Balance Walks — Dog Game #17

Back to home Home Top 20 Dog Games Balance Walks Game # 17 · Health & Fitness Balance Walks Builds core strength, paw awareness, and body coordination. What you need: Safe outdoor items like fallen logs, flat curbs, or low park benches. How to play Guide your dog to place just their front two paws onto the low surface. Reward them for holding that position steadily. Use a treat lure to encourage them to jump all four paws onto the object. Have them slowly walk across the surface before guiding them safely down. Coach's notes Surface must be wider than your dog's stance and completely stable. 3–5 second holds first; build to 20-second isometrics. Great for senior dogs — proprioception decays before strength does. Lift them down rather than letting them jump the first few sessions. If your dog loses interest Quick fixes when engagement drops mid-session. Refusing to step on? Lay the beam flat on the ground for a week before raising it. If they jump off mid-walk, shorten the beam and reward every 2 steps. Wobbling too much = the surface is too narrow. Widen it — confidence first, difficulty second. Why it works Proprioceptive drills like balance work are central to canine rehab protocols for both aging dogs and post-injury recovery. References [ 8 ] Zink, M. C., & Van Dyke, J. B. (Eds.) (2018). Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.

16 Stair Climbing # 18 Water Fetch

Which cognitive muscle is your dog's strongest? Run the same science-based tasks from Duke in your living room and get your dog's full cognitive profile. Discover your dog's profile See all 20 games