5 Tips for Agility Success Outside the Ring

Today we're participating in the quarterly Dog Agility Blog Action Day, where agility bloggers from across the universe post on a specific topic. Today's topic is…

Outside the Ring

Whether you compete in agility or another sport, what you do OUTSIDE of your sport can make all the difference in how much you enjoy participating or competing IN your sport.  Check out the great collection of blogs who posted today and then read down for the top 5 non-agility activities we do outside the ring to help our success and enjoyment inside the ring.

Rocco and I had a great time as we kicked off our first full agility season together this past weekend at a USDAA trial in the Atlanta area.  We're gelling as a team, we're both focused and fit and the time we spend inside the ring is just plain fun. 

Here are the top 5 things we've done outside the ring to help our performance inside the ring.

Rocco works out on his K9FITbone

1. Cross training not only builds up our strength and stamina, but it also keeps us from overtraining in agility. Early this year, I knew I was going to have to step up my game to keep up with Rocco, and that means strength training, core conditioning and endurance work for me as well as for Rocco. We can participate together in some of the workout activities I teach as a K9 Fit Club instructor and we also hike, walk and play backyard running games.
2. Good nutrition and hydration for both Rocco and me is super important to keep us fit, trim, focused and feeling great.  I stay away from fast food and overly processed foods and Rocco gets high quality food and treats. It wasn't always this way for me… it's too easy to stop for a quick burger on the way to agility class, but I was feeling pretty awful. So the fast food had to go and it's made all the difference. 
3. Stretching helps keeps both of us flexible to help reduce the risk of injuries. Other benefits include less muscle soreness, improved range of motion and the ability to run without pain!
4. Play is perhaps the most important thing that's helped us come together as a team. There's no stress, no pressure and it's just fun to work together. For us, play includes learning new tricks, fetch, chasing discs, running in circles around the house, playing tug, playing chase in the backyard and just about anything we can think of!
5. Rest may be the most overlooked activity of them all. We all need a day of rest to recharge and recuperate. Rest helps to keep us focused when we do train or compete and it help keep us both from overtraining and getting injured.

What do you do outside of your regular sport or activity?