Used by almost all professional human athletes, interval training has long been recognized as one of the most effective ways to improve cardiovascular and respiratory fitness and build endurance. It turns out that interval training is an ideal workout for dogs too.

How to apply interval training for dogs?

Interval training is made up of phases of high intensity work and easier rest phases.

You need to create short bursts of strenuous activity followed by periods of rest, raising and lowering the heart rate multiple times during the session.
Interval Training is a key training system to increase the power of our dogs, an essential element in speed racing!

It’s also an interesting exercise for dogs who struggle to pull consistently during longer training runs. Interval training can help build their fitness but also their drive to pull.

What should you pay attention to before trying it?

Interval training should only be one part of your overall training plan. Don’t forget to introduce it progressively, especially for beginner dogs, to prevent injuries (over the course of several weeks!).

This type of cardiovascular training also burns more calories than typical sessions, so remember to adjust nutrition accordingly.

Make sure to warm up your dog thoroughly before this type of high-intensity training. You can also include a progressive cool-down with a lower-intensity run or even a walk.

Stay attentive to any signs of discomfort or fatigue in your dog.

Finally, don’t underestimate the need for your canine athlete to have an annual veterinary check-up to monitor their health and evaluate their effective performance potential.