I made it into the local paper! To see the article “Taking Physical Rehabilitation to the Dogs” click here.
Do you let your dog run loose or use an extending leash? Please be considerate of those dogs that are shy or nervous and don’t like strange dogs getting in their space.
Too cold outside, too icy, too snowy, too buggy, too hot?? I use a DogTread treadmill at home for fitness and conditioning work. If you want know how to exercise your dog without braving the elements, give me a call! 
High impact exercise should be avoid in young dogs until their growth plates have closed. The only true way to know if the growth plates are closed is to do an x-ray, but this chart gives a general idea.
Do you struggle to stabilize your peanut while working with your dog? I recently got this awesome ‘peanut holder’ from Muskoka Agility Equipment.
November 2014: This video is quite long (about an hour), but it does a really nice job of explaining conformation and its effect on gait pattern and function in dogs.
How good are you at reading canine body language? This fun poster has an important message:
In hot weather, watch your dog for signs of heatstroke, and never leave your dog in the car. It can get hot in there quicker than you think.
Teaching your dog to ‘play bow’ is a great way to stretch and strengthen their front legs.
A balance disc is a great tool for strengthening the core, and the front and back legs.
Did you know that canine rehabilitation is an unregulated profession? This means that anyone, even someone with no training at all can say they do canine rehabilitation. Make sure your dog receives treatment from someone who is qualified. Check out the Register of the Animal Rehabilitation Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.
Asking your dog to sit up and “beg” or “sit pretty” can be a great way of testing their core muscles. It is not necessarily the beast way of strengthening them though as it is not a functional position for most dogs. If your dog has any kind of back injury, this is not a good exercise for them. Please contact me for an appointment where we can discuss suitable alternatives.
Do you have pet insurance? I highly recommend that you get pet insurance as soon as you get your dog. It might seem like a lot of money to pay each month….. But consider that emergency medical costs can run into thousands of dollars. Surgery for fractures or cruciate ligament repair averages $8-10,00. Treatment for cancer can be $10,000 or more. If you have insurance, some or all of these costs may be covered. Many insurance policies also cover additional therapies including rehabilitation, acupuncture, chiropractic, or massage.
Do you have an active dog that has been injured? Looking for a good way of exercising them without it being high impact? Have you considered scent detection training? This is a low impact sport that provides a lot of brain work and can still tire your dog out! In scent detection classes your dog will learn search techniques and eventually to identify a particular scent or scents. It is fun for your dog as he will be rewarded for doing what comes naturally – using his nose!
Are you thinking of getting a new puppy? It is important to visit the breeder and meet their dogs. Meeting the parents of your prospective puppy can help you judge its temperament. Visiting the breeder and checking out the conditions will help to ensure you are not buying a puppy mill puppy. Remember to check that the breeder has had both parents health tested for common genetic conditions and illnesses. The breeder should be able to show you certificates that they have at least tested their breeding dogs hips and eyes. Make sure you are given a health warranty with your puppy. This usually means that if your dog develops a genetic illness within a specified period of time, the breeder will accept responsibility and assist with veterinary fees. A good breeder will interview you as much as you are interviewing them, they will want to make sure that the puppy is going to go to a good home. A good breeder will often insist that you contact them if you are no longer able to keep the dog. Rather than take the dog to a shelter, the breeder may take the dog back or help you to find them a new home. Even with the best will in the world, some dogs will get sick or develop orthopaedic conditions, or have behavioural problems, but if you get a puppy from a reputable breeder you are getting off to a good start!
When you get a new puppy, it is important to take the time getting them used to being handled all over. In particular, focus on their feet, mouth, ears, and tail area. Get as many people as you can to handle your puppy. This will make sure they are comfortable being handled all over by different people, and should make visits to the vet in the future a lot less stressful.
Did you know that if you control your dogs food intake and keep them at a healthy weight, you can increase their lifespan by up to two years. To check if your dog is a healthy weight, take a look at the chart below. Your dog should score between 4 and 5 to be at their ideal weight and body condition.
Paws in Motion Canine Rehabilitation 