Why do we want to stretch?
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Stretching keeps our muscles strong and flexible. Our muscles and our dogs muscles contract and flex multiple times in a day. If we don't stretch, the continual contracting of the muscle causes it to not elongate as easily. For example, if a runner did not stretch their hamstring muscles after a run, the muscles would stop elongating and they would not be able to straighten their knees.
It is best to stretch after the muscles are warmed up. It can be done while the dog is standing or laying down, it can be passive or active. In passive stretching we, the human, are controlling the stretch. Ensure to support the full limb above and below the joint to avoid stressing it and to get the best stretch. Hold each stretch for 30 seconds and pay attention to how the dog reacts. The goal is to increase flexibility over time, not all at once.
Active stretching means that the dogs are performing the stretches. This is a great opportunity to do shaping and conditioning with your dog.
There are many good training sites and Facebook groups that can help manage your dog's physical fitness. I recommend the book, The Healthy Way to Stretch Your Dog: A Physical Therapy Approach, by Sasha Foster. She provides excellent information on the mechanics of stretching, along with helpful pictures and diagrams.
It is best to stretch after the muscles are warmed up. It can be done while the dog is standing or laying down, it can be passive or active. In passive stretching we, the human, are controlling the stretch. Ensure to support the full limb above and below the joint to avoid stressing it and to get the best stretch. Hold each stretch for 30 seconds and pay attention to how the dog reacts. The goal is to increase flexibility over time, not all at once.
Active stretching means that the dogs are performing the stretches. This is a great opportunity to do shaping and conditioning with your dog.
There are many good training sites and Facebook groups that can help manage your dog's physical fitness. I recommend the book, The Healthy Way to Stretch Your Dog: A Physical Therapy Approach, by Sasha Foster. She provides excellent information on the mechanics of stretching, along with helpful pictures and diagrams.
Gaits
Dogs have many different gaits. The standard ones are walk, trot and canter. Two other gaits that can indicate a structural or muscular problem are the pace and amble. Here is a link to a website that shows each gait, http://vanat.cvm.umn.edu/gaits/index.html. This is a great website because it shows the action at a regular stride and in slow motion to see the placement of the feet.
Gait is just one element; structure also plays a big role in how your dog moves.Structural differences between breeds will alter their stride and movement. Obviously a dachshund or basset hound moves very differently than a german shepherd or a whippet.Two books I own and refer to often are: What's your angle? by Helen Grinnell King and Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation by M. Christine Zink and Janet B. Van Dyke.
Here are 2 videos and pictures of my own dogs. Take a look and see if you can spot any abnormalities.
Gait is just one element; structure also plays a big role in how your dog moves.Structural differences between breeds will alter their stride and movement. Obviously a dachshund or basset hound moves very differently than a german shepherd or a whippet.Two books I own and refer to often are: What's your angle? by Helen Grinnell King and Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation by M. Christine Zink and Janet B. Van Dyke.
Here are 2 videos and pictures of my own dogs. Take a look and see if you can spot any abnormalities.
