Functional alternative exercises for the core
12 Mar 2017
By Laurie Edge-Hughes, BScPT, MAnimSt (Animal Physio.), CAFCI, CCRT
Subsequent to my blogs about ‘Don’t Sit Pretty’, I’ve been asked to provide alternatives to working the core in dogs. I broke down some of my suggestions into three different categories – Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but I did try to present a handful of functional and practical exercises. And no, there is no research into conditioning exercises for dogs. Unfortunately, there is a deplorable dearth of scientific information pertaining to sporting dogs in veterinary medicine. One must also recognize that training the ‘core’ is just one small part of overall fitness. That being said… here goes!
Core exercises for beginners
Cookies under the chest, at the front feet, at each rear foot.
High stepping (over obstacles or through deep snow, shallow water, or tall grass)
Walking with a theraband or bandage wrapped around the abdomen
Stool standing (with all feet a bit closer together than normal)
Side sit-ups
Walk the plank
All 4-Legs standing on wobbly surface(s)
3-Leg standing on a stable surface
Core exercises for intermediates
3-leg standing with abdominal tapping
3-leg standing on a wobbly surface
Tug of war, forwards and backwards (straight line)
Diagonal-leg standing on a stable surface
(under the body, progressing to away from the body, progressing to wiggling the legs)
Stand and twist
Advanced core exercises
X-leg standing with limbs stretched out on a wobbly surface
(under the body, progressing to away from the body, progressing to wiggling the legs)
Plank on a solid (elevated) surface – moving farther apart
Plank on an unstable surface – moving farther apart
Tug of war – aggressive & side to side
General activity that can build the core
Running
Trotting
Hiking (hills)
Playing Goalie
Playing soccer
Wrestling on the ground with another dog
And THAT should be enough to guide you through some functional alternative core strengthening exercises. Be sure to also address global and limb-specific strengthening, power, speed, agility, skill training, reaction times, cardiovascular training, and coordination as well! Have fun!
Cheers, Laurie