Class Registration

Heather Freeman Seminar #2 (2pm-6pm) - Fitness for the K9 Athlete

Class begins on 6/28/2026 and ends on 6/28/2026

Class starts at 2:00 PM and ends at 6:00 PM

Duration: Half Day Seminar (2pm-6pm)

Training Level: Multi Level

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Registrar: Mary Ellen Carney (mecarney@att.net)

Description:

Fitness for the K9 Athlete

This seminar will cover strengthening and conditioning exercises for the canine athlete. Though the focus sports will be Agility and Dock Diving, dogs who participate in other sports, such as Obedience, Flyball, and Bitework, will also benefit, as there is plenty of crossover.

Handlers and dogs do not need previous experience in fitness work, and all levels are welcome. Exercises will be advanced for any teams that have already mastered the basic skillset.

The seminar will kick off with a presentation on the benefits of fitness for the canine athlete, covering the “Whys” and “Whens” of working out, then move into the “Hows” with the dogs. We will also cover warm-up and cool-down exercises by doing warm-ups at the start and cool-downs at the end. Participants will learn a variety of fitness exercises that cover all aspects of the canine athlete’s form and function, and by the end, should have a good handle on how to implement these exercises into their regular training program.

Handler/Dog teams with marker skills are encouraged to bring along their clickers, if they use them. Please bring treats your dog loves as well, keep the value high! No other equipment is needed as the club has plenty to use.

About Heather:

Heather Freeman (CCSC, CCAS, and FitDog Instructor) 

Heather has been coaching dog sports for over 16 years, with an emphasis on Dock Diving and other water-related training. With a background in canine rehabilitation and nutrition, Heather always had an interest in the fitness aspects of dog sports, and she began formalizing that interest in 2020 by earning her CCAS (Certified Canine Athletic Specialist) through Northeast K9 Conditioning. This was followed by an intensive course taught by Bobbie Lyons at North Caroline State University, wherein she earned her title of CCSC (Canine Strength & Conditioning Coach). Heather integrates fitness training into all her work and considers sport training a holistic practice where all aspects of a dog's life contribute to being a fit and fabulous athlete.

Heather’s personal dogs - a Border Collie and two Malinois - spend time playing and competing in Dock Diving, Agility, MondioRing, Shed Hunting, and Disc. Most of all, Heather and her dogs enjoy spending quality time together outdoors, enjoying nature, especially at the beach.

Prerequisites:

Dogs must be over 6 months of age, healthy, and cleared for fitness exercises. This is not rehabilitation work, and neither injured nor post-op dogs may participate.