WESTERN Bulldogs skipper Brad Johnson is pleased with the way his teammates have handled their off-seasons after the full group resumed training on Monday with a time trial around Princes Park.

The majority of the list took part in the run under sunny skies, with midfielder Daniel Cross taking it out in 10 minutes, 42 seconds from Matthew Boyd (11:04) and Daniel Giansiracusa (11:06).

For Johnson, 32, it was a classic case of leading from the front, with the veteran captain crossing the line fourth, just 13 seconds behind Giansiracusa.

"It is good to be back. You do a lot of training yourself over the break and although you enjoy the time with you family and that sort of stuff, it's good to get back amongst the guys," he told westernbulldogs.com.au after the run.

"Everyone looks really good and is really enthusiastic to be back.

"There's a lot of energy in the group because everyone is seeing each other for the first time in awhile.

"The guys handled themselves really well today. It's our starting point and we've just got to build on it."

Johnson said he was feeling fit and healthy following the much-needed break, after keeping some sort of focus on maintaining his shape during the eight weeks the older players had off.

"I'm not too bad. I've been doing a little bit over the break, but not too much," he laughed.

"I've got to be smart with the way I do things, but I don't mind the distance stuff. I've always liked it a little bit; you just try and hang in there as long as you can.

"All up, I'm feeling very good, very refreshed and looking forward to seeing what [head of physical fitness] Bill Davoren's got for us over the next few weeks.

Johnson is anticipating tackling the program Davoren is putting together for the Dogs, and is excited about the changes his recent appointment are set to encourage.

"There's a few new faces around and it's always good to learn new things," he said.

"Bill brings a lot of experience with him so we're certainly looking forward to tapping into that.

"Going on the back of his presentation today, it's going to be a great pre-season and one that we'll enjoy."

Johnson said he is expecting an enthusiastic attitude from his side after the Dogs made huge gains in 2008, finishing the home-and-away season third on the ladder and making it as far as the preliminary finals.

He also said the group is realistic it must work even harder this summer in order to bridge the gap between it and the top two sides.

"You've got to add it all in; you've got to have the intensity there and work as hard as you can regardless of where you finish," he said.

"Certainly we're the type of group that knows when we can enjoy ourselves and when the time is to work, and I think we've got the right mix there.

"To get to number one or two, it takes a lot of improvement and we realise that.

"The guys have certainly got the drive there to take that next step and make ourselves a dominant force in the competition.

"Like other sides, we'll be striving to be the best we can be over the pre-season, and we'll give ourselves the best chance to launch into the season."