The puppy trick that I HATE seeing people to do!

     So there's this one trick, that every time I see it I cringe. It's not that it's the end of the world if you have trained this, but I think it causes more issues than the benefits and uses you get from training it.

It's putting feet into small items. Small cardboard boxes, or small bowls.

The reason that I don't like this. 

Many of the issues that I see in dogs in terms of posture and fitness work is in how they hold their rear end. Many dogs tend to hold their rear legs under their hips, instead of in a natural stack. This is often because of muscle weakness, particularly core and gluteal muscle weakness. This trick encourages this positioning, as well as roaching through the back to hold the position  - this is another common issue in performance dogs and one that is often found in dogs that struggle to keep their rear legs in a correct position.

Flori's legs are in a similar position here as what they would be in box, or bowl. Her rear limbs are tucked under her body, and she is curling her pelvis under to hold this position. 

I want my dogs as they grow to learn muscle memory for correct form, in all positions. I would like my dogs to learn to use all their muscles correctly instead of using some areas too much, and some not enough.

Flori is standing more evenly here than in the previous photo, however, she is still placing more weight on her front limbs than her back limbs.

Here Flori is standing squarely. Her weight is even on front and rear limbs, and her topline is even. She is using her core, and glut's to stay in this position, and her limbs are positioned in an appropriate place under her body for her structure. * 

Alternatives to this trick. 

These tricks can look similar, and have a similar process in terms of shaping, however, have more benefits to stance and strength than the potential to cause issues. 

• Front feet on a small stable perch
• Back feet on a small stable perch
• Front feet on one small stable perch, back feet on a separate perch
• Stand on an aerobic step
• Send and stand on an elevated platform
• Pivoting on a perch (In my opinion MORE cute than feet in a bowl!)

So. Think about what you teach, why, and the potential fallouts as well as the benefits! Have fun, teach stuff!

* Note: Flori is only 6 months old in the photo's above, and even younger in the video. She still has growing to do! 

If you want help with trick training, fitness, or anything else email me on hybriddogtraining@gmail.com 

#FDSANaNoWriMo blog post number 6

November the 6th 2018