Clean Run Magazine - September 2009 - 33

Hip Flexion Stretch Stretching into flexion may also be performed in either a side-lying position or in a standing one. Again, a standing position is easier, especially when you’re at an agility event. Straddling the dog will also provide support. One hand is placed below the dog’s ischial tuberosity or butt bone. This is the hand that will stretch the hip into flexion. The other hand is placed on the opposite pelvic area. The hip is slowly and carefully pushed into a flexed position by pushing it toward the head. The knee or the stifle should be allowed to relax and will naturally bend or flex. No stress should be placed on the knee. Stretching the hip into hip flexion will stretch the hip extensors. Shoulder Extension Stretch To stretch the dog into shoulder extension, the dog may be standing, lying down, or sitting. One hand remains on the opposite shoulder (the shoulder not being stretched) while the hand performing the stretch is placed below the shoulder. The hand should be placed as close to the shoulder as possible. This is sometimes difficult because it is such a muscular area. I have found that spreading my thumb and index finger provides a good “V” if you will, to obtain a good position. The shoulder is pushed forward toward the head. This is also stretching a large group of muscles, and it may take the dog a few seconds to a few minutes to relax so that you can obtain the optimal stretch. This is stretching the powerful flexors of the shoulder, including the teres minor, the deltoid, and the teres major. Hip Extension Stretch For medium to large dogs, straddle the dog while he is standing. Small dogs may be placed on a table or you can get on the floor with the dog. One hand should be placed just below the front of the hip (the cranial portion of the hip or the portion facing the dog’s head). The hand will be near the dog’s groin. This hand will perform the stretching; slowly and gently bring the hip back toward the tail. The other hand is placed on the dog’s pelvic area for stabilization. Your legs will also help to stabilize the dog. With a small dog, the arm not stretching or your knees can be used to help in the stabilization. The dog should be able to lean on your straddled legs with the hip that’s not being stretched. The goal is to slowly stretch the leg back so the position is parallel to the ground or close to it. Please note that some dogs may not have this much flexibility. The stretch should only be brought to the point where it feels elastic, like a lightly stretched rubber band. This is the point of resistance. When we extend the hip, we are flexing the opposite muscles, the hip flexors. Shoulder Flexion Stretch To stretch the dog into shoulder flexion, the dog may be either standing or lying on his side. The hand performing the stretch is placed on the front of the shoulder, just below the scapular area. The shoulder is moved backward toward the hip and tail. The elbow is naturally kept in a bent or flexed position and should be allowed to remain so. This stretches out the muscles that perform extension movements of the shoulder, such as the biceps and the supraspinatus. Hold the stretch from 15 to 30 seconds and repeat two to three times on each side. Phase 3 The last phase involves replication of the movement patterns the dog is about to perform in the agility ring, and this is where you can begin to use the practice jump. Other phase 3 activities include light jogging and turning right and left, making tighter or smaller figure eights, and running in smaller zigzags. This phase of the warm-up should last between three and five minutes. One of the worst things we could do is take the dog out of the crate and cold stretch the dog or not stretch him at all, and then go directly to a run or other activity. 33 September 09 | Clean Run

Clean Run Magazine - September 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - September 2009