The Healthy Way to Stretch Your Dog: A Physical Therapy Approach

Stretch your dog to a longer and healthier life with The Healthy Way to Stretch Your Dog: A Physical Therapy Approach by Sasha Foster.

Author: Foster, Sasha

Brand: Dogwise Publishing

Edition: Illustrated

Format: Illustrated

Package Dimensions: 15x251x454

Number Of Pages: 220

Release Date: 24-02-2009

Details: Product Description

Stretch your dog to a longer and healthier life
Research on human athletes is changing what we know about stretching. For example, it is now recognized that aggressive stretching should only take place after muscles are warmed up and shortened from exertion. Authors Sasha and Ashley Foster have applied this latest research to dogs—many of whom compete in vigorous canine sporting events—so that you can learn how to safely and effectively stretch your dog to prevent injuries, maintain joint integrity, and improve you dog’s fitness whether he is an elite canine athlete or a lap dog.

Over 300 photos and diagrams demonstrate how to safely and effectively stretch each major muscle group. Teaches correct hand placement for joint stabilization and h maintain good form. Stretching routines are for large and small dogs, older dogs, and those involved in various dog sports.

Learn more about:
-How to read your dog’s body language and behavior while stretching him.
-Techniques that keep you from injuring yourself while stretching your dog.
-20 minute daily maintenance stretching routines.
-Do’s and don’ts when stretching, and when you need to consult with a vet.
-Special considerations when stretching older dogs and small or toy dogs.

What experts say about The Healthy Way to Stretch Your Dog:
There are a lot of stretching books, videos and DVDs out there. This is the first one I’ve seen that definitively explains why stretching needs to be done in a relaxed, prone position with correct stabilization in order for the stretch to be effective. The descriptions of the various stretches are clearly written and anatomically correct. The photographs accurately depict what is to be done. The photographs of the incredible handbook’s pricing while being stretched are alone worth the book’s price and should be an inspiration to anyone who wants to do canine body work. All praise to the authors for a great book!
Sue Ann Lesser, DVM, ACAC, CVSMT

The Healthy Way to Stretch Your Dog is a comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide to improving your dog’s physical health through proper stretching techniques. The book provides a wealth of information and photos to get you working with your dog right away, whether it’s for strengthening your dog’s performance in a variety of dog sports, or helping to properly maintain your senior dog’s physical health.
Mychelle Blake, editor of The APDT Chronicle of the Dog

The Healthy Way to Stretch Your Dog contains a tremendous amount of information. Knowing the science behind successful stretching will be a valuable resource for all dog owners. Understanding dog behavior related to therapeutic interventions and directing the reader to engage in proper body posture will allow users of this book to continue to stretch many dogs for many years to come!
Laurie M Edge-Hughes, BScPT, MAnimSt (Animal Physiotherapy), CAFCI, CCRT

Review

With their combined experience in human physical therapy, yoga, zoology, and training and showing dogs, sisters Sasha and Ashley Foster are the ideal teams to present a manual on stretching techniques for dogs. Despite recent interest in this topic, the Fosters realized that dog owners didn’t have much access to emerging information… Rather than simply informing readers that dogs can benefit from these routines, the authors explain how and why muscle tissue becomes vulnerable to injury when it remains in a shortened, contracted position. The authors have designed therapeutic canine stretching routines for each major muscle group. Noting that dogs vary in flexibility based on breed, age, and physical condition, they include detailed information on proper techniques to ensure safety and effectiveness and variations of their daily routine for small breeds and senior dogs. Every dog can benefit from stretching exercises, but they are especially valuable for canine athletes.