About FitPAWS®

FitPAWS® Canine Conditioning Equipment can be used by our four-legged friends for core strengthening, increased range of motion and flexibility, neuromuscular facilitation, sensory and perceptual stimulation, joint alignment, and balance control. Whether your dog is involved in agility, conformation, flyball, disc dog sports, dock jumping, other dog sports, or is a working dog or a couch potato with healthier aspirations, core strength is a fundamental element used by your dog to control its body when jumping, turning, running and to help prevent injuries.

Get the edge over the competition with NEW FitPAWS® Canine Conditioning Equipment! Core conditioning is an essential part of any athletes training program, including the performance dog. If your dog participates in agility competitions, you'll want to make sure your dog is in prime physical condition. Once on top of the FitPAWS® conditioning equipment, your dog's body will automatically react to the shifting movement, causing your dog to use different muscle groups simultaneously in order to remain upright. Adding this strengthening activity to your dog's cross-training activities 3-4 times a week, has many benefits, including:

The FitPAWS® Peanut is a peanut-shaped stability ball designed for canine core conditioning. The professional-grade heavy-duty PVC material is formulated for use with dogs, provides superior gripping and resists damage caused by dog nails.

It is used for core conditioning of sporting and working dogs as well as for animal rehabilitation and therapy. The unique shape of the peanut limits its movement to front/back or side/side, important for dogs new to this type of training. You can also adjust the balance challenge by under-inflating so the ball is not as firm.

Helpful inflation hint: The Peanut is inflated by measuring to a desired height, not by air pressure (psi.) The size printed on each FitPAWS® Peanut is the maximum inflation height the ball is designed to inflate up to, but you can always use the ball less inflated, if you wish, so that it is easier for your dog to balance on.

The FitPAWS® Peanuts can be inflated with an air pump or compressor that has a cone-shaped attachment. If you want to reach the maximum height but feel like the ball cannot take more air, let it sit overnight partially inflated with the plug in the ball. The material will soften and expand a little and be easier to fill. The next day continue to inflate to desired size. When you have reached the desired height, make sure you press the plug all of the way in, until the head of the plug is flush with the ball’s surface. This will ensure a good seal.

At maximum height, the FitPAWS® Peanut will feel tight and be the most challenging for your dog.

• Recommended education for use with the Peanut: Get On the Ball Two DVD, Osteoarthritis and Your Dog DVD
• Easily inflates with hand-held air pump, now included!
• We recommend your dog wear a safety harness you can hold onto, while your dog is exercising on the ball. Read all safety, care and use instructions before using your FitPAWS Canine Conditioning Equipment.

The FitPAWS® Peanut is a good choice for beginners and for weight-bearing exercises as the unique shape of the peanut provides an easier balance challenge and rolls in one direction or plane at a time. The FitPAWS Egg is a better choice for advanced core strengthening exercises as it more unstable than the peanut and rolls in multiple directions or planes.

Fitpaws® Sizing and Use Recommendations

Choosing the correct size and shape of ball for your dog depends on what type of exercises your dog will be doing on the ball. The size printed on the ball is the maximum inflation height. You can decide whether or not you want to inflate the ball to its maximum height or inflate to a lesser height. Never go over the maximum height printed on the ball.

If you plan to use your ball mainly for core conditioning, measure the length of your dog when it is standing from the front legs to the back legs. Your dog should be able to stand in a natural stance on the top of the ball without being hunched over.

You can always use a large ball for a small dog but not a small ball for a large dog. If you have more than one dog, choose a size that fits your largest dog. You may find it more comfortable for your own back to work with your dog on a larger/taller ball. Using a larger ball for a small dog also has the added benefit of providing more surface area to work on. The FitPAWS® Peanut is naturally longer than the FitPAWS Egg and provides more of an elongated surface training area.

For weight bearing activities (when a dog is standing partially on the ground and partially on the ball) choose a ball that is slightly under your dog's withers (or highest part of the shoulders where the neck meets the back.) If you need a ball smaller than the 40cm, consider purchasing the 40cm and decrease the amount of air you pump in so that the ball is shorter than its maximum height of 40cm.