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Hi Laurie,

Sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if I could pick your brain for a bit. I am seeing a 5 week old female Chihuahua. She was born with no forelimbs. Only the shoulder blades are present. All the wheelchair companies I know declined making her a wheelchair due to age and size despite funds not being an issue. Luckily Orthopets came through and will try to make her a custom device to walk in.

I was thinking about teaching her to walk upright in the meantime for core strength and a way to move around when not in her device. I thought we could start working on core exercises such as side crunches, sit pretty, beg, and dance. However, Eddie's Wheels advised the owners not to teach her to walk upright given secondary compensatory issues. What's are your thoughts on teaching a small puppy to walk upright someday? Should I or should we wait for her Hoppyvest device and keep her in the horizontal plane? Furthermore, any other ideas, thoughts, or exercises on how to manage such as case. 

Always appreciate of your help so thank you.

DW

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Hi D,

This is a very interesting question (and a good one for a blog).

Glad to hear that Orthopets is willing to give this a go!  Because for 'easier' movement and greater speeds, I think a wheelchair device would allow more freedom!

But for 'everyday' movement and ability to get around, I think that teaching some upright walking would be an okay idea.

Now, to be honest, I'm not a huge fan of teaching a 'beg to stand' or ' upright squats'.  I think they're unnecessary, and I'm not sure they're the best exercise for core conditioning or strengthening.

However, in THIS case, I'd say it would be better than pushing the chest along the floor, or 'bopping' the chest along the ground in order to move.  I'd teach it slowly.  Work on strengthening the rear legs (and the Hoppyvest device might be great for that).

As for exercises:  

I'd start with sit pretty: supported to begin with; maybe progress to doing it up against a wall for support.  When that is steady, then ask for the stand from that position.

Maybe even supported 2-leg walking on a land treadmill... just to get some patterning before trying it on her own.  Then one could also try side stepping and backwards walking too (all supported).

When you get the hoppyvest / cart, then try tug of war and up hill walking to build the rear legs.

I honestly think it will come quickly and easily for a chihuahua... I just think that some supported treadmill time (over 2 - 3 months) could help to prevent some of the 2-leg compensations before encouraging the dog to take much in the way of steps on her own.

I'd love to plant a seed and see if you might take some videos of this case along the way.  I think others would like to see it (and I would too!!).

Hope these ideas help!

Cheers,

Laurie