'Sitting Pretty' to train the canine core

"My strength comes from my abdomen. It's the center of gravity and the source of real power" 
-Bruce Lee

As a chiropractor, we have developed an entire field of medicine around the spine, but why? From a functional and performance stand point, mobility and stability must start at the spine. The spine must be flexible enough to adapt to many different situations and stable enough to support the body and transfer power. And what supports the spine? The core. 

Core training is the foundation for strength, power, speed and agility training, but is often not focused on in training or addressed when issues arise in the spine or in the extremities. Core training is simply training for movement patterns and stability. So how do we achieve this in our canine athletes, our weekend dog-park warriors or our elderly senior? Simple tricks that help build core strength in a fun way. Today we cover 'Sitting-Pretty'. 

Sitting-Pretty:
The trick ‘Sit Pretty’ is one of my favorite exercises for dogs.  It is not only an adorable trick, but it has many benefits that make it a must to train.  Teaching ‘Sit Pretty’ increases your dog’s balance and body awareness.  It also builds your dog’s core muscles which protect the spine from injury during dog sports, running, playing fetch in the yard, and keeping stable through their senior years. 

Please note: If your dog has any pre-existing injuries, consult a veterinarian to determine if this trick is safe for them before beginning.

Most dogs do not have the muscles to be able to sit pretty without support at first.  It can take 2 weeks to over a month to build the muscles for some dogs.  Take it slow and don’t rush the exercise. Rushing will not build the stability necessary for spinal support.

By: Jamie Mabeus, DC, cVSMT

Below is a video tutorial that goes over all the steps of how to train this trick! Enjoy!