April Challenge:

The Adventure Athlete Circuit

To earn your April merit patch, complete these five conditioning tasks alongside your monthly goal of logging 15 km of total distance (preferably outdoors!).

1. Stamina: The Sustained Trot

  • The Set up: Choose a flat, familiar path or a treadmill where your dog can move without frequent interruptions. Use a standard leash and a well-fitted harness to ensure you maintain control over a steady pace.
  • The Move: Maintain a steady, purposeful trot for a full 15 minutes without stopping to sniff.
  • The Benefit: This continues to build cardiovascular endurance and metabolic efficiency, ensuring your dog is ready for longer spring hikes.

2. Balance: The Beam Walk

  • The Set up: Erect a sturdy beam with a solid entrance and exit platform. Have several treats ready in your hand.
  • The Move: Hold a treat low next to the board so your dog can see both their feet and the beam; lure them slowly across while using your other hand to guard their body in case they slip. Give treats along the way and use your voice or hand to slow them down at the end to prevent them from leaping off the exit platform.
  • The Benefit: This improves core stability and fine motor control while navigating narrow surfaces.

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3. Strength: The Wall Stand

  • The Set up: Find a clear section of wall with non-slip flooring underneath.
  • The Move: Hold a treat at your dog’s nose height against the wall and slowly slide it upward just out of reach to coax them into a standing position. Once they are up against the wall, hold them there for 3 seconds by letting them nibble on the treat.
  • The Benefit: This exercise builds significant strength in the rear assembly and hind legs.

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4. Coordination: Scatter Sticks

  • The Set up: Scatter several poles (or similar objects like broomsticks) randomly on the ground.
  • The Move: Use a leash to slowly walk your dog through the scattered objects. Your dog may stumble at first, but by the fifth repetition, they should begin deliberately thinking about the placement of their back feet.
  • The Benefit: This is an excellent exercise for "proprioception"—specifically teaching the dog to be aware of their hind limbs.

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5. Flexibility: 2-On/2-Off Bow

  • The Set up: Start with your dog on a low platform in front of a touch target.
  • The Move: Lure your dog to touch the target while keeping the treat low; they should go into a bow (if they try to lie down, place a hand under their belly). As they progress, move to a higher platform and vary the target placement to change the stretch angle of the shoulders and hips.
  • The Benefit: This provides a deep stretch for the forequarters and promotes flexibility in the psoas and shoulders.

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Coach Nancy’s Professional Tip:

"For the Scatter Sticks, don't rush! The slower the dog moves, the more they have to think about where each paw lands. This is where the real brain-to-body connection happens!"

 

Need help with the moves?

Don't worry if these sound technical! We have posted video demonstrations for each exercise to help you learn the proper form and keep it fun. 

Need help or adapting for a disability? Don't worry if these sound technical! We have posted video demonstrations for each exercise to help you learn.

We also want you to know that you don’t need professional equipment. No tunnel? You can make one using chairs and a blanket! The goal is to have fun, so if your dog has a disability, adaptations can absolutely be made. Even our own Cooper, who has hip dysplasia, modifies the exercises. He doesn't like putting his head in tunnels, so just the crawling motion is good enough for him.

The Reward: A personalized Athlete Circuit Certificate of Achievement (Digital) and the opportunity to order your custom-stitched Athlete Circuit Merit Patch.

Reward Type Description Cost
Digital Certificate A high-quality, printable PDF with your dog's name and achievement. FREE
Physical Patch A custom-embroidered 3.5" Athlete Circuit patch for your dog's gear. $10.00
spring Warrior Status Complete April, May, and June to earn a "The Resilient Rover" bonus certificate! Included

 

How to Participate

  • Track Your Progress: Use your GPS or phone health app for walks and check off your conditioning tasks as you go.

  • The Log: Consistency is key! Break the 15 km into smaller walks and try one new conditioning task a week.

  • Submit Your Proof: By May 4th, by filling out the form bellow.

Download your April Training log and fill it out as you go. 

Get your April training log

 

 

Please Submit your April results no later than May 4th

 Submit April Results

 

At Humble Dog, we believe movement is medicine. As a Canine Conditioning Fitness Coach, I designed the Adventure Club to help you keep your dog fit, focused, and functional through every season. Whether you're logging miles or working on core stability, every achievement brings you closer to a healthier dog.