeottobre]

I'm presently conditioning Vulcan, who just turned 4, for the Schutzhund and Iron Dog AD endurance tests. The AD is a 12.4 mile run that has to be completed in two hours. We just finished week two of our six week conditioning program with a 4.5 mile run in 32 minutes. The plan is to have him up to 8 miles in one hour by the time we finish week six. He runs three times a week. After week six he will still run eight miles two or three a week to maintain his fitness level until he trials. He also does AKC and UKC Lure Coursing and in March will begin doing All Breed Lure Sport Association (ABLSA) sprint racing.

So, yes, with proper conditioning you can expect to have a running pardner. Maybe one with which you will have a hard time keeping up.

That's amazing! Are there pics of Vulcan out there?

 

[Ron Ackerman]

Go to his Facebook page, El Mesquital Vulcan.

 

[Mojo]

Every group has to have an over achiever.... Vulcan is ours. Holy smoke! He is simply awesome, such good work you and he have accomplished.

 

[Ron Ackerman]

Thanks, but he has a lot more things ahead of him!

 

[Joeottobre]

Thanks again moonglow - I made the flirt pole today for about $18.00. Pullo is nicely exhausted!

 

[moonglow]

Your welcome. I'm glad it worked out for you, I know the flirt pole, along with a 6 ft long felt toy I have, are Roly's absolute favorite toys. It's a great tool for training also, as both a distraction and a reward.

 

[Joeottobre]

I used a 5 foot PVC with a 10 foot bungee threaded through it. It is really good not only for wearing him out, but teaching him restraint - he forces himself to stare off in the distance while I make the toy dance around him, until I say "take it". Priceless.