FTBT Lesson 3: What Stage is Your Dog In?

Your first step in safely and effectively conditioning your breeding dog is determining what stage he or she is in. In this lesson, we’ll get you to the right program.

In this lesson

• Fitness and the Stages of the Breeding Cycle
• Identify Your Dog’s Stage to Get Started

Fitness and the Stages of the Breeding Cycle

• Pre-breeding – For stud dogs and bitches that are not currently breeding.
• Breeding – While your dog is actually breeding, you should adapt your dog’s fitness program to your travel schedule, vet visits and time available, as well as your dog’s ability to handle exercise. Some dogs can breed and exercise, while others are so distracted that they cannot. It’s okay to take this time off unless you have a stud dog that is used on a monthly basis. For these last dogs, you must find a way to continue to exercise him.
• First Trimester (from Ovulation to Day 21) – Assume your bitch is pregnant, whether or not you have confirmation.
• Second Trimester (from Day 22 post-ovulation to Day 42) – Assume your bitch is pregnant until you have confirmed her pregnancy.
• Third Trimester (from Day 43 to whelping) – Exercise changes dramatically during the 3rd trimester.
• Early Lactation (from whelping to Day 21) – Exercise and nutrition change again during the first three weeks of the pups’ lives.
• Late Lactation (from Day 22 to Day Day 49) – This is peak lactation so although your bitch may be getting bored, you must tailor her exercise and nutrition programs to optimize milk production and reduce the risk of mastitis.
• Weaning (from 7 – 10 weeks) – During this stage, your bitch becomes less critical to the pups and can begin to transition back to normal activity.
• Recovery (after the pups go home) – Now it’s time to get your bitch back into good condition to help her recover from the litter.

Identify Your Dog’s Stage to Get Started

Fill out the brief form below and we’ll email you the link to your dog’s nutrition and fitness program. It only takes a minute or two.

Fit To Be Tied Lessons

• Lesson 1: Why Fitness Matters to You, Your Dogs and Bitches, and Your Puppies
• Lesson 2: Exercise Changes Throughout the Breeding Process
• Lesson 3: What Stage is Your Dog In?
• Lesson 4: Before & While Breeding Your Dog (3 months prior through breeding)
• Lesson 5: First Trimester (Ovulation - Day 21)
• Lesson 6: Second Trimester (Day 22 - Day 42)
• Lesson 7: Third Trimester (Day 43 - Birth)
• Lesson 8: Early Lactation (Birth to 21 Days)
• Lesson 9: Late Lactation (Days 22 - 49)
• Lesson 10: Weaning (Days 49 - Pups Are Fully Weaned)
• Lesson 11: Recovery (After Pups Are Fully Weaned)
• FTBT Resources