Things You'll Need
- Springpole
- Standard collar
- Standard leash
- Toys
- Dog-safe treadmill (optional)
Instructions
Take your pit bull to the veterinarian for a thorough check-up and veterinary approval before starting any strengthening program. Your dog must be finished with its growth, so its joints are no longer soft and growing, before it can begin canine bodybuilding, long walks, hiking, jogging or other strenuous activities. This is usually around 18 months, but your veterinarian can best judge by examining your pup. If you ignore this rule, you could injure your puppy and those injuries could continue causing problems for its entire life.
Feed your blue pit bull a high-quality dry dog food only. Do not feed supplements of any kind unless prescribed or approved by your veterinarian. Even vitamins can be harmful if taken in the wrong dosages or the wrong combination. Steak, chicken, raw meat or inedible substances such as gun powder do not make your dog stronger or meaner. And too much human food, raw meat or other ingredients could make your dog sick.
Exercise your pit bull daily. For a puppy that is not yet old enough for conditioning, a regular walk two or three times a day along with off-leash romping is excellent. Swimming is another example of safe exercise. Romping in a fenced yard with you or another dog of similar weight and age is an excellent way for puppies to grow and develop. They should not be jumping up and down from vehicles or porches, should not be dragged and should not be allowed to play with much larger puppies. Once your pit bull is medically cleared for strength training, you can begin introducing the springpole, longer walks and jogging. Just as with humans, dogs must start slow and gradually increase their workouts.
Teach your dog to pull weights, once it is old enough. For endurance, use light weights up to 15 pounds for longer distances. For greater strength but less endurance, use heavier weights. Weight pull competitions may be enjoyable for both you and your pit bull. Do not add weights by wrapping heavy chains around the dog's neck or body; this practice is harmful and does not improve the muscles or strength. Train the dog to pull a wagon or sled with light weights instead. Gradually increase the distance and the weights, depending on your goals.