SportsVet Performance Introductory Presentation Video by Dr. Robert Gillette
I do not feel we have touched all of the potential capabilities of our canine companions. Whether it is detection, racing, hunting or just optimal function, my goal is to improve how they perform and to expand our knowledge on their potential utilizations. For this reason I would like to introduce others to this work. I am sure their are many others who could expand on this information and relay it or teach it to others who may also be interested. I have developed some online courses to help educate others in the field of Canine Performance.
My world revolves around canine performance. There are so many types of dogs and they can do so many things, it is truly hard to comprehend. I recently created a webpage that covered all of the various activities in which dogs participate. It can be accessed by selecting this link: Athletic and Working Dog Activities. I grew up hunting in Western Kansas and had an interest in hunting dogs. I received my DVM from Kansas State University in 1988. I then became interested in the Racing Greyhound. Studying their elite abilities introduced me to the field of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. I received a MSE from the University of Kansas, Department Human of Performance in 1998. I began working for Auburn University in 1997 and in 2000 I became Director of the Veterinary Sports Medicine Program (Animal Health & Performance Program). While at Auburn, I expanded my interests to many other types of athletic and working dogs. I initiated and oversaw a canine performance laboratory where I utilized and developed various testing protocols to assess the metabolic factors associated with performance of the dog. The research led to the development of exercise programs, feeding protocols and nutritional products that improved the dogs’ abilities. This information has application to many other dogs and their activities including: Sled Dogs, Working dogs, Police dogs, Military Working dogs, Detection dogs, Guide dogs, Service dogs, Coursing dogs, Hunting Dogs, Pointers, Retrievers, Flushers, Herding dogs, Coonhounds, Foxhounds, Beagles, Earth dogs, Dogs who compete in Obedience, Agility, Dog Pulls as well as many other dog activities.
The below presentation, “Optimizing Canine Performance”, is an introduction to the Science of Canine Performance. Whenever one is dealing with a Canine Athlete or Working Dog, it is important to recognize the Athleticism of the dog. Dogs are unbelievably capable of so many things that it is hard to understand these abilities through our human concepts. Once we accept this and learn the nuances of the canine metabolism, we can focus on ways to optimize their related capabilities. It is important to understand that when we focus on systems optimizations, it will result in a reduction of injuries and exercise-related illness or sickness. So, there are multiple benefits to a proper conditioning and training program. There is an improvement in performance as well as an improvement in overall health and structure. I made this presentation to present some of the basic concepts of proper conditioning as well as some of the underlying issues that can be factors in the canine performance.
Note from the presenter: This is a presentation of information related to athletic and working dogs. I think it will become obvious to the viewer that I am not a professional speaker. I did not create this video as an entertainment piece but as an information source for anyone who has an interest in Canine Athletes or Working Dogs. It was developed to introduce the viewer to the concepts involved in understanding Canine Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology. For more information you are invited to visit our website, www.sportsvet.com.
Thank you for your interest!
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