Esky the husky Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 Just something I've been musing a fair bit lately. What determines how much energy a dog has? Is it something he's born with? Has it got to do with quality and quantity of food? Do energy level increase with greater fitness? I'd be interested to hear what people have to say on this subject. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 Just something I've been musing a fair bit lately. What determines how much energy a dog has? Is it something he's born with? Has it got to do with quality and quantity of food? Do energy level increase with greater fitness? I'd be interested to hear what people have to say on this subject. :D Some dogs are just born ready to go and don't have an off switch. From my expereinces, yes what you put into them in terms of food and supplements directly affects energy and performance, it's especially evident in my race dogs. And yes energy increases with fitness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizT Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 Just something I've been musing a fair bit lately. What determines how much energy a dog has? Is it something he's born with? Has it got to do with quality and quantity of food? Do energy level increase with greater fitness? I'd be interested to hear what people have to say on this subject. :D Some dogs are just born ready to go and don't have an off switch. From my expereinces, yes what you put into them in terms of food and supplements directly affects energy and performance, it's especially evident in my race dogs. And yes energy increases with fitness. agree. I find the same with myself, if I eat well, drop a couple of kilos and get enough exercise I feel great. When I eat junk and slug around I don't have much energy at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esky the husky Posted April 1, 2012 Author Share Posted April 1, 2012 (edited) So I should be more persistent in getting Esky excercising more, to get her to top fitness. I'm looking into getting a treadmill as well, so we can get a few decent excercise sessions in per day. Food wise what do you feed your race dogs Pav lova (if you don't mind me asking) Edited April 1, 2012 by Esky the husky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverStar-Aura Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 I heard that a high protein diet can be good for energy levels. My trainer when I was taking Kirah to puppy obedience said that because she's a high energy puppy to cut back on any extra raw chicken I was giving her, just to see if that would help settle her. Don't know if it's true though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 Mine doesn't have an off switch she was born high energy. Even after exercise a quick nap (if that) and she's rearing to go again. I wish I had a couch potato dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mason_Gibbs Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 (edited) I have 2 labs, one is still young ( soon 9 months) but the difference in energy levels is amazing, even as a puppy Mason never got excited about things like Gibbs does. I put it wn to genes, Masons Mum Is a very calm deep thinking dog, so is Mason. Gibbs' mum is very excitable and so he is he. Both mine eat the same so it's nt the food. Edited April 1, 2012 by Mason_Gibbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 A couple of studies worth reading: The Nutritional Requirements of Exercising Dogs Hematological and metabolic responses to training in racing sled dogs containing medium, low or zero carbohydrate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvsdogs Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 I've had 2 Border Collies & they have both been reasonably quiet dogs. Not at all like you'd expect Borders to be. I put it down to my lifestyle. I used to take my 1st BC to training, obedience & agility 5 times a week. My present BC goes to obedience training & sheep herding once a week & I've been teaching her 'moves' for k9freestyle. They both enjoy/ed their outings but happy to spend their days sleeping or playing with our other dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 I would have said its a combination of: Breed Temperament Level of fitness Nutrition Age Fastest way I know of to make a dog slow down is to make it fat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 I think each dog has a base line 'energy level' that is then influenced by nutrition, fitness and other environmental conditions (i.e. joint health etc). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 (edited) So I should be more persistent in getting Esky excercising more, to get her to top fitness. I'm looking into getting a treadmill as well, so we can get a few decent excercise sessions in per day. Food wise what do you feed your race dogs Pav lova (if you don't mind me asking) Pro Plan Performance as their dry. They also have about 200grams of kennels mince (chicken/beef) and every second day they have either lamb flap or chicken carcass for breakfast, that all depends on when they race. Supplements include White E as a antioxidant, they also have Aminovite GB. If they require an extra boost they have Muscle Pro The most important thing they always have after any run or strenuous exercise is either Vytrate or Recharge. My Staffords are fed in a similar way and are kept fit, however they don't require the supplements. They have either PPP or Canidae and they have more fresh meat on the bone. The key to fitness is a variety of training. They each do 5k's a day on various surfaces. Several days a week I swap that for a free run in the park playing fetch and only do about 2.5k's, one day a weeks it's a swim in the dam until they are buggered and they also run off the bike. It's important to give them a rest day too. ETA: they are fed twice a day when working hard. Meat in the morning, dry at night and they exercise late afternoon and go to bed on full stomachs. Edited April 1, 2012 by Pav Lova Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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