After discovering Canine Resistance Training in 2018 through another trainer, I knew immediately it was something I wanted to explore with my own dogs.
At the time, they were already older (10 and 13) but the results went far beyond what I expected. Yes, they became stronger, more conditioned, and physically capable. But what stood out most was the shift in their emotional well-being. Their nervous systems became more organized, more grounded, more fulfilled.
My entire training philosophy centers around a dog’s innate desire—and often deep biological need—to do meaningful, constructive work. CRT meets that need in a way that is both structured and deeply engaging. It strikes a rare balance: true work combined with a regulated, purposeful outlet that strengthens the bond between dog and handler.
As Ashley Sculac, the founder of CRT, describes:
“The CRT program is a customized strength and conditioning program available for all dogs, regardless of sport, age, or breed. The program is multi-phased, uncomplicated, and yet comprehensive. It is broken down and simplified into a process that is easy and SAFE to integrate into any dog’s training and life routine. Whether your dog is heavily involved in sports and you are looking for a unique cross training program, or you are simply looking for a way to prevent injuries, CRT can help. If you have aspirations to compete and do it safely while maintaining your dog’s integrity and physical well-being, CRT will properly build your dog up slowly to give you longevity and a beautiful relationship in the process.”
Who Is CRT For?
In my experience, CRT is for almost every dog.
Even breeds we don’t typically think of as “working dogs” often come alive through this type of activity. Because at their core, all dogs are wired for purpose.
Of course, performance dogs benefit tremendously—building strength, stamina, and resilience while reducing the risk of injury.
But where I see the most profound transformation is in dogs needing behavioral support.
Dogs experiencing reactivity, anxiety, or aggression are often carrying unchanneled sympathetic energy, the arousal of fight or flight with no way to discharge it. CRT gives that energy a direction and a place to land.
Shy dogs begin to build confidence. Reactive dogs gain focus. Dogs prone to aggression find a structured outlet that allows them to engage their power without conflict.
This isn't suppression, it's integration.
Channeling Drive Without Escalation
CRT is especially powerful for high-drive dogs who struggle with leash reactivity or who tend to “seek conflict” in their environment.
Through drag work, the dog is invited into a different kind of engagement—one where the effort is directed into the harness, into the task, into the body itself.
The “conflict” is no longer external. It becomes internalized as effort, strain, and ultimately, completion.
This is incredibly regulating.
When a dog can fully push, pull, and finish a task, the nervous system has a chance to discharge activation and return to a more grounded state. This is the kind of work that satisfies and stimulates.
Safety and Readiness
Like any conditioning program, CRT should be approached thoughtfully.
Dogs should be structurally mature (generally around 12 months, or 18 months for large and giant breeds), and it’s always wise to get approval from a veterinarian or canine physiotherapist before beginning.
Proper equipment matters as well:
A well-fitted, custom weight-pull harness
A long line or flexi leash
A flat or martingale collar
A structured CRT program
And appropriately measured weight (such as chains)
This is not about improvisation... it’s about intentional, progressive loading that supports the dog’s body and nervous system safely over time.
Low and Slow: The Art of Regulation
I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to choose the right kind of exercise.
Many common activities push dogs further into stimulation, keeping them in a heightened, dysregulated state. What I look for instead are activities that allow the dog to stay under threshold—engaged, but not overwhelmed.
CRT does this beautifully.
It channels energy in a “low and slow” way, building strength while simultaneously supporting regulation.
A Different Kind of Joy
What surprised me most was how much my dogs loved this work.
The more weight I added (progressively and safely), the more engaged and excited they became. Not frantic, but focused. Purposeful. Alive in a grounded way.
That kind of joy is different: It’s not chaotic, it’s deeply satisfying.
I share this because I’ve seen what’s possible when we meet our dogs at this level. When we give them not just exercise, but meaningful work.
The result is not just a stronger dog, but a more connected relationship: A partnership built on trust, clarity, and shared purpose.
For more information on how to train, please see: CRT Services
If you are local to the Chattanooga or Knoxville area, check out this Weight Pull Club: Scruffy City Strong Dogs