About those sits...
First up, if your dog has a sloppy sit please make sure that you've ruled out any physical issues. This may mean seeking out help from a canine physiotherapist or other professional.
If all is as it should be, then there are things you can do to help straighten up your dog's sit. It's worth working on this, in the same way as we should be conscious of how we sit - slouching all the time is not good for our joints, and it's the same for our canine companions. Teaching good posture will help keep them stronger for longer, which is always a good thing.
In this clip you can see that I have the platform up against a wall. The platform itself is just wide enough for Ripley to sit on, and the height gives him feedback to know when his legs are in the right place. He knows that keeping everything on the platform is what pays! In fairness to him, I did this session after his weekly underwater treadmill session, so his legs were a little tired 😂 Still, I noted that he was having issues with that back right foot so will try facing him the other way next time. I also should have stopped sooner.
Peak's platform is just big enough for him to sit on. Again, he has tired legs and also is still learning the sit to stand transition (that's partly why I have two platforms there - he understands back feet targeting)
Fitness for breakfast
Just because you feed raw, doesn't mean you can't use meals for training! See also, Peak can't always be bothered with breakfast 😂
He's getting the hang of putting his back feet on the small platform. Interesting how much slower/flatter he is where the reward is his meal. It's not very high value for sure...
Tuck sit/Kick back stand
We're coming to the end of my first 15 Days of Fitness Focus - if nothing else, I've had a chance to see where Peak is at with the basics. Today we worked on a tuck sit/kick back stand. Part of training this has been working out the best platform options (as well as him getting used to where all his legs are!)
Peak had his third treadmill session today. He's getting the hang of it, so now I'm just working out the right speed and water heights. Also, his foot is getting wet 😂
Hydro puppies
On Monday, a litter of seven springer spaniel puppies came to run riot in the centre. I've just about recovered...
Inflating Herman
We've had inflatable beds and inflatable tents, now it's time for the inflatable dog...
Hydrotherapy isn't just for dogs that are old or injured. It's also a great option for keeping our canine companions fit and improving their general condition.
Bert here is eight months old. He's been having hydrotherapy in the underwater treadmill to provide some additional exercise without putting too much strain on his growing joints. This also helps him to move better, which has contributed to his recent successes in the show ring. He's had a number of wins and other high places since I took this video!
If you think your dog may benefit from hydrotherapy, or even if you just want to find out more about it, then please get in touch. I also have a large pool that can be helpful for building confidence around water (very important given where we live!)
Which treats would you like?
If you can't decide which flavour of treats to open next, just ask your dog 😂 We have a few packs of these JR Pet Products Ltd training treats left (venison out of stock 🙈). Lots of other yummy treats too - get in touch for details. Available to collect from Totnes or I can deliver within Torbay.
In July 2020, Merlin the chocolate lab was mostly carried into the hydrotherapy centre. His front legs were fine, but he had no use of his hind legs following a disc explosion. He had surgery in Jun 2020 to deal with this, and was now on the long road to recovery.
His owners have been so diligent with his rehab, carrying out physio exercises and bringing him for weekly hydrotherapy in the treadmill. This video was taken last week - I'm giving next to no support to his right leg, with just a little support on the left. You can see towards the end of the video I remove all of the support from his back legs. He still has some way to go, but sometimes we need to look back and remind ourselves just how far he has come - just the same as with many of the dogs that I see.
If you think that your dog would benefit from hydrotherapy, then please get in touch to discuss it.
Bailey came for his first session today. I'm not sure the video really conveys quite how much water he re-distributed... 😂💦💦💦
Nail grinding
Nails... It's so important to keep nails at a good length to support correct posture and movement. Whilst some dogs do naturally wear their nails down, many don't. This is especially true for dogs on restricted activity!
Ripley doesn't tolerate nail trims with clippers, and as he has thick, black nails I never liked clipping them because I can't see the quick.
So I got a grinding tool, and we agreed on a process using the Manners Minder. It's set to the 'down stay' setting, so releases treats on a random schedule. Yes, there is an element of bribery here. But there is also choice - he could walk away, and most certainly would with a lower rate of reinforcement. He does occasionally pull his foot away from the grinder, and I respect that and pause. I don't want to fight him, and don't need to - he soon consents again. He doesn't pull his foot from my hand altogether.
Not a particularly exciting video, but important. How do you deal with your dog's nails?
Every four to six weeks I take a series of photos of Ripley, to monitor his form and keep an eye out for any early indications of issues. These photos are done with him in a 'natural' stand - in other words, I'm not standing him on a platform or blocks, and I'm not placing his feet. I ask him to move into a stand and take the photos from there.
As I'm generally on my own, I've had to work out how to do this with just one pair of hands! I recently discovered that my phone will take a photo if I say 'cheese' - a very handy feature!
Here's a 'behind the scenes' video of me getting our most recent set of photos (I've included the photos at the end of the video). Getting a dog as busy as Ripley to stand still isn't always easy...
If you want to learn more about why I take these photos, what I'm looking for and exactly why stands are so important for our dogs, then you can book a fitness session for your dog using this link - https://booking.compasscanine.co.uk/Fitness+1-1
Poor Teddy was run over by a van earlier this year :( The amazing team at Fitzpatrick Referrals did an incredible job of putting him back together, and now we're working on building his strength. He's recently started enjoying some longer walks, so all is going well.
To find out more about hydrotherapy, and if it could be of benefit for your dog, visit my website at www.compasscanine.co.uk
Cavaletti
Fitness... What do people want? Workshops, 1-1s, classes? For all of these, online or in person? Let me know below.
Merlin
Who remembers Merlin? He's still making steady progress, and can often walk unaided now at home. He still needs some help in the treadmill!
Friday Extremes
Friday is a day of extremes - youngest and oldest, one of the smallest and a few of the biggest!
