stiffness or something

[dmoniz]

So Logan has been herding every weekend for the last 5 weeks. When he first started he didn't have a preferred direction. I have just started working with him and I notice that I do have a preferred dirtedtion (counter clockwise). At first I thought I was ruining him because he suddenly was having a hard time with "go bye" (clockwise). I had the trainer work him to make sure I wasn't messing up somehow. As it turns out he might have some right shoulder stiffness and it is uncomfortable for him to run clockwise. He shows no signs of lameness otherwise. Has anyone else dealt with something like this? Is there a supplement I could give him, or a chiropractor or any other suggestions? Last weekend was a big weekend with herding on Sat and the lake on Sun. I'm trying to keep his exersise just with walks for now, but he does still rough-house with the boxer.

[alexav]

If this were my dog, I'd make sure there were no disease or structural issues.

I'd also give a Cosequin type suppliment(Glucosamine/chondroitin) to help lubricate his joints and make sure and have him warm up and do some stretching exercises prior to working him.

It may be that he loves to herd so much he overdoes it and then kind of "takes it easy" the rest of the week. "Weekend Warrior syndrome"?
Best of luck to you.

[dmoniz]

I do have some glucosamine/chondroitin here. I hadn't been giving it to him, but maybe I will start again and see if it helps.

He definetly loves the herding, I've never seen him so "into" something, normally he is quite mellow. I have to say though that this is really bringing up his endurance for obedience as well. He used to get bored and lag after about 15 minutes and now I get a good attention heel during class for 30 minutes (other activities thrown in there). Or course I am having a hard time keeping him happy during the rest of the week!!!

[LynnS]

I second what AlexaV said......

It could just be a strained muscle but I would prob x-ray shoulders and elbows just for piece of mind.....

Glucosomine/Chond is a good supplement as is Esther C...

[Judi W]

It is quite likely that the herding caused a weakness to express itself. Regardless, I would pull him from that work at least for the time being. If he has joint disease, supplements might or might not help, however, if he does have a joint disease, the supplements will not make it go away, just help. If he does not and has done an injury he needs to rest it for a pretty decent period of time. In the first case, I would suggest that no matter how much he enjoys the work, it is not a good job for him if it causes him pain. If it is an injury, he needs a good period of rest for tissue repair.

[Judi W]

PS,
I should say that after adequate rest and repair, if you can teach him to work calmly and not like a wild man he should be OK.

[dmoniz]

Yeah, normally he does work very calm and controlled, but this time the first session of the day he was a little "wild." The sheep had also just been sheared so they were lighter than normal and it was harder for him to keep them gathered. He might have pulled something at that time. He certainly hasn't shown any weakness since (in everyday life).

[Mochasmom]

Now a thought from a horse training perspective...are dogs at all like them in the respect that horses will have a preferred or stronger lead? (stronger going one way than another)

[dmoniz]

Yeah, they normally do, but the first few times he was out de didn't show a perferred direction. Last weekend was the first time he did. That's when we noticed the dropping of the shoulder in the more uncomfortable direction.