1 x slightly raised platform (start low but go no higher than the hock).<\/p>\n
To start, ensure that your platform is large enough for your dog to sit comfortably with all four feet on the platform.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Controlled core engagement! This is a core strengthening exercise approaching an advanced movement. It is a safer alternative, however, to the Sit Pretty or Begging position that we see some dogs do. <\/p>\n
The dog is required to use their core muscles to lift the front of their body up onto an elevated platform in a controlled manner into a square sitting position. This requires a big contraction of all the muscles within the abdominal area and core along with the hip flexors to lift and move the front of the body up and backwards into a sitting position (almost like a stomach crunch for humans).<\/p>\n
The movement requires coordination and control while engaging the muscles running above and below the spine (epaxial and hypaxial muscles) particularly the muscles on the underside (belly side) of the spine i.e. the iliopsoas, and the abdominal muscles. These muscles need to brace, control and stabilize the core while executing the movement. The hip stabilizers must also engage to control the square sit along with the adductors and pelvic floor muscles. <\/p>\n
As you progress though the exercise, start to work from a standing position. This position will also require extension and then flexion from the hamstrings and glutes as they are engaged.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
This exercise is likened to a Reverse Tuck-Sit.<\/p>\n
It is a difficult exercise and calls for very hard work on muscles that are normally weaker in most dogs. Please start with low repetitions: no more than 3 – 5 repetitions every 3 days and build from there once your dog has an idea of how his body should move to execute the exercise.<\/p>\n
Place the dog in a square sit on a slightly elevated platform. Ask them to bring their front legs off the platform and remain sitting with the back legs.<\/p>\n
Remember:<\/strong> when bringing the front legs off the platform, hold the treat in a position that does not keep the spine and head up an overly extended position for extended periods of time.<\/p>\n With the back legs in a square sit on the platform and the front legs standing on the ground, raise and move your treat up and backward to encourage the dog to pop back up onto the platform with their front feet only finishing with a full square sit onto the platform.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Ensure that your dog is in a square sit throughout the exercise with the knees (stifles) and thighs always remaining aligned.<\/p>\n Watch that there is no internal or external rotation of the knees (stifles) or hocks.<\/p>\n Watch for looseness in the hips and pelvic region as fatigue sets in along with rotation in the stifles (knees) as the adductor muscles start to fatigue.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n This exercise, as simplistic as it looks, really engages the core and will benefit those dogs who do not have a strong enough core to perform the backwards “pop-up” onto the platform yet.<\/p>\n You may use this as an intermediate step to help your dog.<\/p>\n Start by allowing your dog to sit squarely on an elevated platform. Place your treat in front of them but far enough for them to have to reach forward to get the treat without falling off the platform so they must “push-back” to return to the square sit position at the start. Repeat the movements so that there is a pumping action reaching forward and returning to the square sit while the dog remains in the sit.<\/p>\n This movement really engages the core and helps develop the push-back muscle memory required in the pop-up to get back onto the platform.<\/p>\n Here you will see signs of fatigue but also how when he gets tired, he needs to stretch out the core and hip flexors. Remember this when starting out as the core and hip flexors are really working hard to contract when executing the exercise.<\/p>\n Progressing from performing the Hiccup in a seated position to performing the exercises while standing with the rear feet on an elevated platform.<\/p>\n In this video you will also see how unsteadiness presents itself as signs of fatigue.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-8995","tva_lesson","type-tva_lesson","status-publish","hentry","tva_courses-bk-9-foundational-strength-program","post-wrapper","thrv_wrapper"],"yoast_head":"\nWatchpoints<\/h3>\n
Progression<\/h3>\n
\n
Videos of the Exercise<\/h3>\n
Video 1: Attica performing Sustained Push-back Sit Pumps<\/h4>\n
Video 2: Artemis in one of his first sessions with Hiccups<\/h4>\n
Video 3: Artemis demonstrating the progression of the hiccup<\/h4>\n