Rethinking Reps and Sets in Canine Conditioning

• How many reps should I do for this exercise?

• How many sets should I complete with my dog?

During my recent Conditioning for the Canine Athlete workshop, a participant asked about reps and sets in conditioning exercises. My response at the time was fairly general, as numerous factors influence the appropriate number of reps, sets, and rest periods for each dog.

In all honesty, I view reps and sets as guidelines rather than strict measures of progression in my conditioning program. This is partly because I find counting reps and sets stressful, and I prefer to focus on quality rather than quantity when working with dogs —whether with my own or my clients'. With that in mind, here are my general thoughts on reps and sets in canine conditioning.

Defining Reps and Sets

Here are common definitions for reps and sets:

• Reps: The number of times a conditioning exercise is completed in succession

• Sets: A group of consecutive repetitions performed before a rest period

For example, if we were to complete 3 sets of 5 reps, the session might look like this:

Set 1: 5 reps
Rest
Set 2: 5 reps
Rest
Set 3: 5 reps

However, I rarely structure sessions this way. A traditional set-and-rep scheme assumes that a dog can perform every repetition with consistent form and precision — which is often not the case.

Instead, I use adaptive variations based on the dog in front of me and my specific goals for them.

Establish a Baseline

For any given exercise, I first determine the dog’s baseline. This baseline is the number of repetitions they can complete with consistent form and/or precision. For example,

Baseline for Front Feet Side-Stepping:

10 reps per set, 2 sets = 20 total reps

Note: I can define 1 rep as either one step to the side or one full cycle—one step left + one step right. Either is fine, as long as we remain consistent.

Realistic goal

If my goal is to reach 30 total reps, my progression over multiple sessions may look like this:

Session	Set 1	Set 2	Set 3	Total reps
Session 1	5	8	5	18
Session 2	5	10	5	20
Session 3	8	10	5	23
Session 4	8	12	5	25
Session 5	8	15	5	28
Session 6	10	15	5	30
Session 7	10	10	8	28
Session 8	10	10	10	30

Structuring Sets

• Set 1: Warm-up
  This serves as a reminder of the exercise, the criteria (which may vary by dog), and activates the targeted muscle groups. Because it's a warm-up, I avoid pushing the dog to fatigue, starting with a lower intensity or rep count.

• Set 2: Progression
  This is where I work toward the upper threshold without exceeding the dog’s limit. I closely monitor form, precision, and any subtle signs of fatigue. Ideally, I want to stop before the dog reaches fatigue, though recognizing fatigue can be tricky—many handlers fall into a “just one more rep” mindset. Therefore, I prefer to use the dog’s baseline as a guide helps prevent overexertion.

• Set 3: Back-off
  This set assumes the dog is approaching fatigue. While generally lower in reps or intensity, it reinforces the movement pattern and builds endurance.

Alternative Approach for Complex Exercises

For exercises with multiple movement components, I may structure sets differently. For example:

Baseline for Down -> Stand -> Down:

• Down → Stand: 10 reps on a stable platform

• Stand → Down: 7 reps on a stable platform

• Down → Stand → Down: 5 reps on a stable platform

Realistic goal

My goal is to reach 10 reps of Down → Stand → Down.
However, I notice that the Stand → Down transition is the weaker link, my session might look like this:

• Set 1: Stand → Down (5 reps)

• Set 2: Down → Stand → Down (3-5 reps)

• Set 3: Stand → Down (3 reps)

Structuring Sets

• Set 1: Warm-up with the weak portion
  Here, I am targeting the weaker transition of the full exercise. While the dog can perform 7 reps with good form, I am aiming for 5 reps to preserve his stamina.

• Set 2: Progression with the full transition chain
  This is the most difficult set of the session, and I am looking for the dog to execute this set with good form. However, as the dog has already worked on 5 reps of Stand -> Down, asking for the maximum number of Down -> Stand -> Down may not be in his best interest. Instead, I can ask for fewer reps with consistently good posture.

• Set 3: Back-off with reinforcing the weak portion
  This set of easier exercise allows me to reinforce the Stand -> Down portion. It also gives me a chance to observe whether form has deteriorated after the prior two sets. If form in set 3 has worsened substantially as compared to set 1, it suggests that I may have progressed too quickly, and/or this sets/reps combination may be too difficult for the dog at this time. If I observe clear compromise in form, I will end the session early. I will also review the training video to help plan my next session.

Final Thoughts

Each dog’s conditioning plan must be tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. Just like there is no one-size-fits-all conditioning program, there is no universal standard for the number of reps and sets. The number of reps and sets should be determined by the dog's current physical and mental condition, specific goals, and understanding of each exercise.

Progression should be based on the individual dog's capabilities rather than relying on arbitrary numbers. The recommended number of reps and sets should be considered as guidelines, whereas keen observation of the dog’s movement, form, and subtle signs of fatigue is crucial in making adaptive adjustments to each training session.

By focusing on quality over quantity, we can make adaptive and responsive modifications to each conditioning plan, leading to a more effective and safer approach to canine conditioning.