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THE COOL DOWN
RECOVERY
Most handlers end a session when the work is done. But the session isn't over — not physiologically. The cool-down is where recovery begins.
Why Cool Down?
At the end of a training session or competition, your dog's cardiovascular system is still running hot — heart rate elevated, blood pooled in working muscles, body temperature raised, lactic acid accumulated in tissue. Stopping abruptly doesn't undo any of that. The cool-down is the structured process of bringing all of those systems back to baseline safely and efficiently.It's also the best window you have to stretch warm tissue, address flexibility, and do a hands-on health check.
Post-exercise, metabolic waste products — including lactate — accumulate in muscle tissue. Continued low-intensity movement actively clears these byproducts by maintaining blood flow and lymphatic return. Abrupt rest does not. Beyond lactate clearance, the cool-down period is when muscle fibers begin the initial repair process — and the state of the tissue during that window (warm, pliable, well-perfused) directly affects how well that repair proceeds. This is also why the cool-down is the right time for passive stretching — not the warm-up.
WARM UP VS. COOL DOWN STRETCHING
Both sessions include flexibility work — but the type of stretching appropriate for each is completely different. Using the wrong kind at the wrong time is one of the most common mistakes in canine conditioning.
Warm-Up — Now
DYNAMIC STRETCHING
Moving through range of motion continuously, without holding positions. Spins, figure-8s, dynamic bows. The goal is to prepare tissue for load, not elongate it. Cold or cool muscle does not respond well to being held under tension — it's less extensible and more vulnerable to strain. Keep moving.
Cool-Down — After
SUSTAINED STRETCHING
Holding positions for 15–30+ seconds. Warm, post-exercise muscle tissue is at peak extensibility — this is when flexibility gains are actually made. Sustained stretching after activity reduces stiffness and takes full advantage of the physiological state the session has already created. Save it for the end.
VS.
Do Not Manually Stretch Your Dog
Passive manual stretching — physically moving your dog's limbs or body into a stretched position yourself — is not recommended for home use. You have no way to feel the tension threshold from the dog's perspective, no way to detect discomfort before you've overshot it, and no way to ensure the joint is positioned safely throughout the movement. The good news: you don't need to. There are plenty of exercises that ask your dog to move into a stretched position themselves, under their own muscular control — which is safer, more effective, and far more comfortable for the dog.
THE 3 STEP COOL DOWN
The cool-down mirrors the warm-up in structure but runs in reverse order of intensity — you're bringing the body down, not building it up.
STEP 1
DYNAMIC MOVEMENT
Duration: 5-10 min Intensity: Low- Gradually decreasing
Start here, immediately after activity ends. Don't let your dog lie down or crate — keep them moving at a gentle, controlled pace. The goal is to bring heart rate, respiration, and body temperature back toward baseline gradually, while maintaining blood flow to help clear metabolic waste from working muscles.
This is also your first opportunity to observe gait. Watch for asymmetry, shortened stride, head bobbing, or any change from how they moved during warm-up. A dog that is moving differently post-session than they were pre-session warrants closer attention.
Loose leash walk
Easy trotting
STEP 2
MOBILITY
Duration: 15-30s per position Intensity: Low- Moderate
Warm tissue is pliable tissue. This is the window to work on flexibility — and it's the only time we recommend sustained holds. Choose 2–4 stretches that target the muscle groups most used during today's session, and cue your dog into each position using known behaviors. Let them control the depth and duration.
Watch for signs your dog is at their comfortable end range: a natural pause in the movement, relaxed breathing, soft expression. If they're resistant, fidgeting, or trying to back out of the position, ease off — they're telling you something.
Paws up
Bow
Nose Touches
STEP 3
PHYSICAL CHECK IN
Duration: 1–2 minutes
End every cool-down with your hands on your dog. This is a brief, systematic palpation and observation check. You're looking for anything that differs from your established normal: heat, swelling, sensitivity to touch, asymmetry, changes in posture or weight distribution. None of these findings diagnose anything, but all of them are a reason to watch more closely and possibly contact your vet.
Prioritize stretches based on what the session demanded. A dog coming off an agility run needs different emphasis than one finishing a SAR deployment or a strength conditioning session. Think about which muscle groups drove the work — and target those. Over time, you'll also start to notice patterns: if your dog is consistently tighter on one side in a particular stretch, or consistently reluctant to go into a specific position after a certain type of work, that's information worth paying attention to and discussing with your vet or rehab provider.
THE POST SESSION CHECK IN
Every cool-down ends with your hands on your dog. This is not optional, and it doesn't have to be complicated. The goal is consistency — the same brief assessment, every session, so you have a reliable baseline to measure against.
BODY TEMPERATURE
Dog's temperature will continue to rise for up to 15 minutes after exercise. Keep this in mind before putting them up in their crate. Ensure they are no longer heavily panting and are cooling.
HEART RATE AND BREATHING
Should return toward normal within 5–10 minutes of gentle cool-down movement. Persistent elevation after rest is a red flag.
JOINTS & LIMBS
Run hands along each limb. Note any swelling, heat, or sensitivity to touch that wasn't there pre-session.
PAW PADS
Check for cuts, abrasions, cracking of nails, or foreign material — especially after trail work, competition surfaces, or rough terrain.
WEIGHT BEARING & GAIT
Watch your dog stand and walk after the session. Any shift in weight distribution, reluctance to load a limb, or change in posture from their pre-session normal is worth noting.
OVERALL DEMEANOR
A tired dog is normal. A dog who seems dull, disengaged, or reluctant to interact when they're usually enthusiastic post-session may be telling you the session was too much.