Energy Edge: How to Keep Your Working and Sporting Dog Energized, Focused, and Ready for More

by Alpine Outfitters


Lead Dog Etta and Managing Director Eric starting their first bikejor sprint race, Mush Without Sluch, in Sisters, Oregon. The race was held on a Saturday and Sunday with the course being 1.8 miles. 

As a dog owner who wants the absolute best from their canine athlete, you know that keeping a high-performance dog at the top of their game takes more than just basic kibble. Whether they are tearing up the agility course, herding livestock under the summer sun, or pulling a sled through miles of fresh powder, these dogs aren't just pets—they are elite athletes.

At Alpine Outfitters, we understand the grit, determination, and passion it takes to support working and active dogs. That’s why we are incredibly excited to introduce our newest offering: Energy Edge (powered by Glyco-Gen Targeted Nutrition), founded by Dr. Angie Untiz DVM in Terrebonne, Oregon. Besides being a veterinarian, she competes in sheep and cattle trials with her Border Collies and knows first-hand the energy demand of active, working dogs (There is more to her story and why she developed Energy Edge below). 

Don't just take our word for it, let’s dive into the science of canine performance nutrition and explore why Energy Edge is the ultimate game-changer for your active companion.

What is the Science Behind Energy Edge? Why Regular Kibble Isn't Enough for Performance Dogs

When humans sprint or engage in endurance sports, our bodies rely heavily on carbohydrates stored as glycogen in our muscles. For a long time, the prevailing wisdom was that dogs only need fats and proteins. While it’s true that dogs are incredibly efficient at burning fat for long-term endurance, modern veterinary science reveals a more complete picture for high-intensity, multi-day activities:

  1. Carbohydrates Fuel the Brain (Focus): Research from institutes like the Cornell Riney Canine Health Center (2) highlights that a dog's mental focus is directly tied to blood glucose levels. When a dog runs low on glucose, cognitive fatigue sets in. They miss commands, lose focus, and make mistakes. Carbohydrates keep the brain sharp.
  2. Fast-Twitch Muscle Performance (Power): According to sporting dog nutrition expert Dr. Conor Brady (3), while fats sustain lower-intensity endurance, carbohydrates are the vital fuel needed for fast-twitch muscle fibers. If your dog needs to sprint, climb, jump, or exert sudden bursts of explosive energy, they require readily accessible glycogen.
  3. The Multi-Day Depletion Trap: Studies published in PubMed and the National Institutes of Health (PMC) show that high-intensity exercise rapidly depletes muscle glycogen stores. Without targeted nutritional intervention, a working dog's muscle glycogen can be completely drained within 1 to 2 days of consecutive work. This leads to profound fatigue, lagging times, and a higher risk of injury. (1)

How Energy Edge Glyco-Gen Optimizes Your Dog's Performance?

You wouldn't expect a human marathon runner or sprinter to perform on a keto diet alone without proper carbohydrate replenishment—so why expect it from your dog?

Energy Edge is specifically formulated as a Glyco-Gen Energy Shake to bridge this critical nutritional gap. It provides immediate, highly digestible energy right when and where your dog needs it most.

A 5 pound bag of Energy Edge Glyco-Gen Energy Drink for active, sport, and working dogs with Crooked River in Background image.
A 5 pound bag of Energy Edge Glyco-Gen Energy Drink for active, sport, and working dogs. Energy Edge is a neighbor of ours in Central Oregon and the Crooked River is in the background.

Here is exactly how Energy Edge optimizes your dog’s performance:

  • Unmatched Stamina: By delivering targeted glycogen replenishment, Energy Edge prevents the "bonk" or sudden crash that happens 1–2 days into heavy training, keeping your dog's endurance sustained day after day.
  • Laser Focus: Because carbohydrates power the brain, supplementing with Energy Edge prevents cognitive burnout, ensuring your dog stays locked into your commands even during the most demanding tasks.
  • Explosive Energy: Boost your dog’s ability to sprint, climb, and leap by topping off the exact fuel source their fast-twitch muscle fibers crave.
  • Accelerated Recovery: The secret to greatness is in the recovery. Energy Edge allows you to replace up to 80% of the carbohydrates used during intense exercise, significantly reducing post-workout soreness and downtime so they are ready to go again tomorrow.

Sprints vs. Marathons: How Distance Changes Your Dog’s Fuel Tank

When tailoring your dog's nutrition with Energy Edge, it is crucial to understand that not all canine athletes burn energy the same way. A hound bursting out of the starting gate for a short-distance sprint has vastly different metabolic needs than a sled dog hauling gear over miles of snow.

To maximize their performance, we have to look at how their muscles utilize fuel based on distance and speed.

1. Sprint Dogs: The Explosive Anaerobic Competitor

  • The Disciplines: Agility, barn hunting, flyball, dock diving, and short-distance dryland sprint racing.
  • The Energy System: Anaerobic (Without Oxygen)

Sprint dogs require immediate, explosive bursts of power. Because their events are decided in seconds or minutes, their bodies don't have the time to break down dietary fats into usable energy. Instead, their muscles rely heavily on fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are fueled almost exclusively by stored muscle glycogen (carbohydrates) and phosphagen systems.

Etta's bikejor runs are anywhere from 2 to 8 miles which range from 5 to 20 minutes.  The International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS) dryland bikejor races typically range from 1.2 to 5 miles. (6) Training runs differ from racing as I do not peddle while training. During a race, it is full gas from the start with heavy pedaling. At Mush Without Slush, we averaged 22.7 miles per hour on Sunday.

The Performance Trap: Sprint dogs can deplete their high-octane glycogen stores incredibly fast. If they are competing in multiple heats or rounds over a single weekend, a lack of carbohydrate replenishment leads to rapid cognitive fatigue (missed agility cues or trail commands) and a sudden drop in top-speed acceleration.

2. Sled & Distance Dogs: The Cellular Endurance Miracle

  • The Disciplines: Distance mushing, pack hiking, search and rescue, and all-day field trials.
  • The Energy System: Aerobic (With Oxygen)

Distance dogs are marvels of metabolic efficiency. Unlike humans, who rely heavily on carbohydrates for endurance, dogs are uniquely adapted to turn fats into sustained fuel over long distances via aerobic pathways. A distance sled dog traveling at a steady, moderate pace utilizes slow-twitch muscle fibers, burning a highly caloric diet rich in fats and proteins to keep their internal engine purring for hours.

The Performance Trap: While fat is their primary fuel, distance dogs still utilize glycogen to maintain blood glucose levels and power through sudden challenges—like pulling up a steep incline or breaking through heavy powder. Over multi-day treks, this glycogen steadily drains. When a distance dog "bonks," it is usually because their glycogen stores have hit rock bottom, leaving them physically exhausted and mentally checked out.

Summary: How to Fuel Each Athlete

Feature

Sprint & Short-Distance Dogs

Sled & Long-Distance Dogs

Primary Fuel Source

Carbohydrates (Glycogen)

Fats & Fatty Acids

Muscle Fiber Type

Fast-Twitch (Explosive power)

Slow-Twitch (Endurance & stamina)

Main Performance Risk

Blown turns, missed commands, loss of top-end speed between heats.

Multi-day physical exhaustion, inability to tackle steep hills or sudden obstacles.

The Energy Edge Advantage

Pre & Between-Heat Boost: Tops off glycogen for maximum anaerobic power and sharp mental focus.

Post-Run Recovery: Replenishes up to 80% of lost glycogen reserves overnight so they can wake up and do it again tomorrow.

Fuel the Athlete Within

At Alpine Outfitters, we’ve always built gear to match the rugged spirit of your working dogs. Now, we are giving you the fuel to power that spirit. Don't let fatigue hold your partner back from their true potential. Whether your dog is a drag racer or a marathon trekker, maintaining optimal glycogen levels is the secret to unlocking their full potential.


Etta drinks her Energy Edge Glyco-Gen Energy Shake after a 6 mile bikejor run at Lava Island Falls Trail in Bend, Oregon.

How to Add Energy Edge Glycogen Shake to Your Dog's Routine?

Available in convenient 1lb, 2lb, and 5lb bags, this easy-to-mix shake is the perfect addition to your gear bag. Simply mix it with water to create a highly palatable energy shake.

Give it to your dog before a grueling workout to top off their energy tank, use it as a mid-day boost during long field trials, or serve it immediately post-exercise to kickstart the glycogen recovery window.

For Etta, I  use it as a bait for her pre-bikejor hydration. In an ideal situation, I like to give her water 1-1/2 to 2 hours before her run. I give her 2 cups of lukewarm water and like to bait it with something. Not liking Anchovies, I use kibble, food topper or Energy Edge. And we surely use it as her first drink after runs.

Energy Edge tested several flavor profiles, while formulating the mix, and found Vanilla the most popular. As you can see from the video, Etta LOVES it. If your dog is a little more finicky, Dr. Angie has some tips. 

Helpful Tips from Dr. Angie on Introducing Your Canine Athlete to Energy Edge

We all know some dogs can be finicky, especially when it comes to trying new tastes. Hence, I often get the question “What if my dog won’t drink the shake mix?” My response “Channel your inner Pavlov!” You can train even the most finicky dogs to love Energy Edge GlycoGen Shake Mix! Here’s what I mean:

1. Don’t wait until your dog is desperately fatigued to run and grab the powder. When dogs are physically stressed, the last thing they want to do is try something new. Plan ahead!

2. Introduce your dog to a small amount of GlycoGen Shake Mix in a familiar setting. Mix 1 -2 scoops with a small amount of water making a syrup-like consistency. Offer to your dog around dinner time when they are expecting food. Do not be disappointed if they do not immediately lap it up. Pour a small amount onto their food and feed as usual.

3. If your dog is not eagerly lapping up the Shake Mix, repeat step 2 daily as needed. Some dogs are more suspicious of new things than others. Don’t push them to drink it. Be consistent.

4. Now set the pattern! Start introducing it during training. For example, I often work multiple dogs when out training. When I’m done working the first dog, they are placed in a crate while I work another dog. I will place the GlycoGen Shake Mix in a small bowl in the crate and walk away. Teach your dog that after exercise, this is what you get. Energy Edge GlycoGen Shake Mix begins to work in moments while the flavor of vanilla is still in their mouth allowing the dog to associate the Shake Mix with feeling better as they recover.

5. Success! Now your dog anticipates recovery! Many dogs will drink the Shake Mix even when very fatigued. They’ve learned that the vanilla flavored liquid makes them feel better faster!

Once your dog is familiar with Energy Edge Shake Mix, you can use it only when needed. Be sure to use after strenuous exercise to refill their “energy tanks.” Any canine athlete will train and perform better when they are fully fueled!

A special note about puppies… I often take my pups with me when I’m training the older dogs. Puppies love to mimic their older packmates! When giving Shake Mix to your older dog, allow the pup to lick the bowl. Introduce them early to the flavor. Very quickly, they’ll see you mixing Energy Edge and be eagerly waiting for some. Now, when you start working them, it’ll be easy to set the pattern… Energy Edge Shake Mix after working for recovery!

Why Energy Edge Started?

Founded by Dr. Angie Untisz in 2006, Glyco-Gen Shake Mix is the result of her journey with her Kelpie, Dodge.

In 2003 Dr. Angie's 3 yr old Kelpie, Dodge, developed a potentially life threatening condition called Exertional Rhabdomyolysis., commonly called "Tying Up". Initally, Dodge showed early onset fatigue and stiff, painful muscles after working. Ultimately, he developed myoglobinuria - dark brown urine. It was then that it became evident that his body was breaking down muscle tissue to try to generate the energy source it so desperately needed. Dr. Angie knew she would have to find a solution or retire her young, talented partner.
 
Using sled dogs, hunting dogs and even greyhounds as models for her research she focused on nutrition as the key to addressing Dodge's condition, ultimately developing Glyco-Gen Shake Mix... the product that gave Dodge the energy he needed to continue his competitive career.

Buy Energy Edge

 

 

References:
1) Energy Edge

2) "Feeding Your Performance Dog." Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, 2026, www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-topics/feeding-your-performance-dog. - Link

3) Aird, Lisa Hannaby. "Sporting Dogs - Optimum Nutrition for Optimum Performance." Dr Conor Brady, 15 Jul. 2024, www.drconorbrady.com/blog/sporting-dogs-optimum-nutrition-for-optimum-performance. Link

4) Loftus JP, Yazwinski M, Milizio JG, Wakshlag JJ. Energy requirements for racing endurance sled dogs. J Nutr Sci. 2014 Sep 30;3:e34. doi: 10.1017/jns.2014.31. PMID: 26101603; PMCID: PMC4473159. -  Link

5) Hill RC, Lewis DD, Scott KC, Omori M, Jackson M, Sundstrom DA, Jones GL, Speakman JR, Doyle CA, Butterwick RF. Effect of increased dietary protein and decreased dietary carbohydrate on performance and body composition in racing Greyhounds. Am J Vet Res. 2001 Mar;62(3):440-7. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.440. PMID: 11277211. - Link

6) International Federation of Sleddog Sports. (n.d.). IFSS sports disciplines https://sleddogsport.net/eng/23 - Link

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