How to
improve the quality of your working dog’s life!
Many
dog owners invest considerable time in being active with their dogs through
obedience training, hunting activities, tracking and protection exercises at
training grounds, out in the countryside or in the forest. These activities
allow us to spend time with our dogs while also keeping them physically and
mentally alert. Others, such as the police and security guards, use dogs at
work. We expect these dogs to have a well-developed physique to be able to
perform the work they are trained to do. A lot of time and money is spent on
training a smart and efficient dog. There is considerable research and many
opinions on the topics of what food and exercise is best for our dogs. We all
have the animals’ best at heart. Good care and healthy food is thought to be
essential.
No
matter how well we take care of our dogs, disease and injuries do still occur.
If the injury is related to the muscles, tendons, joints or ligaments a vet or
physiotherapist can help. If there is a defect in the hip or elbow joints and in
cases caused by unhealthy breeding, the only treatment available is pain relief.
As dog owners there is nothing we can do to repair problems related to unhealthy
breeding nor can we prevent all accidents. However we can prevent muscle related
problems and strain injuries by massaging and stretching our dogs regularly.
This keeps the dog well-balanced physically and psychologically, allowing it to
retain the agility of the young dog to an advanced age.
A
well-functioning dog has retained its natural elasticity and
suppleness.
A
dog with restricted mobility has short and stiff muscles. When a dog has
shortened musculature or tonicity, pressure is exerted on the joints leading, in
turn, to decreased mobility. This ‘strangles’ the blood vessels and impairs
blood circulation. Muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments then receive
insufficient nutrition and less oxygen. Reduced blood flow also means that
lactic acid accumulated in the muscles is not naturally transported away. The
lactic acid builds up along with other waste products leading to irritation of
the pain receptors in the muscles. The dog experiences pain. Pain, in turn,
causes further tension and reduces blood flow even more. A vicious circle arises
and can persist for some time if it is not discovered and
treated.
Short and
stiff muscles is something that we ourselves and our dogs can suffer from if we
don’t take care of our physical condition. Another illnes that might reduce our
dogs mobility is Arthrosis, and is usually formed of
fibrous connective tissue and cartilage and is very common in older
persons or dogs, especially affecting weight-bearing joints. Articular
cartilage becomes soft, frayed and thinned.
But
also younger persons or dogs might get Arthrosis due to genetic reasons,
injuries or the combination of overweight and too little exercise. A common
symptom of Arthrosis is stiffness and lameness.
Studies on
dogs have shown that regular massage and stretching during a longer period of
time are preventing and reducing the effects of Arthrosis and age related
stiffness.
Massage and
stretching are an effective way to prevent muscle related problems and strain
injuries and improve the quality of your dog’s life. Massage and stretching are a complement
to daily exercise, obedience training and diet and build contact between you and
your dog in a natural way.
Warming
up before activity has a preventative effect and stretching is just as effective
after the dog has used its muscles. The dog should have warmed up and exercised
before you start to stretch the muscles and I recommend that you allow your dog
to wind down after physical exertion. Let the dog walk for a while on the lead
in the same way a race horse runs an extra lap at half the pace to round off the
race. This helps to remove lactic acid and waste products. As with massage it is
important that the dog is relaxed before you start this
treatment.
Begin
by stretching the back of the dog’s upper foreleg and the flexor muscles of the
foreleg. Hold the dog’s elbow with one hand, grasping the wrist with the other.
Move the leg forward and upwards, stretching the elbow joint. Stretch the muscle
slowly and carefully to its full extent. You will feel when the muscle becomes
taut, causing resistance at the back of the upper foreleg. The ultimate position
can vary considerably depending on age, breed and mobility capacity. Hold this
position for 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat the movement between 1 and 3 times. At
each repetition you can gently try to extend a bit more. The aim is to work up
good mobility in the muscle by stretching. The result can be seen in extended
gait. If the muscle is shortened the dog might appear to be lame.
The
forelegs act as supports for the torso and bear a considerable proportion of the
dog’s weight. Overweight dogs place greater pressure on these joints and
ligaments. The same is true of large, heavy breeds. If they also suffer from
shortened muscles the pressure on the joints is very
considerable.
By
stretching you keep the muscles extended and pliable and also increase the
mobility capacity around the joints.
Warming up
can involve walking with the dog on the lead for 15 to 20 minutes before
allowing it to run freely. In this way the muscles soften up and are ready for
physical activity. Competitive or working dogs should warm up in a more
goal-oriented way.
Below you
can find a check list that might come in handy when warming
up.
First
remember that the dog should have warmed up and exercised before starting
a competition or an active session. I also strongly recommend that you allow
your dog to wind down after a competition or an active session before any
stretching activities.
Here is a check list that could be used before a
competition or active session.
1 Let-
Let
the dog walk slowly for a while and then increase the tempo for 2-3
minutes.
2 Let-
Let
the dog trot for 2-3 minutes.
3
-
Let
the dog gallop for one minute.
4
-
Then
let the dog make some short explosive moves.
5
-
Let
the dog wind down a little by going back to trotting and then
walking.
Warming
up does not tire the dog but rather increases blood circulation and warm up the
muscles ensuring that the joints are lubricated and more supple. The dog is now
ready to perform.
After
the warm up you could also easily test your dog’s mobility using the eight most
common stretching techniques. You should be sensitive to your dog’s signals. The
dog should not experience any discomfort. If it does, don’t hesitate to contact
the vet.
Massage and stretching is an essential and a low cost
investment in your dog’s health and improves the quality of your dogs
life.
Jörn
Oleby, author of the book ”Canine Massage and Stretching – A Dog Owners Manual.
(Pictures used from the book)
This book can be found here:
USA-
South
Africa-
