To get back up on top of the platform will then place strain on the pelvis and knee of the leg that remains on the platform due to the excessive angle. Your dog would be working muscle that is not yet strong enough to raise the body back up onto the platform with one leg. <\/p>\n
The risk for injury is much greater if you are progressing too fast and your dog has not achieved the required strength in the muscles and tendons around the joints to support the movement.<\/p>\n
When the rear elevated platform istoo high<\/span><\/strong> the dog will tilt their pelvis as described above and muscles required to work in the back legs, do not engage correctly to control the lowering or lifting of the leg that is supposed to target the ground. The rear foot target should be no higher than the hock at maximum progression stage.<\/strong><\/p>\n Movement of the FRONT feet should be minimal or stationary<\/span>.<\/strong> Too much movement of the front feet is an indicator that the rear platform is too high (too difficult) OR that the front foot elevated platform is too high, placing too much weight onto the back legs and the dog needs to compensate and weight shift by moving the front feet.<\/p>\n If your dog is unable to perform the exercises slowly and in a controlled manner – slow control of lowering and lifting one leg <\/span>onto the rear platform – then:<\/strong><\/p>\n This is a very targeted and strenuous exercise for the back legs when executed correctly as it not only asks for loads of strength and control BUT ALSO loads of concentration which will show up as mental fatigue. Please look for signs of fatigue such as:<\/p>\n This exercise is one that my own dogs are working on, and these are their first video sessions.<\/p>\n This was his first session. We are starting on low a low platform at the back – I could also make it easier with a lower front platform.<\/p>\n We only did 3 per side. Notice how tentative he is lowering his left rear leg (his injury is on the right side). One he did it once and got his confidence and the next two went really well!<\/p>\n[Note: the video gives an inverse of what is left and right – in this video I am standing with my right side to the wall]\n Looking at this video, I am pleased that we did not push more than the 3 each side because it was really hot on this day which makes exercises even more difficult than they should be, but also that he sat in between me getting a treat refill (possible mental fatigue from this day’s sessions)<\/p>\n Here Attica is doing split-squats on a super-hot day (38C \/ 100,4F) – notice how quickly she gets tired having to work in such hot weather! <\/p>\n Please take weather into account when you work your dogs for sport training or for conditioning work. Strength work, in particular, is exceptionally more difficult in very warm or humid conditions.<\/p>\n This is Attica’s first session doing split squats. You will see her obvious signs of fatigue towards the end. I notice that going to her left she “tires” more quickly (right leg working more) than going to the right (left leg working more). This may be linked to competitive obedience and the weight shift that occurs across the body or it may be that, just like humans, dogs find doing to one side easier than the other (my money is on the obedience work though!)<\/p>\n Note to self<\/strong>: monitor and work the right leg a little extra.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-8980","tva_lesson","type-tva_lesson","status-publish","hentry","tva_courses-bk-9-foundational-strength-program","post-wrapper","thrv_wrapper"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebiokinetick9.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Feedback-Position-Photos-Collection-split-Squat.jpg\" "\\"Feedback")
<\/span><\/p>\nProgression<\/h3>\n
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Videos of the Exercises<\/h3>\n
Video 1: Artemis – Split-Squat <\/h4>\n
Video 2 – Attica Split Squats – super hot day!<\/h4>\n
Video 3: Attica – Split-Squats<\/h4>\n