How to warm-up your dog before a walk?
To perform a good warm-up, you need to be able to control your dog permanently. A good warm-up shoul Read More
How to stretch a stiff dog?
Keith Little
2025-07-13 08:20:31
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Consistency is key. Better a few minutes of stretching every day than a marathon session once a week. Always keep two words in mind: slowly and gently. Never stretch your dog too quickly or use jerking motions. Follow your dog’s lead. If they show any signs of discomfort or uneasiness, adjust your method accordingly. Always perform these stretches on your dog in a quiet place in which they feel comfortable.
The Method: With your dog standing, grasp one of their back legs just above the knee. Slowly move the leg back so it is positioned out behind your dog’s body. When you reach the point of resistance, stop and hold the leg in position for 15-30 seconds. Repeat 2 or 3 times for each back leg. The Method: With your dog standing, grasp one of their front legs just above the elbow with one of your hands. Place your other hand under the elbow to stabilize it. Slowly move the front leg so it is positioned out in front of your dog’s body. When you reach the point of resistance, stop and hold the leg in position for 15-30 seconds. Repeat 2 or 3 times for each front leg. Grab a handful of your dog’s favorite training treats. With your dog standing, move to one side of their body. With the treat in your hand where they can see it, move your hand slowly along their body from their face towards the direction of their tail. Encourage your dog to follow the treat with their eyes, turning only their head, which will require them to bend their body into a C shape. Hold in this position for 15-30 seconds, then reward them with the treat. Repeat 2 or 3 times on each side.
Deshaun Haag
2025-07-01 05:58:38
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: 17
To stretch a stiff dog, lie down if possible, as this is ideal, but not always possible. If they need to stand, make sure they’re well supported because they’ll only have 3 legs on the ground. Go slow, as if you go too quickly, your dog will probably resist. Be gentle, the aim is to stretch the muscles, without irritating arthritic joints. Aim for a 30-second stretch, most dogs won’t tolerate 30 seconds on one go, so break it up into multiple smaller stretches, ie 6 X 5 seconds or 3 X 10 seconds.
For specific stretches, a Neck Stretch can be done from a standing or sitting position, use a treat to lure your dog’s head into a wide arc to the side, and move towards the hip. The Forelimb Extension (Tricep) stretch can be done by lying down, with one hand supporting behind the shoulder and with the other hand pushing the elbow forward. The Hindlimb Flexion (Hammy) Stretch can be done by lying down, holding around the ankle (hock), slowly stretch the leg forwards aiming to get the paw up towards their head.
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Vida Marks
2025-06-23 09:25:03
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: 23
To perform a shoulder extension, have your dog lie on his side and stabilize the shoulder joint by placing one hand over the point of the shoulder and applying gentle pressure. Place your other hand under his leg and gently lift it parallel to the floor. With the elbow straight, gently move the leg toward the head until you feel resistance, then hold for 20 to 30 seconds.
For aging dogs, gently “bicycling” the hind legs, a motion that warms the joint fluid and improves blood flow to help joints and muscles feel more comfortable, is recommended. This passive stretch also helps improve the gait of senior pets, allowing them to stay active.
Sitting and rising to a stand is a wonderful active exercise to help improve range of motion in the hips and knees. If hips are a problem area, consider the hip flexion stretch, where you place the palm of one hand over his upper back leg bone to support the joint and place your other hand under the leg, lifting it parallel to the floor. Allow the knee to bend, then slowly guide the leg along the side of the body until you feel resistance; then, hold for 20 to 30 seconds.
A play bow is a nice stretch to the groin muscles, an area that many dogs will overwork if they have any subtle knee injuries. To encourage your dog to bow, do the position yourself—he’ll likely reciprocate, and everyone will enjoy a nice stretch. One of the best ‘stretches’ is actually just moving the joint through range of motion and not putting significant tension on the muscles.
Greyson Gusikowski
2025-06-23 05:32:29
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: 20
Stretching can improve your dog’s mobility and quality of life. Regardless of their age, stretching and strengthening can help with pain and may reduce the need for medications and surgeries in the future. Stretching will only take a few minutes a day and is extremely beneficial, especially after exercise. There are multiple parts of the body that can be stretched, but there are a few in particular that are very beneficial: shoulders, chest, back, and hips. Stretches should be done gently and slowly to ensure they are well tolerated by your dog. The shoulder flexors can be stretched in a stand or when lying down on their side. If your dog has mobility issues or pain, it would be recommended to stretch them while lying down. Grasp the forearm gently in front of the elbow and stretch the limb forward while staying parallel with the ground. Hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds. Stretching the chest can be performed in a sit position or lying on their back, this stretch involves gently moving the limb away from the chest to the side.
While in a stand or lying on their side position, gently extend the hind limb backwards to stretch the hip flexors. Keep the back and pelvis parallel with the ground. Hold this stretch for 15-30 seconds and repeat on the other side. These cookie stretches are a great passive stretch for the back, at a stand, slowly get your dog to follow a treat towards their tail, this will allow their body to bend in a C-shape. You can also bring the treat between their front legs to allow for a front bend. If you are unsure of how to stretch your dog, please contact your veterinarian or canine physiotherapist.
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