Therapeutic Exercise - Home Care Programs
Home care programs are in an integral part of veterinary rehabilitation therapy. Each set of exercises are designed to meet the immediate needs of the patient and client. Each program takes into consideration the current condition of the animal, client commitment and expected outcomes of the rehabilitation therapy. Periodic re-evaluation of each exercise program is essential for patient and client success. General principles of therapeutic exercise include:
- High frequency
- Low duration
- If soreness/tiredness is noted allow for 2-3 days of rest before resuming previous goals
- Increase intensity/duration by 15-20% each week (or 2-3 repetitions per exercise)
- Choose 2-3 exercises per session
- Vary the exercises to prevent boredom and muscle accommodation
- Upon completion of the "introductory" exercise period (first 5-6 weeks), exercises can be done 2-3 times per week
Getting Started
Understanding how your pet moves is a critical first step to helping them improve movement and function. Before starting an exercise program, please watch the video link and try to pick out which gait best represents your pet!
Current Clients:
Please view the list of therapeutic exercises to find what has been selected for your pet.
DO NOT attempt to perform any exercise without explicit instruction from your physical rehabilitation provider as you can cause injury to your pet or surgical failure.
All Information contained within this site is the sole property of Golden Gait Canine and shall not be copied or transmitted without consent or full disclosure to Golden Gait Canine.
Please view the list of therapeutic exercises to find what has been selected for your pet.
DO NOT attempt to perform any exercise without explicit instruction from your physical rehabilitation provider as you can cause injury to your pet or surgical failure.
All Information contained within this site is the sole property of Golden Gait Canine and shall not be copied or transmitted without consent or full disclosure to Golden Gait Canine.
Therapeutic Exercise Pick List
Prescribed Therapy Leash Walks
Thermal Therapy
Massage Therapy
Passive Range of Motion (front leg)
Passive Range of Motion (rear leg)
Continuous Passive Range of Motion
Joint Compressions and Assisted Weight Shifting
Side to Side Body Transitions
Weight Shifting with Front Legs Elevated on a Box
Side Stepping
Figure Eight
Figure Eight with Step Over
Step Over's (Cavaletti's)
Back Up
Back Up with Step Over
Sit to Stand
Sit to Stand on Incline
Circles
Shake with Front Legs
Cookie Stretch (Side Bends)
Play Bow
Gait Training
Commando Crawl
Sit-Pretty
Stairs
Dynamic Surface Core
Dynamic Surface Core 2
Thermal Therapy
Massage Therapy
Passive Range of Motion (front leg)
Passive Range of Motion (rear leg)
Continuous Passive Range of Motion
Joint Compressions and Assisted Weight Shifting
Side to Side Body Transitions
Weight Shifting with Front Legs Elevated on a Box
Side Stepping
Figure Eight
Figure Eight with Step Over
Step Over's (Cavaletti's)
Back Up
Back Up with Step Over
Sit to Stand
Sit to Stand on Incline
Circles
Shake with Front Legs
Cookie Stretch (Side Bends)
Play Bow
Gait Training
Commando Crawl
Sit-Pretty
Stairs
Dynamic Surface Core
Dynamic Surface Core 2
Prescribed Therapy Leash Walks
This walk is different from toileting; it serves the purpose of encouraging limb use, preventing further muscle and range of motion loss and providing mild conditioning. The speed of the walk will be set by your pet. At no time should your pet hop on three legs or change their gait so they become more lame. Remember an increase in the speed of the walk will increase the degree of lameness. Leash walks will be increased 10-20% per week. Do not exceed your previous walking duration prior to injury.
Speed/Duration/Times per day will be based on the animal's level of function
Terrain can include (when appropriate):
Inclines/Declines: Walking straight up an incline will target the front and rear muscles while walking at a diagonal (i.e. to the right) will increase flexion of the left legs and increase the extension of the right legs.
Grass: Walking in grass at the height your pet's wrists will help increase flexion of the joints as they have to pick up their feet.
Gravel/Sand: Walking over uneven soft surfaces can help increase weight shifting, provide sensory feedback, provide mild conditioning, and increase the period of time a leg is touching the ground.
Shallow water: Walking through shallow water will also help encourage limb flexion, extension, and weight shifting. Please keep in mind the terrain under the water (i.e. free of large rocks and crevices), the water temperature, and if there are any waves.
Speed/Duration/Times per day will be based on the animal's level of function
Terrain can include (when appropriate):
Inclines/Declines: Walking straight up an incline will target the front and rear muscles while walking at a diagonal (i.e. to the right) will increase flexion of the left legs and increase the extension of the right legs.
Grass: Walking in grass at the height your pet's wrists will help increase flexion of the joints as they have to pick up their feet.
Gravel/Sand: Walking over uneven soft surfaces can help increase weight shifting, provide sensory feedback, provide mild conditioning, and increase the period of time a leg is touching the ground.
Shallow water: Walking through shallow water will also help encourage limb flexion, extension, and weight shifting. Please keep in mind the terrain under the water (i.e. free of large rocks and crevices), the water temperature, and if there are any waves.
Thermal therapy
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Cold Compress: Commonly used after a surgery, when there is a period of acute inflammation either from arthritis or acute injury, or after therapeutic exercise to prevent inflammation. A bag of peas or crushed ice may be used for the cold compress. A thin towel may be placed between the skin and the ice to alleviate any discomfort. Do not use a wet towel as this will increase the coldness.
Warm Compress: The warm compress is intended to promote blood circulation and tissue extensibility prior to exercise or to reduce the severity of a muscle spasm. Place a clean wet warm towel (wrung out well) onto the desired area. As an alternative, there are human warm packs that are placed in the microwave. Please be careful that it isn’t too hot. Test the pack on your own skin. If your pets skin becomes red or very pink, the pack is too hot. If the pack falls off for more than 2 minutes, you should start the time over.
Massage Therapy
Click here to eAnimal Massage is the manipulation of soft tissues of the body to bring about positive changes in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Animal massage is used for relaxation, pain management, increasing range of motion in joints, preventing injury prior to and after performance events, and promoting long term overall animal health. Massage therapy aids in pain management by the increase in joint fluid and soft tissue health, release of endorphins, decreased stress, and a decrease in muscular splinting resulting from compensation efforts by the animal. Massage therapy is also used for acute and chronic medical conditions (post surgical soft tissue swelling, muscle tightness secondary to immobilization, osteoarthritis and related complications), Please follow these general guidelines.
The massage technique commonly used is called stroking. It is meant to provide relaxation and mild stimulation of the lymphatic and circulatory systems. For post-surgical patients, large, gentle sweeping motions towards the heart beginning at the joint closest to the spine on the affected leg is best. Massage will start at the hip or shoulder and be worked down to the toes (always with strokes towards the heart) which will aide the lymphatic system drainage. If not performing massage for lymphatic drainage, focus on large muscle groups avoiding bony areas like the elbow, spine and ankle.
The massage technique commonly used is called stroking. It is meant to provide relaxation and mild stimulation of the lymphatic and circulatory systems. For post-surgical patients, large, gentle sweeping motions towards the heart beginning at the joint closest to the spine on the affected leg is best. Massage will start at the hip or shoulder and be worked down to the toes (always with strokes towards the heart) which will aide the lymphatic system drainage. If not performing massage for lymphatic drainage, focus on large muscle groups avoiding bony areas like the elbow, spine and ankle.
Passive Range of Motion (PROM)
These movements are PASSIVE and are performed preferably with your pet lying down, one joint at a time. Try and think of each joint as an individual "pivot" point with the other joints remaining static while the "pivot" joint is moving. Do not force flexion or extension of any joint as this could cause muscle/tendon injury; your pet will let you know what is comfortable.
PROM helps to promote joint integrity by moving the synovial fluid around within the joint, thus flushing out cartilage degrading enzymes. PROM also helps to stimulate mechanoreceptors on the joint capsule surface, helping to promote recovery from neurological injury.
PROM helps to promote joint integrity by moving the synovial fluid around within the joint, thus flushing out cartilage degrading enzymes. PROM also helps to stimulate mechanoreceptors on the joint capsule surface, helping to promote recovery from neurological injury.
Forelimb PROM
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Hindlimb PROM
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Continuous Passive Range of Motion (CPROM)
This motion mimics a "bicycling" movement and is slow and continuous. The exercise is meant to promote sensory awareness in the legs and maintain joint motion. The total range should not exceed the limb range of motion on land. Always cycle the leg towards the elbow joint. When you reach halfway through the "cycle", apply pressure through the bottom of the foot You are mimicking the "stance" time on land with pressure from your hand. Release the pressure when the leg reached past the hip joint. This exercise may be performed standing or lying down. It is easier to perform lying down for larger dogs.
Joint Compressions and Assisted Weightshifting
Joint compressions help maintain neurological pathways between the brain and lower extremities and promote synovial fluid circulation as external pressure is applied through the hips and shoulders. Synovial joint fluid is also circulated when compressed. This exercise is especially useful for patients who do not stand often.
Weight shifting helps preserve muscle mass, prevent the formation of pressure sores, maintain muscle memory and help promote psychological well-being. Some patients will need the assistance of several cushions/towels stacked under their abdomen to remain standing. You may also use your thigh to support them. Your pet should be assisted to stand at least 10 seconds at a time. When standing the rear legs should be slightly extended from the rear (ankles perpendicular to the ground) slightly spread apart. Scissoring the limbs will not help re-educate musculature. The front legs should also be perpendicular to the ground, slightly spread apart.
Important note: The back portion of the ankle joint should be perpendicular to the ground. Both the front and rear legs should be in a "square" position. At no time should this exercise be performed with the legs "scissored" or with the top portion of the foot touching the ground (this is called knuckling). We always want pads down!
Weight shifting helps preserve muscle mass, prevent the formation of pressure sores, maintain muscle memory and help promote psychological well-being. Some patients will need the assistance of several cushions/towels stacked under their abdomen to remain standing. You may also use your thigh to support them. Your pet should be assisted to stand at least 10 seconds at a time. When standing the rear legs should be slightly extended from the rear (ankles perpendicular to the ground) slightly spread apart. Scissoring the limbs will not help re-educate musculature. The front legs should also be perpendicular to the ground, slightly spread apart.
Important note: The back portion of the ankle joint should be perpendicular to the ground. Both the front and rear legs should be in a "square" position. At no time should this exercise be performed with the legs "scissored" or with the top portion of the foot touching the ground (this is called knuckling). We always want pads down!
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Side to Side Body Transitions
With your pet lying down (with both rear legs squarely under her body) use a treat to encourage them to reach off to the side. This will help maintain thoracic musculature and spinal flexibility.
Weight-shifting with Front Legs Elevated on a Box
Place your pets front feet on a small step (about wrist height) or ask them to step up onto a low surface to increase the amount of weight placed on the rear legs.
Use a low-calorie treat (i.e. Charlee Bears or Carrots) to encourage your pet to move their head a little bit. This will encourage them to shift body weight around eliciting muscle contractions and balancing.
Use a low-calorie treat (i.e. Charlee Bears or Carrots) to encourage your pet to move their head a little bit. This will encourage them to shift body weight around eliciting muscle contractions and balancing.
Side Stepping
With your pet standing in a square position (both front and rear legs), apply gentle even pressure at the hip and shoulder area until they lift their feet off the ground and step off to the side. Your pet should never be falling over or losing their balance at any time during this exercise. Please perform on non-slick surface.
Figure Eight's
This exercise promotes spinal bending, increased weight bearing and joint flexion (on the limbs closest to the cone), increased joint extension (the limbs opposite the cone), and limb awareness. Place two chairs or cones approximately 2 body length's apart in a line. Starting at one chair, slowly walk in a figure 8 pattern with your pet on leash OR you may use a treat for them to follow after. Always perform on a non-slick surface.
Note: To increase difficulty perform with a step over or platform!
Note: To increase difficulty perform with a step over or platform!
Step Over's
Please discourage any hopping over the obstacle. Your pet should be purposely stepping over and placing with each leg. Place at 2-4 objects in a row half a body length apart. If your pet will not step over the series of 4 objects, use 1 object at a time to initiate the step over concept. You may use sticks or broom handles for example (Get Creative!). The height can be adjusted with paint cans, small boxes, bricks, etc.
Always begin this exercise at Level 0 (ground level) unless otherwise directed. Level 1 is considered just below wrist height and Level 2 is considered just below the knee joint.
With a height increase, you may find your pet having trouble stepping over more than one (hesitating after the front legs step over), just be patient as they learn their new exercise and use 1-2 poles at the new height.
Always begin this exercise at Level 0 (ground level) unless otherwise directed. Level 1 is considered just below wrist height and Level 2 is considered just below the knee joint.
With a height increase, you may find your pet having trouble stepping over more than one (hesitating after the front legs step over), just be patient as they learn their new exercise and use 1-2 poles at the new height.
Backing Up
It is recommended to perform this with your pet on leash so they understand what you are asking them to do. Have your pet between yourself and a wall and walk backwards. If this method does not work, use a treat placed between the front legs initiating them to walk backwards. If that does not work, pull the couch or bed away from the wall, place a treat at the end (in the corner) and your pet will be forced to back up to get out.
This exercise will target the hamstring muscles, which are an important muscle for the function of the rear legs. A dog will not normally walk backwards for more than a few steps, so this exercise can cause soreness in the hamstring muscles.
This exercise will target the hamstring muscles, which are an important muscle for the function of the rear legs. A dog will not normally walk backwards for more than a few steps, so this exercise can cause soreness in the hamstring muscles.
Backing Up with a Step Over
After successfully mastery of walking backwards, you can increase the difficulty level by having your pet walk backwards while stepping over an object. This object can be a pole or small box for example.
This will further challenge your pet's joint range of motion and awareness of where their legs are. Joint range of motion must be normal before attempting this exercise.
This will further challenge your pet's joint range of motion and awareness of where their legs are. Joint range of motion must be normal before attempting this exercise.
Sit to Stand
This exercise will help promote the flexor and extensor muscles in the rear limbs and mild weight-shifting to the front legs. The rear muscles are needed to generate power while moving forward and must remain strong.
Perform sit-stand transitions at the end of the walk or after 5 minutes of warm up. Begin with asking your pet to sit on command, then you (the handler) walk forward initiating them to stand.
Variations: If needed, facilitate a square sitting posture by having your pets affected leg against a wall or couch. If your pet is already sitting squarely, but is having difficulty generating power to stand up from a sit position, have them sit on a cushion or your thigh (always on a non-slick surface). This will decrease the difficulty level and increase the success of each sit-stand.
Perform sit-stand transitions at the end of the walk or after 5 minutes of warm up. Begin with asking your pet to sit on command, then you (the handler) walk forward initiating them to stand.
Variations: If needed, facilitate a square sitting posture by having your pets affected leg against a wall or couch. If your pet is already sitting squarely, but is having difficulty generating power to stand up from a sit position, have them sit on a cushion or your thigh (always on a non-slick surface). This will decrease the difficulty level and increase the success of each sit-stand.
Sit to Stand on Incline
Yet another great way to help build muscle mass in the rear legs.
Dynamic Sit to Stand
After successful completion of several weeks of Physioroll or Yoga ball exercise, your pet may be ready for more challenging exercises. With two people (for safety reasons) encourage your pet to sit from a standing position while on the balancing ball.
Circles
With your pet on leash or following you closely under voice command, walk in wide circles to the left and the right. You may notice one direction is harder than the other for your pet. The wider the circle, the easier the exercise will be for them.
Variation: Teach your pet to turn in tight circles on command. This requires excellent body awareness, flexibility, and it is fun!
Variation: Teach your pet to turn in tight circles on command. This requires excellent body awareness, flexibility, and it is fun!
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Shake with front paws
Shaking with front paws is an excellent active range of motion exercise. It engages the biceps, triceps, and deltoid muscles in order to lift the front leg. If performed while standing, this exercise requires balancing abilities. Please have your pet use both front legs.
Cookie Stretch
Aimed at maintaining flexibility long term and preventing injury during or after exercises. With your pets side facing you, gently place one hand under the belly (to prevent them from turning too much) and with a treat, place the treat near the shoulder, elbow, front wrist, middle of the back, near the hip, the hip, knee, and ankle, then in between the front feet. Allow them to lick at the treat instead of giving it to them. This exercise may also be done while lying down.
To achieve neck extension, place your pets front feet on a surface no higher than the elbows, and ask them to reach up and lick at a treat.
To achieve neck extension, place your pets front feet on a surface no higher than the elbows, and ask them to reach up and lick at a treat.
Play Bow or Downward Dog
Beginning with your pet reaching under a chair, place a treat or favorite toy under a ledge so they have to reach under it. You will need to manually keep the rear end up with your hand while they are reaching under the chair. The idea is to train your pet to perform a half-squat on command without using a chair or ledge. Pick a command to use while you are practicing this exercise. When you think your pet is ready, remove the chair and have them perform the exercise. It is common for dogs to maintain a half-squat position for only a few seconds initially, work your way up to around a minute or so without you helping him. Begin with 5 minutes, then progress to no more than 10 minutes.
Gait Training
An excellent tool for training to improve gait patterns in dogs, but it is the most time consuming and difficult one to perform. You will need to take 8 poles and place them approximately half a body length apart in a line on a non-slick surface or grass. You will begin with your pet 15 feet from the first pole and begin to walk at an average pace through the poles. It is very important that you DO NOT watch your pet as they walk through the poles and you continue 15 feet past the first pole to imprint the "new" gait. For an older dog, expect at least 3 months for re-patterning to occur. Remember we have to reconfigure the neural pathways that have already been created over time.
Frequency: Daily to three times per week
Duration: 5 minutes minimum to 15 minutes maximum
Frequency: Daily to three times per week
Duration: 5 minutes minimum to 15 minutes maximum
Commando Crawl
Crawling under an object can encourage flexion of the front and rear legs. Some mild neck extension also occurs while performing this exercise.
The height should be adjusted so your pet is not hitting the top of their back all the time. Always begin with a height that is a little too tall when learning for the first time.
The height should be adjusted so your pet is not hitting the top of their back all the time. Always begin with a height that is a little too tall when learning for the first time.
Sit Pretty
With both rear legs squarely under the body, teach your pet to sit up (front feet off the ground) and stay as long as they can. To start out, your pet may need the assistance of a chair to put his front feet on. If your pet can sit up and maintain the position for only 2 seconds, consider it a success. This exercise will take time to learn and become successful at. Core muscles and balance are being challenged during this exercise.
Variation: Once Sit Pretty has been successfully mastered, this exercise can be taken to the next level in the following ways. Sit Pretty 1) on a cushion 2) On a Yoga ball/Dynadisc/Wobble Board 3) Stand up/sit to mimic a rear end squat
Variation: Once Sit Pretty has been successfully mastered, this exercise can be taken to the next level in the following ways. Sit Pretty 1) on a cushion 2) On a Yoga ball/Dynadisc/Wobble Board 3) Stand up/sit to mimic a rear end squat
Mattress or Varied Surface Walking
Using couch cushions (cover them with a towel to keep clean), several comforters, or foam cushion, have your pet owly walk across approximately a 3 foot distance. It is recommended to keep them on leash or one hand on them at all times for safety reasons. This exercise required balancing and joint position sense. At no time should your pet be falling over.
Stairs
Going up stairs requires power from the hind limbs. Going down stairs requires excellent joint position sense as the rear legs must reach under the body to descend and the front legs bear more weight that they normally do while on land. Your pet will be working up to a full flight of stairs over a 3-4 week period OR be using just 1-2 steps as a therapeutic strengthening exercise. **A full flight of stairs all at once may cause fatigue or overexertions if your pet has not used these muscles in a while. We never want hopping up or down the steps on three legs. For smaller dogs, a regular stair step may be too tall. Please utilize another environmental step or be creative in order to mimic this exercise. Always perform stair exercises on leash unless otherwise directed.
Dynamic Suface Core Workouts!!!
There are many variations to this exercise routine, but you can see from the dog in the video how much she is working out her entire body.
This exercise should not be performed unless you have been instructed to do so. Signifigant harm can occur to your pet if done improperly.
In general however, this exercise is performed about 5 mintues total once daily. The fitness level of your pet will determine how much stabilization you will need to provide and their endurance level.
This exercise should not be performed unless you have been instructed to do so. Signifigant harm can occur to your pet if done improperly.
In general however, this exercise is performed about 5 mintues total once daily. The fitness level of your pet will determine how much stabilization you will need to provide and their endurance level.
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