Canine exercise - Down to stand
Place your dog on a non-slip surface and encourage them to stand evenly. Then, ask them to lie down and hold this position for 5 seconds before prompting them to stand again, making sure they adopt a square stance. This exercise encourages the dog to lower itself by shifting backward, engaging the abdominal muscles and activating the hamstrings. To rise, the dog should push upward and forward with its hind limbs, rather than using the forelimbs to pull themselves up. Ideally, the paws should stay in place. I find using foot targets effective for reinforcing the position.
Why is a down to stand important?
Lie down to stand is often used in a variety of situations such as in working sheepdog trials. A dog will also naturally go into a down and then move itself up into a stand when they are getting comfortable. Often people also use a down as a settle for dogs, and if a dog is not comfortable in a down the settle may not be as effective.
For dogs in competitive sports or working roles (like service dogs), the ability to quickly and efficiently transition between lying down and standing is a useful skill that can be part of their training.
If a dog is unable to do a lie to stand in their work, they could be at risk of rehoming due to not being able to work. It may be a key indicator of pain in some dogs, therefore useful to rule out the pain aspect and then train.
In short, the "lie down to stand" movement is more than just a basic skill it's a way to keep dogs physically healthy, mentally engaged, and responsive in their training.
What are we not looking for?
When we look at a dog lay down, there can be various factors which make a 'bad down'. Here are a few of the most common ones.
Lay to one side
Dogs will lay with legs to the side rather than in a spynx lay.
Legs out behind
Some dogs may decide to lay with their hindlimbs lay flat out behind them. This could be because it is uncomfortable to lay with the hips or stifles under flexion.
Hindlimbs wide
When in a correct down, the dog should have the legs tucked neatly underneath the torso, some dogs may have them splayed out behind them
Attention should be made to making sure the down and stand is straight, not leaning to one side or offloading a limb.
Anatomy (simple): Strengthens the hip and stifle extensor muscles.
Key engagement of: quadriceps, hamstrings ,gluteals, gastrocnemius, supraspinatus, biceps and triceps
What do I need? A flat, non-slip surface and treats if your dog needs incentive
Duration? Start with 6 reps of down to stand, rest and repeat x6. If you are training the down for the first time you may need to work on this for a longer period of time.
Anatomy advanced (for those interested!)…
The movement from lying down to standing up in a dog involves a complex set of muscle groups that work together to push the body upward and forward. The dog begins by using its front limbs to push and stabilise the upper body while its hind legs gradually come underneath the body. The dog engages its core to maintain posture and prevent excessive strain on the spine during the shift. Finally, the hind legs extend to push the dog into an upright position, with the front legs stabilising the body during the transition. In essence, the movement from lying down to standing is a full-body effort, with the front limbs and core stabilising the body while the hind limbs provide the power to lift and push the body into the standing position.
Let's break it down:
1. Front Limbs (Forelegs): Shoulder Muscles (Deltoids): The shoulders help stabilise and lift the upper body as the dog pushes forward with its front legs. Triceps: As the dog pushes off from the ground, the triceps extend the elbows and straighten the front legs, assisting in the lift. Pectoral Muscles: These muscles help stabilise the chest and assist in the forward motion as the dog shifts its weight toward the front limbs.
2. Core Muscles: Abdominal Muscles (Rectus Abdominis, Obliques): These muscles help stabilise the dog's torso and maintain posture during the transition. They also assist in shifting the center of gravity forward as the dog prepares to rise. Spinal Muscles (Erector Spinae): These muscles assist in the extension of the spine as the dog lifts its chest off the ground and starts to move upward.
3. Hind Limbs (Hind Legs): Gluteals (Gluteus Maximus): The glutes are crucial for pushing the hind legs forward and upward, helping the dog shift weight toward the rear and eventually stand. Hamstrings: These muscles help bend the knee and lift the back leg toward the body as the dog brings its legs under its torso to prepare to stand. - Quadriceps: The quadriceps extend the hind legs as the dog pushes itself off the ground, using its back legs to lift the body into a standing position. Hip Flexors: These muscles help bring the legs forward and stabilise the pelvis as the dog transitions from lying down to standing.
4. Back and Spinal Muscles: Longissimus and Other Spinal Muscles: These muscles help the dog lift its body, creating an arch in the spine as it transitions from lying to standing. Latissimus Dorsi: The lats help stabilise the dog's back and assist in pulling the body upward as it rises.
5. Leg Stabilisers: Calves (Gastrocnemius and Soleus): These muscles work to stabilise the back legs as the dog lifts itself off the ground and shifts weight onto the hind limbs.
