Meet Your CCAS:
Michelle Shadwick, CCAS
(Certified Canine Athlete Specialist)
Glorified Pez dispenser, Chauffer, Ribbon Collector
BS RT(R), CCAS, AKC Fit Dog Instructor, CGC Evaluator
What happens when a scentwork dog gets a fitness program?
Like most things, I blame my scentwork dog. He's my heart dog and the reason I got into dog sports.
In 2020 we started taking online classes. One of them was fitness and conditioning.
I saw some odd things with his gait and topline, so we saw our rehab vet for a check up.
We left with a diagnosis of hip dysplasia and arthritis.
They gave us a customized conditioning plan and supplements
to manage his chronic conditions.
I experienced firsthand how much a fitness program helped him.
His search times were cut in half and his qualifying rate improved on trial weekends.
I asked myself ... what happens if a healthy dog has a fitness program?
While researching that question, I found the Elite K9 Athlete program.
There is no reason why I should hide the benefits of canine fitness from the sport dog community.
I chose a certificate program with a focus on sport dogs and training the human how to exercise their dogs with proper form.
Dagon showing a cookie stretch
Dagon sourcing a hide
Dagon's UKC Elite Nosework title
Certified Canine Athlete Specialists (CCAS)
Think of us as personal trainers - for your dog!!
CCAS's go through an online training program and we learn about:
Canine anatomy
Exercise physiology
How to evaluate a dog for correct posture and gait analysis
Red flags to refer to a vet
Proper form for each exercise
How to design a balanced fitness program
How to train YOU - the human - to implement the program
And a lot more
What sets us apart from other canine fitness training programs is we focus on active pet and sport dogs!
We learn to think about how your dog moves when they go through the weave poles, heel, jump, catch a frisbee and the impact on their shoulders when they hit that flyball box.
What type of injuries is your dog likely to have from that sport?
What can we do to reduce the risk of those injuries?
We also focus a lot on the human at the end of the leash. (That's you)
What are your goals for your dog? What sports/activities do they do?
Are you on a timeframe? Do you have a big national competition coming soon?
What are YOUR limitations? Do you have a bad back or knees and can't sit on the floor with your dog? I can modify your prop set up to help you.
How much time during the week do you have to condition your dog?
I take all that info, and a lot more, into account when I design a program.
I designed all programs on this site (except the AKC Fit Dog classes) to meet the general fitness needs of each sport, puppy or senior dog. All programs are based on how your dog moves when they play that sport and how we strengthen those muscle groups to improve sport performance and reduce the risk of injury.
Manners & AKC CGC Training
Paragon Pups is also an AKC CGC and Fit Dog approved instructor and evaluator.
There's more to dogs than just canine fitness, and we understand that. We look at the dog as a whole. We frequently hold STAR Puppy, Canine Good Citizen prep and trick dog training and evaluations. We want to thank Jane at Springfield Family Dog Training for collaborating with us and inviting us to use her space.
Why "Paragon Pups?"
According to the Oxford dictionary, a Paragon is
a person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality
My goal is to help you transform your canine into a Paragon Agility Dog, or a
Paragon Conformation dog, or a Paragon (insert your sport here) dog
by adding sport specific or custom conditioning exercises to your pup's weekly skill training routines.
A football player doesn't just practice on the field, they have a dedicated team of coaches,
personal trainers and physicians to help them be their best.
Your canine athlete deserves the same.
I collaborate with you and your dog (the athlete), your trainers (coaches), and your veterinarians (physicians) to help your dog succeed in their sport and reduce your dog's risk of injury.
I'm educating about canine conditioning and motivating others to work out with their dogs.
We use positive reinforcement, clean training loops, shaping, luring and molding in all our training.
Mission • Vision • Values
Yes, I know. It's silly. But it's important for you to know what our goals are at Paragon Pups and how we achieve them.
Mission: Provide specialized training programs that empower pet owners and sport dog handlers to foster healthy, well-behaved, and high-performing dogs.
The main benefits of canine fitness are to reduce the risk of injury and improve sport performance. As my scentwork dog's muzzle starts turning white, I'm seeing his quality and quantity of life improve because of his fitness program. You can read more about the Benefits of Canine Conditioning.
Vision: Become a collaborative leader in canine fitness and manners training, promoting strong dog-owner relationships and healthy lifestyles for dogs.
Values: I do a lot of shaping and luring. The dog learns where their paws are supposed to be, how to get into position, and what muscles to engage when we set up the environment so they can be successful.
I also value using the method that works best for you and your dog. There's usually more than one way to train behaviors.
I also value you as the handler. What are your goals as the human for your dog?
Do you have any physical or emotional limitations?
How can we work together to modify your exercises and training schedules so you can meet your goals? These are all things I consider when designing a custom fitness plan.
*Conditioning is NOT a substitute for vet or rehab care. I know your border collie or Malinois thinks they can "walk it off". They can't.
*I can NOT diagnose or treat your pup for an injury, illness or chronic condition. I am not a vet.
*I cannot recommend supplements or medications. Please see your vet for these concerns.
Positive Reinforcement Training Methods
Shaping: This is the BEST way to train a dog.
We set up the environment so your dog chooses the behavior you want. You want them to put their paws on a platform, Shape it! You want a formal competition heel? Shape it! When our dogs decide to do something, then get rewarded for making good choices, they keep making good choices on their own!
Luring: We can't shape everything.
Your dog's body will follow their nose. We take a treat to the dog's nose and let them follow the treat. Their bodies move into position. We stretch our dogs with a lure. We lure sits, stands and downs.
Molding: What if you can't lure or shape a behavior?
Sometimes we need to pick up a paw and move the dog into position. We have to physically place the dog where we want them. If I'm using paw pods, I usually need to fine tune adjust their feet to the pod.
