Instead of working out on a flat surface or single incline, as with most treadmills, dogs get to use all their muscles to run sidehill, uphill and down. Of course, in the field dogs rapidly condition beyond our time to run them. To advance dogs beyond that point, the weight-training plan evolved by Purina's Bob West is my first choice. Bob starts cautiously. Preseason generally means hot weather, and heat stroke is a very real threat.
Symptoms are relentless panting, staggering and beet-red mouth tissue.
Give the dog a cool drink and splash water on its belly. Don't use ice or very cold water, which will cause the blood vessels in the skin to constrict, resulting in the blood failing to cool and body heat being trapped. Don't wet down the dog's back, either. The hair will mat, and normal heat loss through convection will be reduced. Limit runs to 20 or 30 minutes at first, and carry water in a bicycle bottle.