Benefits:

• Shoulder (triceps) stretch

• Core (cranial part) stretch

Equipment:

1. None needed when first teaching

How To:

1. Start your dog in an extended stand - hocks slightly behind the dog so they’re not perpendicular and forelimbs slightly forward. Similar to a rocking horse.

   1. Starting in an extended stand helps:

      1. Keep the angle of your dog’s spine nice and gentle, not too sharp.

      2. Once your dog is in a bow, then your dog’s hocks will be perpendicular to the ground.

2. Lure your dog’s head down at a slight 45 degree angle. As soon as your dog’s forelimbs (specifically watch their elbows) start going towards the ground but their butt stays up in the air, then reward quickly. At first, do not worry about your dog’s elbows reaching all the way to the ground. Take any subtle movement, especially if they keep their butt off the ground.

3. Slowly lure farther and farther down until your dog’s elbows are on the ground. Don’t worry about duration at first. If you keep your dog in a bow too long at first, then they’re more likely to slowly lower their butt.

Troubleshooting:

1. If your dog keeps going into a down, then using a pole can help them learn not to go all the way down.

Goal:

1. Your dog should be able to start in an extended stand, then lower themselves into a bow with their forelimbs and elbows parallel to the ground and held in a straight line.

2. In the bow, their hocks should now be perpendicular to the ground.

3. There should be a gentle spine slope.

4. Reward hand should be LOW to help keep the spine slope gentle.

5. Shoulder extends caudally (behind) the point of the shoulder. The degree of extension will depend on your dog’s flexibility. Do NOT force it.