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PET HAPPENINGS April 2015

Live Better with your Pets!
by Jessica Turquette owner of Moab BARKery

Our motto is to live better with your pets, and there is no better way to do this than be proactive about their health. No matter what type of dog you have stretching is a great natural tool to improve the well-being and longevity of your pet.
Older dogs are prone to joint problems, loss of muscle tone and size, decreased flexibility, and the aches and pains of an aging body. Dogs involved in athletic events (especially strenuous sports like fly-ball and agility) put a lot of stress on their bodies during competition. Stretching is extremely important for these older dogs and canine athletes alike.

Large and giant breed dogs are more prone to musculoskeletal problems than smaller pets, so keeping your big dog lean and strong is crucial to their well-being. Traditional veterinary medicine doesn’t have a lot to offer these pets beyond drugs and surgery, delivered only after a problem has developed and the dog’s health and quality of life are jeopardized. That’s why natural therapies like stretching, chiropractic, and regular physical activity are so important to maintaining your dog’s comfort, mobility and quality of life.

You might be surprised how easy it is to help your pet preserve and even increase mobility and range of motion (and decrease pain) in just a few minutes a day.
The key is consistency.

Providing daily walks followed by a short session of gentle stretching can do wonders for your pet both physically and mentally.

There are four areas of your dog’s body for which stretching is especially beneficial – the hips, shoulders, the back and the neck.

Stretches, done slowly and gently, are well tolerated by most dogs. However, if you don’t feel confident in your ability to do the stretches, consider asking your vet or a small animal chiropractor to demonstrate the stretches for you so you can do them at home.

Instructions for most of these stretches have your dog standing, but you can also do them with your dog lying on her side, or in the case of the chest stretch, on her back. Some dogs are very uncomfortable in this position, so if yours is, don’t force the issue.

Needless to say, if your pet shows any sign of pain during stretching, discontinue the movement and have her seen by your vet as soon as possible.

• Stretching the hip flexors. The hip flexors are muscles that enable your dog to move his legs and hips while walking, trotting or running. To stretch the hip flexors, ask your dog to stand, and grasp a back leg above the knee. Gently and slowly move the leg to a bend and extend back straight out behind your dog’s body. When you reach a point of resistance, where further extension will require applying pressure, hold the leg in position for 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat this stretch 2 or 3 times with each back leg.
Benefits your dog will receive from this stretch include increased movement and flexibility in the hips and spine, improved conditioning of the lower back, hip and leg muscles, and a reduction in arthritis-related discomfort and pain.

• Stretching the shoulder flexors. Shoulder flexors are muscles that allow fluid movement and proper use of your dog’s front legs. To stretch the shoulder flexors, with your dog standing, grasp a front leg above the elbow, place your other hand under the elbow to stabilize it, and gently move the leg forward (imagine you’re teaching your pet to do a ‘high-five’). At the point of resistance, hold the position for 15 to 30 seconds and repeat 2 or 3 times for each front leg.
Not only does this stretch improve the integrity of shoulder structure, it also benefits the wrists and elbows, and increases your dog’s breathing capacity by loosening her chest muscles.

• Stretching the chest area. The muscles of your dog’s chest endure a great deal of strain. This is an abduction stretch, meaning a stretch away from center. With your dog on his back, grasp both front legs near the wrists and gently open them out to the side. Hold for several seconds, release and repeat.

Since your dog may expect a chest or tummy rub (he’s on his back, after all), you can relax him further by giving him a gentle chest massage using light pressure and circular strokes.

• Stretching the back and neck. This stretch requires the use of training treats. Again with your dog standing and you on one side of her, move the treat slowly in the direction of her tail, encouraging her to follow it with her eyes – turning only her head. This will require her to bend her body into a C shape. Hold her in this position for 15 to 30 seconds, then step to her other side and repeat the exercise. Do 2 or 3 stretches on each side.
After you’ve stretched your dog’s back, she’ll really enjoy a sacrum and back rub. The sacrum is the area in front of the base of the tail, between the hip bones. Using light pressure and circular movements massage the hard flat surface of the sacrum. Move your hands slowly up your dog’s spine and back using gentle massage strokes.
Regular sacrum and back rubs decrease anxiety, increase the flow of spinal fluid, enhance mobility in the hips and spine, and help bring your dog’s body into balance.

• Stretching the shoulders. The shoulders are also a muscle that needs to be stretched and quite often can be stiff on dogs, as their natural movement and instinct to stretch don’t always cover this area. You will also need treats for this stretch. Use the treat in your hand and come under the belly between the legs up to the dogs nose, than slowly draw your hand back between the legs to encourage the dog to follow the treat. Hold the dog in this position for 15 to 30 seconds, and repeat 2 to 3 times.


MoabBARkery website

 

Dog Friendly Walks/Hikes in the Moab Area
Trail or Walk Difficulty Length
(one way)
Proximity to Downtown
MillCreek Pathway
easy 1.1 miles Little to no driving
Starts at 100 S & 100 W
Portal Overlook
(trailhead @ Jaycee Park)
Hard 2.0 miles 25 min drive N on US-191 to W on Utah 279 (4.2 miles)
Moab Rim Hard 3.0 miles
(to Hidden Valley trail)
8 minute drive 2.6 miles down Kane Creek Blvd from US-191
Negro Bill Canyon
(aka William Grandstaff Canyon)
Moderate 2.0 miles 10 minute drive N on US-191 to
W on Utah 128, 3 miles
Hunter Canyon Easy 2.0 miles 25 minute drive (mild off-road)
7.5 miles down Kane Creek Blvd from US-191
Corona Arch Trail Easy/Moderate 1.5 miles 25 minute drive N on US-191 to
W Utah 279 (10 miles)
Hidden Valley
(trailhead at end of Angel Rock Rd)
Hard 2.0 miles 10 minute drive S on US-191
3 miles to Angel Rock Rd
Fisher Towers
(trailhead 2.2 miles off Utah 128)
Moderate 2.2 miles 35 minute drive N on US-191 to Utah 128, then 21 miles

Tips for enjoying your time with your dog here in the Moab area:

  • Bring lots of extra water for you and your dog.1 gallon per day for every 60lbs of dog!!
  • Don’t let dogs chase wildlife (especially coyotes, they can lead dogs into an ambush).
  • In the city, dogs are required to be leashed, but on public lands off leash with voice control is allowed.
  • Slickrock and sand is very abrasive!  Check paw pads often, or buy and use booties.
  • If it’s over 85 degrees only consider early AM or late PM hikes, daycare or leave your dog at home.
  • Pack out my poop!  Seriously or the other hikers without dogs will eventually demand no dogs allowed!

To see past articles about animals, pets and their care check our archives.

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