Changing a dogs posture, is it possible?

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Flowerofthefen

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We have the most gorgeous fox red lab. She is such an easy dog and a fabulous working dog. Very often gets dog of the day! Unfortunately a few years ago she injured her shoulder. We are making sure she is the correct weight, she has regular physio, we have just bought an infra red thingy for her and all this seems to be helping. I have noticed she trots along quite heavily on 'the forehand'. When she raises her head she is completely sound. When her head is down and all her weight is on the front, she is intermittently lame. Is there any way I can change the way she moves? Any exercises I could do with her? Thank you.
 
Dogs do naturally carry their weight more on the forehand. However, if this is a reoccurring injury or lameness issue, then a vet work up and vet physio follow on would be my rec.
 
She tore the muscle in her shoulder. Vet didn't find it, physio did. She had box rest then a lengthy stint of gentle walks, building her back up. She was sound for quite a while. It just seems to reoccur when she goes along on her front end.
 
Which shoulder muscle did she tear? Biceps? My dog had surgery to release it as they can be hard to get to heal. Although the surgeon did it without my permission and I was v unhappy at the time. They can also injure their medial shoulders these are a nightmare to get to heal :/
 
KEK said:
Which shoulder muscle did she tear? Biceps? My dog had surgery to release it as they can be hard to get to heal. Although the surgeon did it without my permission and I was v unhappy at the time. They can also injure their medial shoulders these are a nightmare to get to heal :/
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Actually not sure! When we took her to the physio she let me feel the tear, which I could easily feel. After treatment, box rest and 6 weeks easy walking we took her back and there was barley anything to feel. The physio was really happy with her. Because she has been guarding her shoulder, her next is also tight so we are doing carrot stretches for dogs, all of which is helping.
 
My little terrier has multiple problems. The thing that helps him most is a water treadmill. He went for 6 months last year for knee problems lt hind, rt shoulder problems and neck impingement. He was seen by a vet had vet treatment then physio assessment for rehab. They recommended water treadmill as it could be adjusted as he improved and wouldn't strain his neck. He stopped in July/August and has stiffened up the last few weeks and I can see he's not using his left hind properly so he's going back tomorrow to be assessed and hopefully restart.
The bonus is he loves it.😍 he used himself really well after a few sessions.
 
misst said:
My little terrier has multiple problems. The thing that helps him most is a water treadmill. He went for 6 months last year for knee problems lt hind, rt shoulder problems and neck impingement. He was seen by a vet had vet treatment then physio assessment for rehab. They recommended water treadmill as it could be adjusted as he improved and wouldn't strain his neck. He stopped in July/August and has stiffened up the last few weeks and I can see he's not using his left hind properly so he's going back tomorrow to be assessed and hopefully restart.
The bonus is he loves it.😍 he used himself really well after a few sessions.
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Will look into the water treadmill, havnt heard of anything local to me though. Thank you.
 
If you are anywhere near the south west, get a referral to The Renew Centre in Gloucs. Rachel the main vet there is fabulous and they will find out what is going on and give you a plan to work to. People travel several hours to go there as it's so good.
If it's too far, see if there is somewhere similar in your area, you need a proper diagnosis and a treatment and conditioning plan. Water treadmill may help, but you need to know what is going on first, as it may not help at all.
 
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