Phase Two
1. More trotting in a circle
2. Retrieve
3. A short sprint
4. A fast, longer recall
5. Warm up jump

Variations:
1. Walk 6 minutes
2. Trot 3 minutes
3. Tug
4. Recall
5. Retrieve

COOL DOWN ROUTINE

When the weather is cold, the cool down should start with trotting and end with walking (15 minutes total). When the weather is warm, walking is sufficient. A good schedule for the cool down would be: 5 to 10 minutes of trotting followed by 10 to 15 of walking.

I don't know about you, but I get tired just thinking about all that. But at the same time, does Chance deserve anything less from me?

OK, so we've warmed up our dog appropriately and plan to cool him down by the "rules" as well. What about ourselves? If I've completed some of the suggestions above, I've had at least a minimal warm up myself. But in the past I've still managed to pull a hamstring more than once and I know others who have done the same and worse. Consequently, these days both in classes and in a trial I try to do as many of the following stretching exercises that I can manage before we're called into the ring. The nice thing about these exercises is that one can do them standing at ring side with leash in hand or in class while the dog waits in their crate.

Remember, muscles should not be stretched when they are cold. Do not attempt any of these exercises until your muscles have been warmed up. I am not a medical professional so before you try these exercises, I would adivse that you check with your regular physician or physical therapist.

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