Proprioception: what is it?
By definition, the term proprioception refers to the conscious or unconscious perception of the position of the different parts of the body. One could easily compare the practice of proprioception in dogs to that of yoga or pilates in humans.
Indeed, working on proprioception makes it possible to stimulate parts of the body that we don't necessarily use on a daily basis in a natural way.
What are the advantages and benefits of proprioception in dogs?
The advantages and benefits of proprioception are numerous, here are a few significant ones:
- proprioception helps strengthen your dog's concentration (especially that of puppies and particularly active dogs),
- it also considerably strengthens the dog's muscles through targeted stretching and positioning,
- proprioception helps the dog become aware of all its limbs,
- as mentioned above, this discipline helps stimulate unsolicited areas on a daily basis,
- it helps the dog to position itself in space,
- proprioception considerably limits the risk of bone problems,
- practicing this discipline provides physical but also and above all mental stimulation: a proprioception session (15 min) is often much richer than a long walk in the forest.
What precautions should be taken?
Tip 1: it is important, even before embarking on this activity, to visit an animal osteopath so that he can validate (or not) the practice of proprioception. In addition, he can tell you which parts of your dog's body need to be worked on first and which ones need more care.
Tip 2: a little appointment with your veterinarian won't be too much either! He can target any pain that your dog does not necessarily express.
Tip 3: In addition, check your dog's claws carefully, they should not be too long to prevent this from having an impact on his balance and bone development. This is mainly the case for dogs that are still growing.
Tip 4: Of course, it is strongly advised to seek advice from a professional specializing in proprioception or canine fitness because they can tell you about gestures and postures that are beneficial for your dog.
Tip 5: then, of course, take your time and above all have fun! Observe your dog carefully and as soon as he shows signs of discomfort (licking his nose, yawning, etc.), do not hesitate to take a short break, in particular to understand where his discomfort comes from: he physical? do you have an inappropriate attitude? etc.
How to get started with the practice of proprioception?
To start the practice of proprioception (or canine fitness), you must first respect the 5 points mentioned above in order to start on a good basis.
Then, it's very likely that you have already made your dog do proprioception, without even realizing it. In fact, if you have taught him to give his paw, to show off, to bow (curtsy), to turn on himself, to step back, or even to go up and down from an obstacle, then you have already started work!
So, before embarking on more technical exercises, do not hesitate to reinforce the little tricks mentioned above and perfect them. The goal here is to go slow so your dog really becomes aware of his body in space. In fact, teach your dog to do these few tricks by taking his time, calm and concentration. Proprioception is not a speed race, quite the contrary: it is better to do an exercise slowly to work all the targeted areas rather than rushing it and risking injury.
Furthermore, even if proprioception often requires specific equipment, if you don't want to invest right away, you can practice in everyday life, especially on a walk in the forest or home with what you have on hand.
However, if you want to make this activity a regular discipline to offer your dog, it is still advisable to invest in solid equipment, provided for this purpose and therefore more secure.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of the most common materials for practicing proprioception with your dog:
- a non-slip covering (you can use a yoga mat, a piece of carpet or a foam mat),
- a balance cushion, otherwise known as a “balance disc”,
- a “traxpeanut” which is actually a big peanut-shaped balloon,
- a “fit bone” which is a bone-shaped cushion,
- “paw pods” which are small structures that you place on the ground so that your dog puts his four paws on them (this helps to work on the independence of the paws),
- a balance board,
- small obstacle bars (cavaletti) to help your dog work not only on his stride but also on the independence of his four legs.
Finally, to get off to a good start, the ideal is always to take part in a training course, supervised by a canine fitness professional so that he or she gives you all the keys to start off peacefully.
Canine fitness: for which dogs?
The advantage of this discipline is that it is non-discriminatory and concerns all dogs. From the moment you have a dog, whatever its age, breed, size or physical condition, proprioception can only do it good (only if the exercises are done well of course).
However, this activity is particularly recommended for athletic dogs, older dogs, growing puppies but also dogs who are a little too rambunctious and have difficulty concentrating.
To conclude, your dog will be much better in his paws and in his body if he knows how to use it and becomes fully aware of his position in space. Don't hesitate any longer, get started and allow your dog, through this physical and mental activity, to fully develop.