The Penn Vet Working Dog Center Fit to Work Program: A Formalized Method for Assessing and Developing Foundational Canine Physical Fitness

Abstract

Fit to Work is a formalized working dog foundational physical fitness assessment and development program. The Penn Vet Working Dog Center developed this program to address the needs of working dog handlers, trainers, and programs for simple, effective, and efficient methods to develop and assess working dog physical fitness. Fit to Work focuses on the foundational fitness modalities of strength, stability, mobility, and proprioception. The Penn Vet Working Dog Center piloted and refined this program over 3 months in a closed population of 31 working dogs in training. Fit to Work consists of posture development and maintenance, warm-up and cool-down routines, training exercises, and assessment methods. To simplify implementation for dogs and personnel, the foundational training program incorporates a discrete number of exercises, standardized progression steps, defined criteria for progression, and a reduced emphasis on learned behaviors. Fit to Work also enables safe and progressive assessment of foundational fitness through a tiered and inexpensive process. Future research will focus on validation of training and assessment methods, development of assessment standards, and correlation of physical fitness with operational performance.

Keywords: canine physical fitness; exercise program; fitness assessment; musculoskeletal system; performance; working dogs.

Figure 1

(A) Shows the Paws-up. (B–D) Show the Figure-8. (E–H) Show the Four-Position Cookie Stretch [(E) Nose to hip, (F) Nose to shoulder, (G) Nose to rear foot, and (H) Nose to chest].

Figure 2

(A) Shows the Posture Sit in the correct position. Note the straight line from the head to the base of the tail. The forelimb is extended in a straight line. The stifle is dorsal to or just cranial to the digits (line 1 shows the range of the stifle over the digits). (B) Shows the Posture Sit in the incorrect position. Note the rounded forelimb and spine (cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral). The stifle is positioned caudal to the digits.

Figure 3

(A) Shows the Posture Down in the correct position. Note the straight line from the head to the base of the tail. The forelimb is flexed at the elbow and shoulder. The stifle is dorsal to or just cranial to the digits. (B) Shows the Posture Down in the incorrect position. Note the extended elbow and rounded spine (cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral). The hindlimbs are abducted and the stifle is caudal to the digits. The red arrow indicates the abduction of the hind foot. (C) Shows the correct position of the Posture Down from above (the dorsal view) the dog. All four ipsilateral limbs are aligned in a sagittal plane, and the hindlimb digits are obscured by the stifles.

Figure 4

(A–H) Illustrate the Pivot. (I–N) Show progression of the Pivot [(I) Level 1, (J) Level 2, (K) Level 3, (L) Level 4, (M) Level 5 (maximum for this dog), and (N) Level 6 (too high for this dog)].

Figure 5

(A) Shows the Plank setup (1 shows the recommended three-block front object), starting position [2 illustrates a vertical distal forelimb and 3 illustrates vertical metatarsals (rear pastern)] and measurements (4 is the hip height and 5 is the distance between the objects). (B–E) Show progression of the Plank [(B) Level 2, (C) Level 4, (D) Level 6, and (E) Level 8].

Figure 6

(A) Shows the beginning progression of the Chipmunk—note the stifle dorsal to the digits. This position is held for <2 s. (B) Shows the correct Chipmunk position. The spine is straight, the stifles are dorsal to the digits, the carpi are suspended between the shoulders and elbows, and the head is in a neutral position. (C) Shows an incorrect Chipmunk. The spine is rounded in all three segments, the stifle is caudal to the digits, the dog's entire weight is resting on the ischium of the pelvis that is touching the ground.

Figure 7

(A–E) Illustrate the Squat. (F) Shows the restricted area platform. (G–J) Show progression of the Squat [(G) Level 1, (H) Level 2, (I) Level 3 (maximum for this dog), and (J) Level 4 (too high for this dog)].

Figure 8

(A,B) Show the first progression of Back-up on the ground. (C–F) Shows a more advanced progression of the Back-up, backing up stairs. (G–K) Shows another advanced progression of the Back-up, backing up a vertical wall.