FitPaws FitKinect Dog Fitness Equipment Review + 3 K9 Fitness Exercises
Fun fact, when I was little, I absolutely loved Legos! I mean, what kid didn’t?! I had this Lego table that was passed down to me from my cousin that I absolutely loved, and I would constantly create fun new things on it! Well, what if I told you that one of my favorite K9 fitness brands just launched their own version of Legos for dogs?
FitPaws created their FIRST, modular and stable piece of dog fitness equipment called the FitKinect and I promise you it’s worth all the hype it’s been getting! FitPaws is mostly known for their inflatable dog fitness equipment, but in the past year, they’ve really been leveling up what they’re bringing to the K9 fitness world to help make dogs happier, stronger and healthier.
With the FitKinect, your dog fitness training exercise options are truly endless! Now, I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty flippin’ exciting if you ask me, ha! In this post I’ll giving a complete walk-through of the FitPaws FitKinect and you’ll learn:
- What does the FitPaws FitKinect come with?
- What’s the traction surface like on the FitKinect?
- What K9 fitness exercises can my dog do with it? (I’m sooo glad you asked!)
- …and so much more!
P.S. Check out my K9 Fitness Blog Section and K9 Fitness YouTube Playlist to find many more dog fitness exercises featuring FitPaws fitness equipment for dogs!
What Does The FitPaws FitKinect Come With?
The FitPaws FitKinect has two different versions. The first, the FitKinect CORE, includes all of the following:
- 2 Octagon Blocks
- 4 Rectangle Blocks
- 10 Connectors
- 8 Tubes
The second version, called the FitKinect XTRA, (what I have and what is featured in this post) has a little more:
- 2 Octagon Blocks
- 8 Rectangle Blocks
- 16 Connectors
- 12 Tubes
Which Fitkinect should i get? Core or xtra?
For me, choosing which option works best for you and your dog comes down to a few things:
- What do you want to do with your dog?
- Do you want more options for dog fitness exercises? Do you need more blocks for your dog to fit/have enough room to do exercises?
- If you said yes, I would get the FitKinect XTRA.
- If you said no because you don’t need more options or more room to do do your K9 fitness exercises, then consider the FitKinect CORE!
- Do you want more options for dog fitness exercises? Do you need more blocks for your dog to fit/have enough room to do exercises?
I would say size can play a factor as well, but that really is dependent on again, what you want to do with your dog. You may not need the FitKinect XTRA for a larger breed if you’re not planning on doing anything that requires extra connectors, blocks or tubes! If you’re unsure of what you want to get, leave a comment below sharing your dog’s size and how you’d like to use it so I can help you decide!
Can I use The FitPaws Cavaletti Set With The FitKinect?
Yes! If you have the FitPaws Dog Cavaletti Set, those poles and connectors also fit the FitKinect which automatically gives you more options. FitPaws also sells two FitKinect Upgrade Kits. One is an Octagon block upgrade and the other is a Rectangle block upgrade. If you just want some extra tubes and connectors, FitPaws sells a Tube and Connector Add-On that includes 6 connectors and 4 tubes! So, you have a ton of options for what you can get if you decide you need more later!
What’s The Traction Surface Like On The FitPaws FitKinect?
This is a question I actually just got asked recently and am really excited to share more about it! Someone asked:
“I see it’s textured, not slip but is it just a hard plastic? Is there some type of coating on it?”
The actual surface is a great rubber non-slip material. The surface pattern is identical to the surface pattern on the redesigned FitPaws Balance Ramp (which is phenomenal by the way!). It provides plenty of grip and provides clear communication from your dog’s feet to their brain to teach them where their feet are!
P.S. I featured the redesigned FitPaws Balance Ramp in my post: Proprioception In Dogs + What Is Dog Fitness Equipment. Check it out!
What K9 Fitness Exercises Can I Do With The FitPaws FitKinect?
I am so glad you asked! This is obviously the coolest part about this dog fitness equipment. In this post, I wanted to show you three different configurations (with a few options to fit your dog!) focusing on foundational exercises.
If you want to learn even more configurations of K9 fitness exercises you can do with the FitPaws FitKinect, check out my videos on Instagram/YouTube/TikTok! I have beginner, intermediate and advanced dog fitness exercises there to really give you some pawesome ideas!
WILL PUT YOUTUBE VIDEO AND CALLOUT HERE TOO
Important Note:
Before you begin any dog fitness exercises, it is important to note that canine fitness is intended for healthy dogs to prevent injury. It is not a replacement for surgery. If your dog has any underlying conditions or is currently in rehab for an injury, please speak with your veterinarian, orthopedic specialist or any other specialist before beginning the exercises with your dog to keep them safe.
Dog Fitness Exercise & FitKinect Configuration 1: Stand To Tuck Sit
The first configuration of the FitPaws FitKinect that I wanted to show you is how to create a platform for your tuck sit. This can of course be altered to your dog based on their size, but for this example I’m using the following:
- 6 Rectangle Blocks
- 7 Connectors
If you’d like configuration options for a different size dog please leave a comment below and I’ll help! I don’t want my small dog breed owners (or dogs of any size!) to feel unsure of how to configure just because I only have my large dogs!
Note: This exercise needs the FitKinect XTRA.
Follow the steps and photos below to configure:
Step 1: Grab your six blocks and create two rows of three.
Step 2: In the middle hole of your blocks, connect each row of three together.
Step 3: On the top of the rectangle block, connect both rows of three together to form a platform with all six rectangles.
Step 4: Grab two connectors and add them to each end of a single pole.
Step 5: Grab two more rectangle blocks and connect them together horizontally.
Step 6: Connect the two blocks to the pole and then to the platform of six you just created. (easily seen in the exercise photos below the photos below)
Now let’s dive into the tuck sit K9 fitness exercise!
Dog Fitness Exercise Goal: Your dog’s front feet will remain stationary while the back feet and rear come to meet them in a sit position,
Dog Fitness Exercise Benefits: This exercise strengthens your dog’s shoulders and spinal flexors.
Step 1: Have your dog begin in a standing position.
Step 2: Ask your dog to walk into the FitPaws FitKinect (front feet on six block platform, back feet on two block). Mark and reward.
Step 3: Ask your dog to sit. As you do this, pull your hands towards you to pull your dog towards you.
Proper Form: You’re looking for knees and feet tracking forward, a flat back and head in a natural position.
Dog Fitness Exercise & FitKinect Configuration 2: SideStepping
The next configuration that you can create with the FitPaws FitKinect is an awesome sidestepping platform! Like the previous exercise, this can of course be altered to your dog based on their size, but for this example I’m using the following:
- 8 Rectangle Blocks
- 10 Connectors
Note: This exercise can use the the FitKinect CORE or XTRA. Featured here is the XTRA because of the amount of rectangle blocks shown, but depending on your dog’s fitness level and size, you might not use/need as many!
Follow the steps and photos below to configure:
Step 1: Connect two rows of four rectangle blocks (two straight lines).
Step 2: Connect your two rows together creating a long platform, complete with eight rectangle blocks.
Before beginning this exercise, I recommend your dog know the following:
- Front Paw Targeting
- Sidestepping on the flat
Dog Fitness Exercise Goal: Your dog’s back should remain flat, front and rear feet keep a natural distance part and the legs can spread and touch or cross.
What You Could See: Many dogs will step with the front and then the back foot on the same side of the body and is ok! Crossing also comes with repetition so don’t be discouraged if your do isn’t crossing both front and back feet.
Dog Fitness Exercise Benefits: Activates the hip and shoulder abductors/adductors and the muscles that support shoulder and hip stability.
Step 1: Ask your dog to go into front paw targeting position on the FitKinect Rectangle Blocks.
Step 2: Keeping your dog in front paw targeting position, slowly walk into your dog (not pushing, but slight body pressure) or give them their cue for sidestepping to encourage your dog to walk to the side. Mark and reward. Complete one long side before switching directions.
Dog Fitness Exercise & FitKinect Configuration 3: Pivoting
For this third and final k9 fitness exercise, I wanted to show you multiple configurations you can create using either the FitKinect CORE or FitKinect XTRA! We’ll be starting simple and then adding more as we go on. Because of this, I’m going to share all about the exercise benefits and proper form first and then show you the multiple configurations. These can definitely be configured based on your dog’s size/fitness level/etc.!
Before beginning this exercise, your dog needs to be able to do the following:
- Front paw targeting
Dog Fitness Exercise Goal: Front feet will stay on the FitPaws FitKinect Octagon Block while rear feet laterally move around them. Your want your dog to maintain a flat back and neutral head position.
Dog Fitness Exercise Benefits: Helps strengthen the shoulders, teaches your dog to move their back feet independently and laterally and strengthens the abductors and adductors in your dog’s rear assembly if your dog’s weight is shifted to the rear.
Step 1: Ask your dog to go into front paw targeting position on the FitPaws FitKinect Octagon Block.
Step 2: Slowly walk towards your dog, asking them to pivot (you can use a verbal cue if you have one here). As soon as they take one step, mark and reward. Repeat a few more steps and then change directions and repeat.
The goal is to eventually get all the way around, however, if this is the first time your dog is pivoting on dog fitness equipment, building their confidence and rewarding along the way is key. If you do too many steps without rewarding your dog, they will eventually get bored and leave work.
Configuration 1: One Octagon Block
Configuration 2: Stacked Octagon Blocks
Configuration 3: Octagon Blocks With Rectangle Blocks Each Side
Configuration 3: Previous With Additional Pole Hind End Awareness
Isn’t the FitPaws FitKinect is absolutely incredible? In addition to the K9 fitness exercises and configurations I’ve shared here and on my social channels, FitPaws also has even more ideas on their Instagram and FitKinect product page that are worth checking out!
If you found this helpful, definitely join my K9 Fitness with Caitlin Facebook group, check out my YouTube channel for tons of K9 Fitness videos, and of course visit some of my other posts below for even more canine fitness exercises & tips so you can learn all about dog fitness!
- Blue-9 KLIMB Jr. Review + 3 K9 Fitness Exercises (20% discount inside!)
- K9 Fitness For Senior Dogs: Improving Your Dog’s Balance and Stability
- 4 K9 Fitness Exercises Using An Aerobic Bench Step Platform
- 3 K9 Fitness Exercises Using FitPaws TRAX Targets
- 5 Blue-9 KLIMB K9 Fitness Exercises (20% off discount code inside!)
- 3 FitPaws Balance Disc K9 Fitness Exercises
- 3 Beginner FitPaws K9 Fitness Exercises
- 3 Easy Stretches For Dogs
- 5+ K9 Fitness Exercises with FitPaws Balance Pad
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