How does your dog run? Clues to hip dysplasia in gait?

[TwoDogs]

Alot of pups sit in a splayed "frog" sit. It's because they don't have strength in their core muscles yet. Most pups grow out of it as they mature and develop strength in their different muscle areas. You can do exercises to increase core strength. I do some of these with my dogs to build strength for flyball and agility.

http://www.cleanrun.com/images/features/StrengtheningExercisesForAgility1.pdf
http://www.cleanrun.com/images/features/StrengtheningExercisesForAgility2.pdf

I also have my dogs sit on an inflatable balance cusion. It makes for a nice tight, tucked sit and a dog that doesn't adjust its position during that 3 minute obedience sit stay.

 

[XTNa]

OK, that doesn't sound so much like HD The "bunny hop", when you're talking about a dog with hip displaysia, is a stiff hop with their hind legs kept right under their body so as to avoid fully extending their back legs. From your description of Atlas's "hop" it sounds like he's just being a goofball (and, I know exactly what you're talking about -- Caney does that sometimes too :p).

Oh, that's a relief! Thanks for posting. Also, it's hilarious that you knew what I meant from my long-winded description because your Caney does it too! :D

 

[levic]

Mixed feelings

When I read all the posts and saw the video I was worried because Heidi walks a bit like that and she sits funny and do a funny run, but after the last post, it also seems that she is being silly, she does not seem to be in pain at all and her energy is very good and loves to run and jump around. I will be taking her into to spay at 7 months (vet recommendation) so to be safe I will ask if she can be checked out for HD as well.