The Art Of Balancing Training, Recovery and Performance with Sport Dogs ft. Mel Doyle - Part II

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Make sure to check out Part I before you dive into Part II!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/761645/episodes/17462029

What happens between competitions might be the most critical factor determining your dog's peak performance and long-term well-being. In this deep-dive conversation, Lauren Langman welcomes back small animal physiotherapist Mel Doyle to unpack the science of effective recovery for competition dogs.

This eye-opening episode continues to dive into how we approach training schedules, revealing why high-drive dogs need carefully structured programs that balance building capabilities without overtaxing their bodies. You'll discover why many mentally talented dogs lack the physical development to support their competitive spirit, and how proper muscle conditioning prevents career-ending injuries.

Mel shares her expert framework for structuring the perfect training week, explaining the concepts of peaking and tapering that elite handlers use to optimise performance. You'll learn exactly when to schedule treadmill sessions, land-based exercises, and professional treatments around competition weekends, with specific adaptations for dogs competing on different days.

The conversation tackles practical questions most handlers face: Should you take your dog to the beach before a competition weekend? Which recovery tools deliver the best results for specific dogs? How should you feed a competition dog throughout the day? When is a harness better than a collar, and which harness design minimises movement restriction?

Perhaps most valuable is their discussion of seasonal planning. Mel reveals why a full month off from agility training (while maintaining baseline fitness) followed by a strategic 12-week buildup creates the optimal performance curve for seasoned competitors.

Whether you're managing multiple dogs across endless events or simply want your weekend warrior to perform their best, this episode delivers the recovery roadmap that makes sustainable excellence possible. Your dog's performance potential depends not just on their skills training, but on the recovery strategy between competitions and this conversation provides the blueprint.

Bookmark both Part I & II to reference back for all the amazing golden nuggets planted throughout! 

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