Many dogs have back problems in the course of their lives and dog owners want to support their four-legged friends with targeted back training for dogs.
I am very glad that there is now a greater awareness among dog owners about their dog’s back and therefore possible problems or diseases. Only a few years ago, diseases such as spondylosis were rather incidental findings and four-legged friends often tormented themselves with back pain over a long period of time, even though they showed clear symptoms to their humans.
In movement training, the possibilities and exercises are very diverse, but above all also depend on what you want to train. For example, if you have a sporting dog whose back muscles need strengthening, but there are no spinal conditions, different exercises may make sense than for a dog with spondylosis, after a herniated disc, or with cauda equina compression syndrome. Here, of course, appropriate consideration must be given to the disease of the spine.
This is important in back exercises for dogs
In this article I will introduce you to two exercises that your dog can easily learn and that can be used specifically to increase, on the one hand, the flexibility of the spine and the muscles by means of an active stretching. On the other hand, the exercises strengthen the back muscles, giving stability to the spine. Back training for dogs
The combination of both factors is very important, because shortened muscles and with limited mobility, you can’t really build muscle in a targeted way.
Both exercises are components of an effective workout and I love to use them in my classes, especially the Back Fit class. They offer you an introduction and insight into exercise training, but are no substitute for a visit to the vet or specific training.
Back training for dogs – 2 active exercises from my courses
K9 – Round
Trained body areas
Back muscles back training for dogs
Effect
Circling is an intense, active stretching of the back muscles. In addition, balance and coordination of the entire body as well as equal load on both sides of the body are promoted.
Here’s how
Your dog is in the starting position “Stand” in front of you. Now lure your dog around your legs to the right with a treat in your right hand. When your dog is behind you, your left hand comes into play and you pick him up behind you with the treat in your left hand and lead him back in front of you. Of course, you can also build up the exercise in the next step with a signal word and leave out the treat halfway through. Thus, the movement then becomes more and more fluid. Make sure your dog runs in both directions so that both halves of the body are exercised equally.
By the way, it is not unusual if you find that going around your dog is easier in either direction. Dogs also have a chocolate side. However, you can strengthen the weaker side through continuous training.
Training recommendation
Start with 2-3 circumnavigations per direction.
S4 – Sit Prettyback training for dogs
Trained body areas
Shoulder muscles and forelegs, neck, back and croup muscles.
Effect
Stretching of neck as well as back muscles, training of muscles of front legs and shoulders, muscles of back and croup, balance and coordination of the whole body.
Here’s how
Your dog is in the starting position “Sit”. You stand next to your dog and you look in the same direction. Hold a treat close over your dog’s nose and very slowly bring it up vertically a little so that your dog stretches for it. Make sure he doesn’t jump up; if that happens, you were too fast or then you are holding the treat too high. Optimally, the exercise is performed when your dog not only stretches his neck, but also stands slightly on his toes with his front paws. Hold the position for about 3 seconds. Slowly guide the treat back to the starting position before rewarding your dog.
Tip: If your dog is having a hard time staying in place, you can also use a target to help him put his front paws on. As an alternative to training with treats, you can also work with the nose touch if it is familiar to your dog.
Variation: If your dog masters the exercise safely, he can also stand with his front paws on a flexible surface to increase the training effect of the exercise.
Training recommendation back training for dogs
The exercise looks very simple, but it means a high body tension for your dog and a great effort. Start with 2-3 repetitions of 3 seconds each.
Your dog suffers from back problems and you would like to support him more intensively? Feel free to contact me and we can exchange ideas on how to help him! Back
By the way: You can also find these and many more exercises in my online courses for exercise and fitness training for dogs – here you will learn how to train with your dog in a targeted and healthy way! Back training for dogs
All the love, Tina
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