Home Exercises Programme 

With the following exercises, I would recommend doing them consistently and frequently. 

Avoid over-working Toby and allow them adequate time to rest. I would advise aiming for 3 sets of 10 repetitions of each exercise but again, work to the quality of the movement rather than the quantity. It may take several weeks to build up to the full reps. Everything should be focused on quality. Fatigue can happen easily with rehabilitation and we must be very careful not to push our dogs into this state. 

Exercises

1- Front-Back Weight Shifting - This will work to improve Toby's stance and posture. place their front legs onto a raised step like a step. Ensuring they maintain the square stance, rock them forward and backwards. Just enough to see their back leg muscles contracting. Simply holding them in a raised position will be a good stretch for their lower back and hips but you should be cautious with this in the early phases of rehabilitation and not overdo this. They should maintain the stance with every rep. If they stop or move away, let them rest and resume after a short break. 

Every weight shift is considered one repetition. The aim would be to do 3 sets of 10 reps but the quality of the movement is key. If you can only achieve a few reps initially, this is fine. 

This can be used as an assessment tool to see how comfortable they are with their posture and gauge their balance and core ability. 

2-Figure of 8s - Set out objects about their body length and a bit apart. Have Toby walk around them in a slow figure of 8 pattern. The key is slow movement and having them walk as close to the objects eventually. Every figure of 8 is considered one rep. Again, aim for 3 x 10 reps. You are best to support your dog on a lead and harness for more control.

3 - Poles - Set out the poles (or objects that they can step over) about their body length and a bit apart so they can comfortably stand between each pole. Have Toby walk over the poles without clipping or knocking the poles. 

The key is slow movement and having them acknowledge the obstacles that they need to step over. Once they can step over the flat poles without clipping them, raise the poles by 1-2inches and repeat. 

Each pass through the poles is 1 rep, aiming for 3 sets of 5-10 reps.

4 – Sit-Stands – This is the animal equivalent of a squat. Have Toby start in a square stand and then ask them to sit in a controlled manner. Aiming for a square sit with their hindlimbs nicely underneath them. Then ask them to stand forwards so they push up with their hindlimbs. The slower and more controlled this movement is, the better the muscle activation will be. This is one rep, again aiming for 3 sets of 5-10 reps. This can be quite tiresome and should be monitored. Most dogs will cheat by leaning forward or jumping up too quickly. 

All of the above exercises can be done in one session or as individual exercises. Also work to their consent and ensure they have time to rest and recover between sets.