Our exercises are great for helping puppies and young dogs learn how to use their body in a safe, controlled and low-impact way. Dog fitness is also a great way to build a strong bond with your dog and to just have fun. Therefore, young athletes can benefit greatly from conditioning programmes! However, the programmes have to be done properly and under a low intensity and volume of training. The goal with young dogs should be to build up proprioception, balance and flexibility, and not to gain muscle mass (at least not until they are 6-8 months old). Therefore, this means that this course is most suitable for dogs that are at least 7 months old so that they can take part in all the exercises that are presented! If you own a dog younger than 7 months, you can, of course, join the class earlier, too. But make sure you start with the basics (or even first take part in our FUNdamentals K9 conditioning course first) and then slowly progress. We have dedicated a whole lesson to how it’s best to exercise young dogs – and made sure everything is properly explained within the course. It is important, though, that you follow the recommendations and adapt exercises to the age of your pup. Remember to slowly progress to mastering the exercises. However, for the serious strength-building exercises that are included in this class it is best that you wait a little longer – until your dog is older. That being said though, we believe working on separate exercises is great for younger dogs to start with! Beacuse you get to keep access to the whole course for a lifetime, you can simply spend the first few weeks and months on teaching the foundational behaviours, and only then actually move to the more challenging exercises (when your dog is ready). You do not have to worry that the course will “end” before our young dog is old enough for it.