We are told that we need to strengthen our core to help support the spine. Many people focus on their abdominals and forget about the small group of postural muscles that are KEY in supporting and stabilizing the spine. While this is important for us, it is also important for our 4-legged friends.
When an animal is injured or weak, they will often stand, sit, or lie in an abnormal position. Pet owners who are in-tune with their pet will notice this right away. In addition to chiropractic adjustments and/or massage, we need to stretch some muscles and or contract others to allow the body to return to a normal strength and posture. For the purpose of keeping this article short, we’ll focus on the exercises that strengthen the stabilizing muscles of the spine.
Spinal muscles help maintain spinal position as well as control motion. Spinal muscles are the first to fatigue during sprinting in the canine. Endurance exercises to aid strengthening the postural muscles include: uphill running/trotting, incline stair work, and swimming against resistance. Crawling, digging (in a designated sandbox), sit up and beg, and ball/peanut exercises may take some effort to teach your pup, but are worth it as they stimulate both Type I (function for endurance) and Type II (function for speed and power) fibers. These exercises are typically best for the canine athlete or younger dog. Older or weaker dogs may do better with other exercises, such as Bird-dog, Hemi-stands, dance or sit to stand on a hill. I will highlight a few of these below.
Sit Up and Beg:
Taz turns into a wet noodle when we try this exercise, so he is supported throughout the Sit Up and Beg.
Start by having your dog sit squarely on a non-slip surface. Encourage your dog up to beg position with a treat or toy. If your dog is unable to do this, support one or both limbs. Start by balancing for 5 seconds at a time for 3-5 reps, and slowly increase to 10 seconds for 5 reps. If your dog is able to perform this without breaking proper form, you can advance to the next step. If you were holding 2 front limbs, try holding just one for the full 5 seconds. The goal is to work up to 10 reps, for a 10 second hold without any help from you.
Crawling:
Crawling exercises can be set up by placing chairs side by side. Your dog starts in the lying position on a non-slippery surface, facing the chairs. Holding a treat at the other end, encourage your dog to crawl through. You may need to place your hand on your dog’s rump to keep his/her hind end down. Start with 5 passes with correct form, then progress to 10.
Reward after completion of one pass, in correct form.
Table or chair should be low enough so that your dog cannot stand up.
Movement is a slow, controlled crawl forward.
Ball work (peanut):
There is so much variety that can be added to this. Start with the front limbs on a ball or peanut, and control it by walking forward, or
backwards (with assistance). If you are controlling the peanut with your legs, smoothly roll the peanut forward.
Front paws should be in contact with peanut, movement is forward. I have control of peanut between my legs.
Hemi-Stands:
Your dog will start by standing on a stable surface. You will then lift up 2 limbs on the same side and hold for 10-15 seconds, then
Hemi-Stands: As an unstable surface, we used the rounded side of the bosu. For more of a challenge, flip it over with the flat side up.
alternate sides. The higher you lift the limbs, the more challenging the exercise. The goal is to gradually work up to 60 seconds with proper form. When this is mastered, you can try it on an unstable surface, such as a pillow, bosu ball or a peanut.
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Bird-Dog:
This exercises is similar to the Hemi-Stands, but instead of lifting the ipsilateral limbs, you will be lifting opposite front and hind limbs.
Bird-Dog: Start on a stable surface, then progress to an unstable surface when more advanced.
Again, the goal is to gradually work up to 60 seconds with proper form. When this is mastered, you can try it on an unstable surface, such as a pillow, bosu ball or a peanut.
Be cautious as to not overdo these exercises, especially if you have an older dog. It can be easy to overdo it if you have a dog that’s high-driven or highly food motivated (like my beagle). Evaluate how your dog feels the next day. If he/she appears to be slow, stiff, tired or sore, back off on the exercises next time you do them. Exercises may need to be modified, depending on your dog’s fitness level and specific injuries.
There are so many great exercises out there! Please share some of your dog’s favorites.
Sincerely,
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