Canine Mobility Project

Balu shares his grounding energy with our firecracker, Polly.

A little play in the water, followed by a roll in horse poop. I have come to know that a very cheeky episode is followed by a big nap!

There is something so deeply inspiring watching this boy work. But the best part is knowing how much he loves it. If you turn up the volume, you can here him barking behind the door as I whisper..."find your odour..." Oh Balu...

Polly is learning to watch and wait for her turn, along with a few positions that prepare her for massage. How great would it be if our dogs could comfortably lay on their side while at a vet appointment? It’s a matter of practice. The reason why our dogs know sit so well, is because we ask for it all the time. We can do the same with other positions.

If anyone is interested in joining a fun introduction to scent class series, held at my property, mid September...please contact Arleigh (our teacher) [email protected]

This is a local business and with this heat, it sure is handy to have a fold up bowl.

My first concern is keeping my dogs safe, so they remain on long lines/leashes while on the trails. We have had too many encounters with wildlife and nature, so I now follow my inner wisdom. But...things still happen. Polly is a curious 8 month old pup, add in a bee hive that was located in the ground right next to the trail...plus a big powerful Balu...need I say more?

Polly and her horse friend Azi, sharing a few oats in the morning sunshine.

When I can’t fit a meditation into my day, listening to this will suffice...

More greens please...

This is a fun exercise to do with your dogs for many reasons. For younger dogs like Polly (6 months), any NEW activity is building connections in her brain. I am setting her up for future learning by strengthening these connections. You can do this with one dog, or two. When working both dogs, the one who is on the raised bed (can also be a regular floor bed) is challenged by holding a position, while the other dog is being worked on the mat with the guardian.... Skills being built on the mat include the positions: sit, stand and down. There is pivot work happening when the hind end rotates around the front end and there is a step up, if using a raised bed. This will strengthen the lateral muscles of the hind end, including those that abduct and adduct the limb. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SenDC_o8AMs&feature=youtu.be

There are so many reasons why I like to teach my dogs how to walk/trot on a long line. One of my favourite activities is trail running with my dogs. Although I limit how much trotting/cantering Polly does until she is full grown, I can have some control over high impact movements on a long line. I am not a fan of my dogs bounding through the bush for safety reasons and because of the stress on their joints. I start them when they are young, just as I teach leash skills right away. They have lots of freedom and it is extremely enjoyable for all 3 of us.

Oh I can’t wait to teach this little one! It all starts with a harness that supports freedom of movement and a leash that encourages balance. But all our little one needs to know right now is that out beautiful b (Balu) is a big friend.

Finding those activities that activates the senses, the heart desire, fitness and you can almost see the brain firing in this video, as Balu works to find the odour. It is located under the cone. I wait him out to indicate with either a sit or a down. The reward is a drop of the ball back with me.

A clever move by cousin Oscar...sit on Polly pup to calm her.

Building strength with specific movements is fun for both you and your dog.

Waiting for breakfast...team work!

Oh my..what an incredible connection and display of movements!

Mobility: the quality or state of being mobile or movable Now this is beautliful lateral movement that Balu is demonstrating. Why would I do this with my dog? To develop the muscles that abduct and adduct the limb. What does this mean? Most of our movements are repetitive and in forward motion. It is important to work the muscles that move the limbs laterally and medially as well...away from the midline and towards it.