[gemy]

Part two

Nutritional Supplements: Glucosamine and Chondrotin are two supplements that are thought to support bone health. Cosequin is one trade name, Biologic Vet, Dr.Maggies etc. This is quite a popular supplement, and can be found in many pet food stores. There are some threads on here about the different supplements used by other Yorkie owners. I think a search should pull up those threads, and you'll have lots of happy reading.

Exercises:

Standing: Sounds crazy but standing still in correct alignment actually does strengthen the leg muscles. Here what I would suggest is to place her either up on the grooming table or the kitchen table with her feet on a non slip surface.

Getting Ready for the Exercise
Have tiny treats (lots) available to you. You can use small cheerios, or teeny pieces of carrots, or peas, or some mixture thereof.
Have a small box of kleenex handy, it's height should be such that it easily goes underneath her body, and will be placed just ahead of her back paws.
Have another small box of kleenex handy which will eventually be placed just to the outside of the front paw she loves to turn out. Or you could use some pieces of wood that are 2-3 inches high instead.
The purpose of these tools is to discourage the movement of her feet from the alignment you will place them in.

Now you are ready to begin: 1. Lift your pup up in the hold I described earlier.
2. Place your pup on the table 3. Adjust back paws so that the hock joint stands at 90 degrees. This means the toes are behind the hips. Place the feet about hip width apart.
4. Now for the more difficult front leg adjustment. You adjust the paw placement by adjusting at the shoulder joint, and not at the ankle. Gently tip your dog sideways so that the paw to be adjusted is non weight bearing, with two fingers or so, place fingers at the top of the shoulder just where it adjoins the chest. Now turn the shoulder/leg assembly inwards. Place paw down. Look to see if the paw is now turned forward. Repeat as needed. Note: for the first month or so, you might not get a perfectly front alignment.

Slip box of kleenex just ahead of back paws, and other box just to the outside of the front paw you adjusted.

Give the commands Stand and Stay. Treat in the beginning every few seconds. You can keep your hands on her, and if she moves say no, adjust her back to the good stance.

Initially work for 30 seconds at a time. After finishing your exercise have a good romp with your girl.

Eventually build up so that your pup will stand stay for 5 minutes.

Like any exercise/trick, this takes patience and perserverance on your part.


BATHTUB WALKING:

Preparation: Treats a few Can be combined with your weekly baths. Or if she loves toy a water okay toy as a reward.

Purchase some plastic mats for the tub, that are ribbed or nubbed. Remember what I said about walking on gravel; how it strengthens the paw/leg assembly? Run these mats the length of your tub.

Optional: Add epsom salts to the bath water.

Have plastic lead and harness (it will get wet), this will be for the early days, when you are training just what you want her to do in the water.

The water in the tub should come up above the elbow but be very clear of the belly or shoulder. Here the water is going to act as a resistance to the forward motion of the legs, with the ribbed or nubbed mats will help to strengthen her legs/paws.

Leash up your pup, place at one end of the tub, and give a command like - Let's go, or Let's walk, etc. walk with her to the end. Turn around and walk back.

Reward for obedience, if she tries to climb out of tub, get some plastic trays or cutting boards and place high up on the side of the bath tub.

Try for 5 minutes timing.

Then give your baby a bath and lots of massage and hugs.

Such a good girl she is