Using the runner principle:
Monday, Wednesday and Saturday - increasing distance (now up to four miles - about 90 minutes with sniff time) in a reasonably straight line at brisk walk. He uses a harness (collars and gentle leaders give him hot-spots right now - I told you this dog has serious anxiety issues), so we move on out!
Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday - "speedwork" - took to small park with some undulations, and let him 'wander' around up and down the slopes - trotted with him, first in a straight line, and then quartering (he is from hunting stock) out in front of me. Time-wise, his speed sessions are 50% of his distance sessions. I then put him on a VERY long rope and gradually extended his range and allowed him to RUN short distances in straight lines - alternated with trotting and serious sniffing. Today (2/10/2015) is exactly THREE months from his surgery and I took a poor-quality video at the park with my phone and hopefully figured out a way to post it here. Please ignore his hip hot-spot - it's healed...oh that poor dog!
He also 'charges' short distances in the yard after birds. He swims about 100 yards at a time, three or four times a week (I taught him to swim laps led by a rope, so he swims leisurely). The first time he went in, he acted like he had forgotten how to swim!!! Thrashed around desperately upright in a panic for at least 45 seconds. Where is the video when you need it!?
Soon we will start on-leash hiking. Eventually I will hike him out for a few miles on leash, and then release him off leash for the return trip (partial fatigue is my friend!). I now allow him to play with toys (batting them with his front paws and jumping around in the house) for 2-3 minutes at a time, and will extend that gradually also.
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