Good Morning, I have a 3 year old Heeler who has recovered from a Teres major strain (grade 1-2) on her Right fore. About 1 1/2 years ago, she had a sesimoid fracture on her Left hind (D4). Throughout her injury, she continued to lead with her Right fore. Is it reasonable to try to retrain her to lead with her Left fore to avoid future over use re-injuries? She lives on a farm, primarily works with sheep and is currently back in training once every 7 to 10 days.
And if so, any suggestions?
Thank you!
Denise M. Testa, LVT, CCRP, CMT
Training to lead with other fore limb/Herding Dog
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DeniseLaceyBaxter
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2016 1:36 pm
Re: Training to lead with other fore limb/Herding Dog
Hi Denise,
It's a very interesting question. I don't think you can train 'handedness'. We certainly have not had success with it in people. You can improve a person's non-dominate skills, but you can't turn a lefty into a righty by forcing the issue.
For a dog such as this, I'd just look at balancing techniques. As in people, if we are heavily dominate to one side, then we can get postural adaptations, muscular adaptations, fascial adaptation, & even brain and neural adaptations.
All the best!
Laurie
It's a very interesting question. I don't think you can train 'handedness'. We certainly have not had success with it in people. You can improve a person's non-dominate skills, but you can't turn a lefty into a righty by forcing the issue.
For a dog such as this, I'd just look at balancing techniques. As in people, if we are heavily dominate to one side, then we can get postural adaptations, muscular adaptations, fascial adaptation, & even brain and neural adaptations.
All the best!
Laurie
LAURIE EDGE-HUGHES
Re: Training to lead with other fore limb/Herding Dog
Hi Denise,
just some thoughts on changing leads, as i do sheep herding myself. My own dog has a iliopsoas strain on the left(which i am working on strengthening).
He has diffculty with his away flanks (going to the left). Today i work out pushing him out sideways (to the right a few steps) first he could do a more rounded flank, and theroetically not putting some much strain on the ilio.
So my thought on your case, is instead of retraining the lead of the left fore (which would be used primarily for outruns going to the left- 'Away' command) have the owner teach the dog to push out a few steps to the right before it goes to flank to the left- 'away')
Most of the other work the dog does, is straight, unless it does alot of barn work which is a whole other story.
And also as laurie mentioned have the owner work on postural adaptations of the affected side (which is what i am doing with my own herding dog)
if it does not make sense i could draw a picture and scan it as i am working on this with my own dog.
hope this helps,
tania
just some thoughts on changing leads, as i do sheep herding myself. My own dog has a iliopsoas strain on the left(which i am working on strengthening).
He has diffculty with his away flanks (going to the left). Today i work out pushing him out sideways (to the right a few steps) first he could do a more rounded flank, and theroetically not putting some much strain on the ilio.
So my thought on your case, is instead of retraining the lead of the left fore (which would be used primarily for outruns going to the left- 'Away' command) have the owner teach the dog to push out a few steps to the right before it goes to flank to the left- 'away')
Most of the other work the dog does, is straight, unless it does alot of barn work which is a whole other story.
And also as laurie mentioned have the owner work on postural adaptations of the affected side (which is what i am doing with my own herding dog)
if it does not make sense i could draw a picture and scan it as i am working on this with my own dog.
hope this helps,
tania
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DeniseLaceyBaxter
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2016 1:36 pm
Re: Training to lead with other fore limb/Herding Dog
Good Morning!
Laurie and Tania thank you both very much for taking the time. These are good ideas! I appreciate you sharing.
Denise
Laurie and Tania thank you both very much for taking the time. These are good ideas! I appreciate you sharing.
Denise