How can heart rate monitoring be used to dose training in MWDs?

• A. Not measuring HR.
• B. HR monitoring should be ignored.
• C. Use age as sole metric for dosing.
• D. Target zones based on HR max/reserve to control intensity; track HR responses during workouts to ensure desired stimulus.

Answer: (D)

Dosing training around heart rate uses objective targets to control how hard the dog works. By estimating the dog’s maximum heart rate and resting heart rate, you can set training zones based on heart rate max or heart rate reserve and keep the workout within the intended intensity. Track HR responses during the session so you know the stimulus being delivered: if the heart rate stays in the target zone, the load is appropriate; if it spikes too high, you back off, and if it stays too low, you can increase duration or difficulty. This approach provides precise, safe progression and recovery management, unlike not measuring HR, ignoring HR, or using age as the sole metric, which don’t reflect current conditioning or how the dog is responding to training.