I have an almost 4 year old mixed breed dog. She stands 25" tall and weighs a lean 68lbs. She sees the vet on a regular basics and is very healthy. She gets quality kibble, plenty of mental and physical training. We compete in agility, which she LOVES and is very good. BUT, she has NO stamina. We've run bloodwork and everything looks good.
I used to show her in 3 classes, but have recently dropped her down to 2 classes. At our last 3 trails, she's ran clean in her jumpers class, but was over time by 2-3 seconds. She is super agile and can turn really light, she just gets tired and slows down.
Is there a supplement of some sort that would help increase her stamina?
My 6 month old puppy and 10 year old dog both have more stamina.
Dogs just as people do slow down as they age and it's up to you to adjust conditions to allow for this.
Has she had an echo cardiogram? Stamina is also individual to each dog.
Sorry I took so long to get back to you, just found the tube of supplement that I give prior to each event. It's Petco Brand Adult vitamin Gel supposedly "a complete multi vitamin mineral gel Helps keep dogs active, healthy and happy."
I use a home made electrolyte* solution during competition in small amounts and a paste like vitamin/energy just prior to an event, also a very small amount (less than a 1/4 inch ribbon).
It is also important to keep the dog cool between events, I use a misting fan/shade.
*Tablespoon honey, teaspoon salt in one quart of water, solution should be refrigerated to prevent spoiling.
My dog has been a champion racer/lure courser for the past six years in a row and was recently invited(only sixteen top dogs were invited) to participate in the Purina Challenge but since he recently had a lumpectomy I had to decline.
Forgot to mention other than now because of the lumpectomy he needs two weeks complete rest, he and his sister have access to five acres through a dogie door from sunrise to sunset, where they're in constant hunting mode.
Oh and I also use to play fetch with it twice daily. The stuff in the tube wasn't in my first aid kit, it was a Petco product, go to the store and read the tubes as to what they have.
By doing Hill work, and hill walking, ( the higher the better ) and Swimming. if there a possibility of both ie a high lake area around for example, then try to do some of her agility exercises up there also. You can also increase her protein intake by giving her a high protein pork based dog food if you can find a ready source.One specially for working dogs would be the best. The extra exercise at higher altitude will increase her lung capacity thus allowing her to take in more oxygen at lower levels. With the exercise and higher source of more digestible food also, comes an increase in weight, she will develop longer stronger muscles, thus the dog may need an extra source of calcium also... (for her own bones) A ready source and costless is very very finely powdered eggshell added to her food....... http://www.google.de/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogfoodproject.com%2F%3Fpage%3Dmyths&ei=01mGVcDkIMvoUtK9gaAO&usg=AFQjCNHcjsTMikLicqwfLdlT17ONdEMkCA&sig2=b_BOR673kZbkc4NFxOEcbQ&bvm=bv.96339352,d.d24