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#57 Watch a well‑trained dog do what it was born to do—and keep doing it longer. Kenneth sits down with Dr. Ruth Ann Lobos, a senior veterinarian at Purina and lifelong athlete, to break down the simple changes that protect performance: proven probiotics for gut stability, joint support that starts young, and safer handling habits that save elbows and extend careers.

We get clear on exercise‑induced colitis and why travel, training, and hard hunting can jolt a dog’s GI tract just when you need reliable fuel. Dr. Lobos explains what separates researched probiotics from grocery‑store guesses, including a canine strain with evidence for both adult dogs under stress and puppies building vaccine immunity. From there, we move into joint longevity. You’ll learn why dogs carry more weight up front, how repeated tailgate jumps lead to “jump‑down syndrome,” and the easiest fix of all: a ramp. Add in early joint supplementation and you’re playing offense against inflammation, not chasing it.

Performance is more than energy—it’s resilience. Dr. Lobos shares practical prehab routines any handler can start today: sit‑to‑stand “doggy squats,” tight figure eights, and core‑stability work that translates directly to cover, cattails, and cut corn. We also cover acupuncture and rehab as recovery tools for pain control, blood flow, and trigger‑point release. For senior dogs, the goal is purpose with smart pacing: shorten sessions, add rest windows, cross‑train with swimming or hills, and explore low‑impact outlets like nose work to keep minds sharp and hearts full.

If you care about health span as much as lifespan, this conversation delivers clear steps you can use before the next training day or road trip. Subscribe for more gun dog training, nutrition, conditioning, and field‑ready tips. Share this with a hunting buddy who still lets their dog jump off the tailgate, and leave a review to help more dog folks find the show.

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