What Is Stamina?
Stamina is your dog's ability to keep doing an activity without becoming too tired.
Think about a dog playing fetch. The first few runs may look fast, smooth, and easy. After many runs, the dog may start to slow down or move differently.
That change can happen as the muscles become tired.
Good stamina helps a dog keep its strength and control during an active day. This can matter for dogs that:
- play hard
- hike with their families
- swim or run
- take part in dog sports
- spend long days being active
A dog does not have to compete in a sport to benefit from good stamina.
Stamina and Endurance Are Different
Stamina and endurance are often used to mean the same thing, but they are a little different.
Stamina is the ability to perform an activity again and again.
Endurance is the ability to continue an activity for a long period of time.
For example, a dog doing several short agility runs during the day needs stamina.
A dog running several miles with its owner needs endurance.
Some activities need both.
A dog on a long hike needs endurance to keep going. The dog also needs stamina to continue moving well as the day goes on.
Different Activities Ask Different Things From the Body
Some activities depend more on strength.
Running fast, jumping, turning, chasing, and other short bursts of activity all require strength.
Dog sports such as agility, flyball, FastCAT, dock diving, and many other activities include these quick and powerful movements.
If a dog performs these activities many times during the day, stamina becomes important too.
Other activities depend more on endurance. Long-distance running, canicross, bikejoring, and similar activities require the body to keep working for a much longer time.
Even these dogs still need stamina because their bodies must continue working well as they become tired.
Why Does Fatigue Matter?
Getting tired after exercise is normal.
The concern is what can happen to movement when the muscles become very tired.
Muscles do more than move the body. They also help control and support the joints.
As muscles become tired, a dog may have more trouble controlling its movement.
A tired dog may:
- slow down
- become less careful with its feet
- change its body position
- have trouble correcting a slip or bad step
- lose some control during turns or jumps
- stop doing an activity that was easy earlier
Fatigue does not mean a dog will automatically become injured.
However, poor movement and reduced muscle control can increase the chance of a strain, sprain, fall, or other injury.
Movement Quality Matters
It is easy to measure exercise by time or distance.
You might say:
"My dog walked three miles today."
But distance does not tell the whole story.
Two dogs can walk the same distance and have very different experiences.
Age, fitness level, body condition, speed, terrain, health, and past injuries can all affect how hard an activity feels.
That is why it is important to watch how your dog moves, not just how far your dog goes.
A dog that starts moving differently as activity continues may be getting tired.
Fitness Builds Over Time
Fitness does not happen all at once.
The body becomes stronger when it is challenged and then given time to recover.
A good conditioning program may work on several areas, including:
- strength
- balance
- coordination
- body awareness
- stamina
- endurance
The goal is not simply to make a dog exercise longer.
The goal is to help the dog's body become better prepared for the activities it normally performs.
Recovery Is Part of Fitness
Rest is an important part of exercise.
Muscles need time to recover after challenging activity.
Doing more and more exercise without enough recovery does not always lead to better fitness.
A gradual approach gives the body time to adapt.
The original article also explains that changes in body position, fidgeting, moving away, or stopping an exercise can be signs that the muscles are becoming tired.
Paying attention to these changes can help owners recognize when an activity is becoming difficult.
Active Family Dogs Are Athletes Too
When people hear the words "canine athlete," they may think about agility, flyball, dock diving, or another dog sport.
But family dogs can be very athletic too.
Think about a dog that:
- chases a ball across the yard
- runs with another dog
- hikes on uneven trails
- swims
- plays at the beach
- spends an active day outdoors
All of these activities require the body to work.
Strength, coordination, balance, stamina, and endurance can matter for family dogs just as they do for competition dogs.
A dog does not need a ribbon or trophy to benefit from good physical conditioning.
Watch for Changes During Activity
You know what normal activity looks like for your dog.
Pay attention when something changes.
Signs that activity may be becoming difficult can include:
- slowing down sooner than usual
- stopping or lying down often
- becoming less coordinated
- changing the way the body moves
- stiffness after activity
- limping
- difficulty getting up afterward
- avoiding an activity the dog normally enjoys
These signs do not tell us exactly what is wrong.
They simply tell us that something has changed.
Pain, limping, stiffness, or a new change in movement should be discussed with your veterinarian before starting or increasing an exercise program.
Fitness Is Not the Same as Rehabilitation
Fitness and veterinary rehabilitation have different purposes.
Fitness and conditioning help appropriate dogs build or maintain physical ability.
Veterinary rehabilitation is medical care for dogs with injuries, pain, mobility problems, neurological conditions, recovery after surgery, and other medical needs.
A dog with a new injury, pain, lameness, or change in mobility may need a veterinary evaluation before taking part in a fitness program.
There is no single exercise plan that is right for every dog.
The Big Idea
Stamina is not only important for competition dogs.
It matters whenever a dog needs to stay active and continue moving well.
Strength helps the body perform powerful movements.
Endurance helps the body keep going for a long time.
Stamina helps the dog continue performing activities as the day goes on.
And recovery gives the body time to prepare for the next activity.
Together, these parts of fitness can help active dogs keep doing the things they enjoy.
