Neck strengthening exercises

[tammyema]

Anyone have good neck muscle strengthening exercises besides the normal cookie stretches? TIA, Tammy

[lehughes]

I would add resistance to the cookie 'stretches' to increase muscle fibre recruitment, either by hand or using a theraband.

Hmmm... if I wanted to get creative, I would say with the dog lying on his side on an elevated surface and then slide him down so his head is off the table and he has to hold it up against gravity. Yah, sounds crazy to me too! Have I tried it? No. Maybe don't! (I was going to delete this thought, then left it in for a comedic interlude!)

Honestly, beyond that I think it's a bit of a 'crap shoot'!

Cheers,

Laurie

[tania]

The exercises i use is having the dog sit or stand. i put my hand over his head and then a treat above my hand, the dog will want to lift his head up to get it, i resist the movement for 5s..X 3 reps to start.
Then you can do it the opposite way. hand under the jaw, and treat below your had, dog will want to look down, and my hand resists...

Also with cookie stretches, i use a theraband and resist the movement to the sides..ie if he is turning to the left i resist that movement..(note: i use two widths of theraband for larger dogs)

hope that helps
Tania