Our exercise program for paws, wrist of the front legs and back, are a set of physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive, but also pleasant for Rottweiler.
We do not use devices specialized for dog training to which the dog is tied with a leash (treadmills)-we prefer nature, which offers ideal solutions for exercises. The most important benefits of this approach are that the Rottweiler perceives the exercises as a game and happily repeats them, creating a strong bond with the owner and the environment.
These exercises promote bone health, encourages healthy growth and development of muscle, and improves motor development of Rottweiler. Because of that the influence of appropriate exercises on the prevention of deformities in developing of Rottweilers is very important.
This is a unique guide for 3 exercises, each of which is designed for a specific muscle or group of muscles, with clearly defined movements and posture.
#1 Paws
Problem: Splayed foot
Solution : Mowed clover
Method : reflex action
Splayed foot (also known as open-foot or open-toed) is type of paw with the toes spreading. This type of paw is considered a fault when it is about Rottweilers. This condition occurs in young Rottweilers, as they go through a growth spurt. Problem becomes when the paws are weak and can’t support weight of the body well. Therefore, prevention consists in strengthening the paws with exercise.
How to induce a sufficient number of repetitions of movement that will effectively strengthen this part of the Rottweiler’s body?
By reflex action.
A reflex action, commonly known as a reflex, is an involuntary and almost instantaneous movement in response to a stimulus.
The exercise is practiced by taking the dog for a walk in meadows where clover has been cut. This surface is not unpleasant for the dog, because it belongs to the natural terrain on which animals move. But, the short thick stalks of cut clover in the dog’s paws cause a continual reflex contraction of the toes.
If you touch a surface like this with your bare feet, your arch will cramp and your toes will be pressed together. The Rottweiler’s paw works the same way. And while humans need footwear for such terrain due to the thinner skin on their feet, Rottweiler’s paws are equipped with thicker skin.
The Rottweiler’s pads (digital on toes and metacarpal in the middle) are adapted to different terrain. At the same time the pads are highly sensitive to the touch (if you’ve ever tickled your dog in a game, you know what we talking about). So, the touch is not unpleasant for the Rottweiler. For a Rottweiler, touching a cut clover is a simple automatic action that a dog’s paw does in response to something which gathers its toes.
That is why walking through fields of mown clover elicits an optimal reflex response for paw exercise, as it stimulates the reflex contraction of the toes.
Time limit: clover is cut 3-7 times a year, from mid-spring to mid-autumn.
#2 Wrist (carpus)
Problem: looseness of the carpus (wrist).
Solution: gravel
Method: full range of motion
The carpus is the wrist joint of the Rottweiler. The metacarpal bones are the bones on the forelimb of the dog that connect the “wrist” (the carpus) to the toes.
This system acts as shock absorbers during weight bearing and are easily deformed due to lack of muscular support. Carpal deformity may occur when the muscle, tendon and ligaments are not strong enough to hold the weight of your Rottweiler. Rottweiler belongs to large breeds, which is why the described problem occurs in the period of growth – in puppies and young dogs in puberty.
The influence of appropriate exercises is remarkable in the prevention of looseness of the carpus. Walking on gravel offers a solution to prevent this problem.
Gravel provides resistance that strengthens muscles in the lower part of the front legs. The wrist of front legs will be going through its full range of motion, and every time the Rottweiler sinks into the gravel, dog’s muscles have to work extra hard to push him back up and move him forward. From same reason, walking on uneven surfaces like gravel also increases sensory feedback from the ground, which will enhance Rottweiler’s balance and coordination.
#3 Back
Problem: weak back
Solution : Plowed field
Method : resistance force
A proper Rottweiler’s back is straight and strongly muscled. Any deviation from the listed items is considered an error. Degenerative changes in the spine of dogs most often occur in places of the greatest mechanical load. Because of this, prevention during the dog’s growth period is of great importance.
How to strengthen Rottweiler’s back? Is there more effective concept than well – known “run and swim”?
The plowed field is an effective natural gym for Rottweiler. Actually, it is kind of natural climber machine for the Rottweiler. The cultivated soil has a lumpy structure, consisting of a series of alternating ridges and depressions. The soil is loose and plowing increases its softness. The mechanical properties of such a surface are more demanding on the muscles than the usual terrain on which the dog moves. That is why plowed field is real resistance training, based on the principle that muscles of the body work to overcome a resistance force when they are required to do so.
In order to explain this type of exercise in detail, let’s take as an example a similar type of activity in humans. Despite the difference in the body position of a human (all weight is on two legs) and a dog (all weight is on all four legs), the other effects of the exercise can be compared to various types of climber machines in the gym. These machines simulate the movements of vertical climbing, and provide a full-body cardio workout. Work like that targets a wide range of muscle groups, making it an efficient option for resistance training. This concept creates movement that tones arms, back, hips and glutes.
As we have already said, human training is adapted to upright posture and the described exercise system belongs to the vertical type. A plowed meadow, with its shape and structure, allows the Rottweiler the same exercise system with the same goal and results. Try it and compare your walking on the plowed field with the any climber machine. What do you feel?
Time limit: plowing is done in autumn and the plowed land remains in that form until spring.
Note: It is a fact that a Rottweiler will not damage plowed land, but if it is someone else’s property, you must ask the owner for permission.
CONCLUSION
The presented set of exercises is an effective, proven, natural, safe and humane way to prevent deformities that occur in Rottweilers during the period of rapid growth.
What is most important, the Rottweiler voluntarily repeats the number of exercises that are sufficient for proper development, considering it a game. The only equipment you need is a ball or similar toy for your Rottweiler to throw at the listed surfaces.
Make life better for you and your Rottweiler!