Louise and Michelle chat to Emily Thomas, co-director of Canactive Hydrotherapy Centre, and underwater treadmill used for both rehabilitation of injuries, and fitness and conditioning, to future-proof our pups!

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Pickle's physio: registered veterinary nurse, and animal physiotherapist Sophie Sparrow about common canicross injuries, and how best to condition our dogs to help prevent these.

Sophie talks us through how to recognise injuries in our dogs (who are very good at hiding weaknesses from us!) and how we can best treat these.

We also talk about the kind of strength training our dogs should be doing. Top tip - walk VERY VERY slowly!

Sophie refers to two canicross specific papers in this episode which make for fascinating reading:

Internet-based survey evaluating the impact of ground substrate on injury and performance in canine agility athletes. 2022. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.1025331/full

PERFORMANCE CHANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF ADULT ONE DOG TEAM CANICROSS RUNNERS. Ashlyn Jendro 2018. https://commons.nmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1575&context=theses

The Jena study (2011) analysed locomotion of 32 different dog breeds.

Jena study

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAvOPCp6Itk

Book - Dogs in Motion Fischer and Lilje (2016)

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat about their goals for the coming year, and launch the exciting news about their upcoming course - Get Stronger for a Faster 5k.

Here is the link to register your interest in the course:

https://mailchi.mp/e806ed7536de/run-a-faster-5k

In this episode, our canicross stories feature returns, as Louise and Michelle chat to Susan Fraser, who has recently returned from the 2022 European Championships in Germany, representing team GB. A great insight into how canicross as a hobby can take you into international competition.

What trail shoes should I buy? It's a common question, and the answer is ... a very individual one. In this episode, Georgie Lambert, owner of Alton Sports, talks us through what we should be looking for in a trail shoe depending on the terrain we're running on, and whether we're racing or running for fun. She also explains about different lacing options, and what to look for in a good sock! Don't miss this one.

www.altonsports.co.uk

Continuing the theme this season of healthier humans (because we are, after all, often the weakest link in the human/dog team) Louise and Michelle chat to former GP, keen runner and author, Dr Juliet McGrattan about how the menopause can affect our running, and how we can experience symptoms of perimenopause as early as ten years before we reach menopause itself.

Juliet gives some really practical advice in this podcast - ask the men in your lives to listen too!! 

You can access Juliet's course, read her informative blogs about all things running health, and find out about her books on her website here: drjulietmcgrattan.com

In this episode, Michelle and Louise chat to Protein Rebel founder Tim Boote all about why our bodies need protein, particularly when we exercise. 

Protein Rebel have offered Canicross Conversations a special discount to followers. Use canicross15 at the checkout to save 15% off all their products at www.proteinrebel.com

This episode is another one all about human recovery, as Louise and Michelle chat to Carole Armitage, founder of hot chocolate company 80 Noir Ultra. Find out about the mental and physical benefits of dark chocolate in a fascinating chat with Carole.

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to The Six Pack Revolution Founder Scott Harrison about the importance of strength training and nutrition as we age, and he gives us some tips about how to get started, and getting into a routine. 

Louise and Michelle chat to James Lewington, a self-confessed "dog collector", and current British Bikejor Champion, who is just about to head out to Europe to represent Great Britain in international competition.

James talks us through how he got started in Bikejor, the technical aspects of it compared to canicross, plus how he manages to fit in training his 5 competing dogs.