Stair Climbing — Dog Game #16

Back to home Home Top 20 Dog Games Stair Climbing Game # 16 · Health & Fitness Stair Climbing Increases hind-leg strength, stability, and cardiovascular endurance. What you need: A carpeted staircase (avoid slippery hardwood steps). How to play Start at the bottom of the stairs with your dog on a leash. Walk up 3 to 4 steps together at a very calm, controlled pace. Reward them at the top with a treat for steady movement. Gradually increase to a full flight, keeping it slow to protect joints. Coach's notes Uphill only for conditioning — downhill loads the shoulders unnecessarily. Skip stair work for puppies under 12 months and dogs with hip/elbow dysplasia. Two flights up, ride the elevator down. 3 sets, 3 times a week is a real conditioning dose. If your dog loses interest Quick fixes when engagement drops mid-session. Hesitant on stairs? Sit on the third step and lure them up one step at a time with treats. If they rush down, put your hand on their chest to slow the pace — bad landings cause injury. Never force senior dogs up stairs for exercise — swap in a sloped ramp or skip this game entirely. Why it works Zink identifies controlled stair climbing as one of the highest-yield home exercises for building hind-limb propulsive strength. References [ 8 ] Zink, M. C., & Van Dyke, J. B. (Eds.) (2018). Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.

15 Toy Sorting # 17 Balance Walks

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