Building Better Bonds: Canine Conditioning with the Young Kennel Club (YKC)

Last month, I had the pleasure of leading a series of canine conditioning workshops for the Young Kennel Club summer camp event. The YKC aim to provide young people with a place to train their dogs and compete against members of a similar age (aged 6-24).

They owe their existence to the vision of one person: Daphne MacDougall. Daphne was instrumental during the 1980s in convincing The Kennel Club that young people needed a club and a voice of their own within The Kennel Club.

During the very enjoyable day I spent with them, I met an inspiring group of young handlers dedicated to the wellbeing and performance of their dogs.

My sessions focused on practical, fun, and safe exercises that help dogs move better, feel stronger, and stay injury-free.

Canine conditioning is much more than a fitness trend — it’s about building strong foundations in posture, balance, strength, and coordination. Whether a dog competes in agility, obedience, or simply enjoys walks in the park, conditioning can boost performance and prevent injury and preventative care is something I feel very passionately about.

During the workshops, we explored observing the posture of the dog and how that builds an understanding of where their dogs starting points are. We then moved onto basic core-strengthening exercises using pilates blocks, cavelti poles etc. It was fantastic to see the young handlers (and parents) so engaged — asking thoughtful questions, trying exercises with enthusiasm, and truly tuning into their dogs’ bodies and how that affects their dogs performance.

Beyond the physical exercises, I hope the handlers left with a deeper understanding of how their dogs move, how to spot early signs of discomfort, and how small daily habits can lead to long-term health benefits.

Working with the YKC was a joy, and I’m already looking forward to future workshops.

If you’re curious about canine conditioning or want to bring a session to your local club, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

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