J is for January. J is for Jumping (on to/in to)
- Fiona Skinner
- Jan 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 7
Dogs jump into and out of a car, on to and off furniture, off garden walls, over fences, across a stream or over logs on a walk. They jump upwards to catch a frisbees and balls, and Agility dogs will take as many as 12 agility jumps during a course!
Do you know how all that jumping could affect your dog and their mobility and comfort?
J is for January – J is for Jumping (up/on to/over!)
We often think that a dog jumps into and out of a car, and on to and off furniture. But a dog may also jump off a garden wall, over a fence, across a stream or into a river, or over logs on a walk, or upwards to catch a frisbee or a ball.
They jump upwards to catch a frisbee or a ball from a 'launcher', or to catch water from a hose pipe during play. Agility dogs will take as many as 12 agility jumps during a course, and Flyball dogs push away in a jumping motion from a Flyball box to catch a ball at speed.
Did you know that a dog naturally has a 60/40 weight distribution, i:e sixty percent of their body weight goes through the head, neck and forelimbs and forty percent of their body weight is transferred though the lower back and hind limbs?
However, when a dog jumps forwards and lands, ONE HUNDRED per cent of their body weight is absorbed through their front limbs, shoulders and neck area. And when jumping upwards, the same percentage is transferred to their hind limbs, lower spine and pelvis when landing!
This distribution causes excessive weight through the joints, and those all important muscles, leading to repetitive strain injuries, trigger points, muscle hypertonicity, potential arthritis, and other joint conditions. If a dog is running before taking any type of jump, or drops from a height at speed, this fast motion can actually double the natural force created in the dog’s muscles.
IMPORTANT! Constant micro-trauma to muscles and joints will be a cause for long-term damage!
Signs we can look out for:
Is your dog presenting intermittent lameness following a game of ball or frisbee, or on their way home from a walk?
Is your dog starting to measure agility jumps, or avoiding taking them completely?
Is your dog unsteady on landing when jumping out of the car or off furniture?
Is your flyball dog showing lack of drive?
Some ways we can help to prevent injury:
Consider placing runners, rugs or mats close to the sofa, or bed to help to absorb some of the impact when landing on wooden, laminate, or tiled floors.
Use a ramp to assist with them getting into and out of the car.
Rather than using a ball launcher, consider throwing a ball low or waist height along the ground.
Consider the height of the agility jumps, that you are asking your dog to take.
Canine Massage Therapy can help to resolve, manage, or improve, issues such as strains, trigger points, and myofascial pain – all of which may build within the dog’s body as muscular tension from repetitive micro-trauma.
If you would like further information on the benefits of canine massage for your dog, please visit the link below to find your local Guild Therapist.
Fiona Skinner – Canine Massage Guild Therapist, Hants & Dorset
Sarah Whittaker – Canine Massage Guild Therapist, Oxfordshire
Vicky Sowerby – Canine Massage Guild Therapist, Sheffield
We often think that a dog jumps into and out of a car, and on to and off furniture. But a dog may also jump off a garden wall, over a fence, across a stream or into a river, or over logs on a walk. They jump upwards to catch a frisbee or a ball from a 'launcher', or to catch water from a hose pipe during play. Agility dogs will take as many as 12 agility jumps during a course, and Flyball dogs push away in a jumping motion from a Flyball box to catch a ball at speed.
Did you know that a dog naturally has a 60/40 weight distribution, i:e sixty percent of their body weight goes through the head, neck and forelimbs and forty percent of their body weight is transferred though the lower back and hind limbs?
However, when a dog jumps forwards and lands, ONE HUNDRED per cent of their body weight is absorbed through their front limbs, shoulders and neck area. And when jumping upwards, the same percentage is transferred to their hind limbs, lower spine and pelvis when landing!
This distribution causes excessive weight through the joints, and those all important muscles, leading to repetitive strain injuries, trigger points, muscle hypertonicity, potential arthritis, and other joint conditions. If a dog is running before taking any type of jump, or drops from a height at speed, this fast motion can actually double the natural force created in the dog’s muscles.
IMPORTANT! Constant micro-trauma to muscles and joints will be a cause for long-term damage!
Signs we can look out for:
Is your dog presenting intermittent lameness following a game of ball or frisbee, or on their way home from a walk?
Is your dog starting to measure agility jumps, or avoiding taking them completely?
Is your dog unsteady on landing when jumping out of the car or off furniture?
Is your flyball dog showing lack of drive?
Some ways we can help to prevent injury:
Consider placing runners, rugs or mats close to the sofa, or bed to help to absorb some of the impact when landing on wooden, laminate, or tiled floors.
Use a ramp to assist with them getting into and out of the car.
Rather than using a ball launcher, consider throwing a ball low or waist height along the ground.
Consider the height of the agility jumps, that you are asking your dog to take.
Canine Massage Therapy can help to resolve, manage, or improve, issues such as strains, trigger points, and myofascial pain – all of which may build within the dog’s body as muscular tension from repetitive micro-trauma.
If you would like further information on the benefits of canine massage for your dog, please visit the link below to find your local Guild Therapist.
Fiona Skinner – Canine Massage Guild Therapist, Hants & Dorset
Sarah Whittaker – Canine Massage Guild Therapist, Oxfordshire
Vicky Sowerby – Canine Massage Guild Therapist, Sheffield
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