Pilates for Pooches

by: AndreaDow
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Word Count: 480

Tuesday, November 6th

I thought I had heard it all- Pilates in the water, Pilates for golfers, YoLates and Pilates on the ball. Now, there is Pilates for dogs! Yes, you heard me correctly....dogs! Joseph Pilates and his method that focuses on core strength is not just beneficial for humans.

Dr. Carol Helfer of Canine Peak Performance Sports Medicine & Phsyical Rehabilitation Center in Portland, Oregon started to notice that competing dogs were very prone to injuries because they lacked the core strength, balance and coordination to perform the various competition tasks. Dr. Helfer observed that just a few simple exercises could really change the dog's quality of life by preventing injury and enhancing their performance. The exercises that she recommends help to improve posture along with the powerhourse (abdominal muslces, muscles of the lower back, pelvis, hips and bottom). Sound familiar, fellow Pilates students? The results of doing these core exercises are very similar to human benefits like improved balance, body awareness, coordination, flexibility, strength, decreased injury and stress.

Here are 10 of Dr. Helfer's core exercises that you can easily teach your dog.

*Maker sure to walk your dog so they are warmed up prior to doing any skill training. If your dog favors one side, make sure to work the weaker side a few more times.

1. Roll over (2-3 each side)
2. Scratch your back (when your dog rolls over for a belly rub, they will wiggle from side to side and work their core!)
3. Down dog and up dog (great for flexibility and naturally practiced after dogs come out of their crate or after sleeping)
4. Neck Stretch (use a treat to slowly direct the dog's head side to side, down towards the floor and then pull the treat back towards the hind legs so the dog is looking down & back)
5. Spin or chase your tail (use a treat to lure the standing dog to the left or right with a toy/treat) (3-4 times each side)
6. Sit up and beg. (Apparently not a good exercise for Dachshunds, overweight dogs or those with back problems. Try holding the position for 10-20 seconds)
7. High five (2-3 times with each paw)
8. Walk backward (try walking into your dog until he/she starts moving backwards- practice this in a narrow hallway or between two rows of chairs)
9. Tug of war (try letting the dog pull straight back instead of side to side- Dr. Helfer thinks the straight pull is better for core strength)
10. Crawl (call your dog to go under a low piece of furniture to practice this move)

Just like Pilates, core strengthing can be taught to dogs of any age and they will become healthier. Who says you cannot teach an old dog, or human, new tricks!

*Thanks to CJ Puotinen for writing this article in The Whole Dog Journal.

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