Once you have cleared it with your veterinarian that it is safe to strengthen your dog's pasterns, you may proceed as follows:

Using the Front Bias of a Domed Surface

Equipment required:

2 x Paw Pods (TotoFit are the recommended brand) or 1 Bozu Ball

(Link for Toto fit Paw Pods: http://totofit.com/product/nubby-pawds/)

1 x Elevated stable platform or box (height dependent on the size of the dog - allowing topline of spine to be at approximately 45 degrees)

1 x Stable standing platform, low to the ground for the rear feet.

Start with front feet elevated on a platform that is approximately your dog’s knee height or provides an angle of at least 45 degrees along the spine when standing. The angle should still ensure that the front legs may be placed directly under the shoulders in a straight line and takes weight off the front legs.

Front feet are placed on the front half or downward slope of the PawPods causing the pastern to point more steeply downward or to encourage flexion, thereby forcing the tendons that run under and behind the toes (Deep and Superficial Digital Flexors) to engage and help flex the foot by pointing it downward. This encourages a weight shift towards the toes and lifting the pastern/carpus and thereby forcing the dog’s foot into proper alignment. Think of yourself standing on your tippy toes and arching your foot.

With the front feet positioned correctly on the front half of the PawPods, we ask the dog to remain standing still on the PawPods while keeping his weight shifted gently forward onto his front legs.

We can do this by ensuring that the front leg is directly under the shoulder and not leaning backward or forward. Help your dog by lifting the treat to just above the nose, encouraging the dog to “lift in the toes” of the front feet to reach the treat.

Ask your dog to hold this position. Start at 15 seconds per repetition and work your way up to 20 – 30 seconds and repeat, building gradually to a hold of 60 seconds for 1 repetition.

After each repetition, remove the dog off the Paw Pods carefully ensuring that they do not slip, jump or slide off from the height and then repeat the exercise for the number of repetitions required.

NOTE:

If the weight on the front feet is too heavy, your dog's form will be compromised, so, it is important to start with the front feet adequately raised.

As the front feet become stronger, the front elevation may be lowered and the repetitions start again at the lower end of holding time, i.e. 15 seconds.

As the feet get stronger, you should be able to see the toes starting to grip the PawPods in a catlike manner and the front end may start to be lowered as time goes by.

Feedback Position Photos Collection - Artemis using a bias on the Bozu Ball for Weaker Pasterns

When starting out, you may place your Bozu Ball on top of a stable platform to raise it higher off the ground thereby decreasing the weight bearing on the front legs. As the pasterns become stronger remove the platform so that it is just the Bozu on the ground

Exercise:

Starting with 3 x 5 – 7 repetitions, holding for 15 – 20, adding 5 seconds each week.

Perform the exercise at least 3 - 4 times per week

Building to 3 x 10 repetitions, holding for approximately 45 - 60 seconds.

During these long holds, working on "pumping in the stand" and even walking around to the back of your dog while your dog follows you with her head while remaining in that elevated stand and then return to the front of the dog. You can move both to the left and right sides of your dog. This is also a way to help relieve some of the boredom that may be associated with the exercise.

Ensure the back feet remain on the solid platform with the back hocks at a 90-degree angle to the ground (perpendicular hocks) while your dog holds his position.

Video 1: Artemis on Front Bias of Bozu

Video 2: Attica on Front Bias of Bozu

Because the surface of the Bozu is a little slippery for Attica, I place a square of non-slip matting on the surface to ensure better grip for her.

Digging

One can also use Digging as an exercise to strengthen Pasterns. This may not be something that everyone may be eager to do for fear of messing up their garden, but we can do this as a form of exercise that can be trained.

Digging is a form of high-intensity exercise that targets the stabilizers of the core, pelvis, hamstrings, glutes, and spine along with an intense workout in the shoulders, forelimbs and of course, pasterns! Due to the intensity of the exercise, the exertion is similar to sprinting and your dog will get a super cardio-vascular exercise within just 15 -20 seconds of continued digging action.

You will need:

1 x towel, blanket or snuffle mat

1 x toy or treats (my dog works better with a toy)

Make sure that your blanket, towel or mat does not move around while your dog is digging on it by standing on a corner.

Place a toy or treat underneath the blanket and encourage your dog to "dig it out".

This may be loads of fun once your dog understands what it is required.

It is important that you gauge your dog's temperament as some dogs may become hyper-aroused, possessive of the blanket, etc. as this may not be appropriate for every dog.

Video 3: Artemis Digging

In the video below you will see that Artemis gets into a good rhythm on the 3rd attempt. You can see how well he stabilizes his core and holds his hamstrings and spine while doing some super work with his front legs and pasterns.

If you do not see improvement within 3 weeks, check with your veterinarian to ensure that there is no other issue that may be impeding progress.

Targeting the Pasterns with exercise

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Strength, Injury Prevention and Signs of Fatigue

Understanding Your Dog's Body

Foundations in Strength Building - mastering your basic moves

Extra: Strengthening Pasterns (wrists)

Getting Stronger!

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