Coordination in dogs – are coordinated movements innate in dogs?

It is true that our dogs are given a certain mobility and motor skills from the beginning and quickly begin to move on their four paws and explore their world. But they are not automatically given the ability to move in a coordinated manner. This is also quite obvious to us humans, because when you look at a puppy’s movements, you can see at first glance how clumsily and sometimes awkwardly it moves around. The one or other time it comes to stumbling in particular if they are on unfamiliar, terrain on the way. Dog coordination

This means: dogs must first learn movements and coordination Coordination in dogs

The dog’s body is provided with “basic equipment” at birth. This means that while the nervous system is basically programmed to perform various movements. However, it is only through practice that physiological and functioning movement sequences result.

What is the point of learning movements?

Basically, it’s about using muscles in a targeted way to create a smooth sequence of joint movements. This is then called coordinated movements. Especially at the beginning this is very exhausting and difficult. You probably know this yourself when you have to learn a new movement, for example, in sports. At first, this is very difficult and you have to concentrate hard. But with a little practice, you’ll find it easier and eventually the movements will be so memorized that they happen as if automatically and you don’t really have to think about them anymore. Dog coordination

Incidentally, the body uses significantly more energy when learning a movement than when it has already performed it more frequently. At the same time, regular training of these movements also makes them more precise and efficient.

Why do some dogs have poor coordination? Dog coordination

I’m sure you’ve seen it yourself more often than not, that there are dogs that move extremely confidently and with very good coordination. They are also quick to learn new movements. Then again, there are dogs that tend to be clumsy even in adulthood and have great difficulty adjusting to new movements. Cause can be here, for example, that in puppy and young dog age the coordination was not sufficiently promoted and trained. However, diseases of the musculoskeletal system can also result in coordination disorders. It is also the case that with advancing age, nerve function can decline somewhat.

The good thing is: the coordination, body awareness and balance can be trained throughout a dog’s life.

Coordination is actually something that can be improved at any age. If you notice that a dog is having trouble moving around with well-coordinated movements, you should definitely encourage improvement in coordination. Poor coordination usually results in unphysiological movements, uneven musculature and tension, and possibly suboptimal joint mobility, which later leads to osteoarthritis.

How to promote coordination?

For this purpose, exercises from active movement training are used, which very gently and sustainably train coordinated movement sequences. Here, the first step is not about complex exercises and movements at all. Rather, it makes sense to focus on basic movements of the dog first. This includes things like sitting down correctly, lying down neatly, assuming a correct standing position, and moving precisely in step. Dog coordination

In addition, exercises such as cavaletti training and running over an obstacle course can be useful. The portfolio of exercises is huge. When choosing exercises, however, you should always be guided by the particular dog and always start with easy exercises before training more complex movements. Only if the basis is right, even more complicated exercises can be completed correctly. If you decide to add flexible surfaces during the course of your workout, then you should always go from firmer surfaces to softer surfaces and not start with very pliable surfaces. K

Your dog has poor coordination and you really want to do something specifically to make him move more safely? Then I recommend you my Balancefit Online Course! Here you will learn how to support your dog’s balance, coordination and body awareness with active movement training – for a four-legged friend who is fit and confident in life.