Core Concepts for Canines and Handlers
Core strength is essential for absolutely everything that we, and our Canine teammates, do. From sitting, or standing still, lifting and moving limbs, to more complex whole body movements. The core musculature controls it all. This means that the core strength and mobility of both you, and your Canine teammate, can have a huge impact on functionality in life, and ease and success in sports and dog training related activities.
Course Details
Core strength is essential for absolutely everything that we, and our Canine teammates, do. From sitting, or standing still, lifting and moving limbs, to more complex whole body movements. The core musculature controls it all. This means that the core strength and mobility of both you, and your Canine teammate, can have a huge impact on functionality in life, and ease and success in sports and dog training related activities.
Whilst core fitness is one part of the fitness puzzle, it’s the part that can have the biggest impact. Join this class for a focus on handler, and canine core strength, and see measurable improvements over just six weeks.
This class will cover a variety of theory, and practical components for both handler and canine core strength. This will include a large amount of specific exercises and variations for a wide variety of fitness levels. Kelly and Liz will be able to give specific feedback for working students to ensure exercises are performed in great form, and meet both the handlers and dogs specific needs.
Teaching Approach
Kelly and Liz will release lectures for the week all together at the start of the week. This will allow students to pick and choose the most important things to work on over the week.
Lectures will include combined concepts in lectures, and separate Canine, and Handler specific lectures. Lectures will include written and video based information.
Both Liz and Kelly often provide feedback for Gold and Silver students via video analysis using Loom, which is a link students click on to watch, and listen to, their specific feedback.
Syllabus
Week 1
- The importance of posture
- Warm up
- Handler assessment for core strength and posture
- Canine core strength assessment
- Postural base exercises for dogs
- Handler posture essentials: breathing, standing, and correct muscle engagement
- Canine postural essentials: breathing and stillness
- Canine and handler examples of the importance of posture
Week 2
- Isometric core
- Isometric muscle contraction
- Handler isometric workouts, with progressions
- Canine isometric exercise, with progressions
- Canine and handler examples of the importance of isometric muscle strength
Week 3
- Rotational/Moving core strength
- Canine isometric exercise, with progressions
- Handler isometric workouts, with progressions
- Canine and handler examples of the importance of isometric muscle strength
Week 4
- Anti-rotational core strength
- Canine isometric exercise, with progressions
- Handler isometric workouts, with progressions
- Canine and handler examples of the importance of isometric muscle strength
Week 5
- Reactive core stability
- Canine isometric exercise, with progressions
- Handler isometric workouts, with progressions
- Canine and handler examples of the importance of isometric muscle strength
Week 6
- Re-assessment to look at progress
- Looking big picture: how the core is part of the puzzle
- A ‘big picture’ handler workout
- A ‘big picture’ canine handout
- Wrap up and thanks!
Sample Lecture
1.3 Handler assessment of core strength
We're going to establish a benchmark for your core strength through timed front and both side plank holds. Super fun, I know! ;)
Because accessibility is everything, let’s talk about the benchmark if planking from your feet and elbows isn’t achievable quite yet. If this is you, you’re going to time how long you can hold a plank, both sides and front, from your elbows and knees. Make note about your contact points (elbows and knees).
It’s fair, in a lot of cases, to anticipate moving to your elbows and toes throughout the course. GOALS!!
Front plank instructions:
Side plank instructions:
Record your time below, and note if you were on your toes or knees, to track your progress.
Date | Front plank | R Side plank | L Side plank |
Oct 1 | |||
Oct 8 | |||
Oct 15 | |||
Oct 22 | |||
Oct 29 | |||
Nov 5 |
Instructors
Kelly Daniel (She/her) is a learning and dog training addict. She has been training and competing with her dogs (of various shapes and forms) for around 15 years ...
Liz Joyce has been at the forefront of the fitness industry since 2006, with a specialized focus on the unique needs of dog handlers ...
Registration
Choose the plan that fits your goals and start learning at your own pace.
Gold
$260
Enrollment limit: 15
- Access to all lectures and homework forums discussion
- Read all posted questions and answers
- Watch all posted videos
- Post general questions to discussion forum
- Submit written assignments
- Post dog specific questions
- Post videos (unlimited)
- Receive instructor feedback
Registration dates:
November 22, 2025 - December 15, 2025
Silver
$130
Enrollment limit: 25
- Access to all lectures and homework forums discussion
- Read all posted questions and answers
- Watch all posted videos
- Post general questions to discussion forum
- Post dog specific questions (video only)
- Post videos (up to 2)
- Receive instructor feedback
Registration dates:
November 22, 2025 - December 15, 2025
Bronze
$65
Enrollment limit: Unlimited
- Access to all lectures and homework forums discussion
- Read all posted questions and answers
- Watch all posted videos
Registration dates:
November 22, 2025 - December 15, 2025
Scholarship available! Apply here
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