Walk, Pace, Or Canter. Best Combination?

[sandgrubber]

I have some tendon problems and there are limits to how much dog walking I can do. So I bought a recumbent tricycle. Works great. The dogs can pull it at their own natural pace, which is faster than mine. I've got breaks and steering so there's no danger of them taking off when an animal (deer are worst) crosses the path and I can slow them down. I pedal on uphill parts, and a little on the flat, so they never end out pulling very hard. They love it and get excited when I get the trike out. (One of these days I'll talk someone into taking a picture for me).

I want to keep the dogs in shape, but don't want to harm their joints. I know running on pavement can be hard on joints, but what about pacing or a canter?

Specifically: If I let the younger girl (4, radiographically has moderate dysplasia in L hip, 0:0 elbows, has never shown any sign of stiffness or limping) set the pace, she paces and the older girl (9, healthy and arthritis free, 2:1 hips, 0:0 elbows) breaks into a canter. I generally let this happen for a few hundred meters and then slow them down so that both pace. We go something like 4 km total.

Question: Would it be harmful to the old girl to let her canter more? More generally, how do the different gaits stack up for stress on the dog's legs?

p.s. the surface is mostly tarmac bike path, though the dogs can shift and run on grass if they want. A bit of limestone track as well.

[Kirislin]

I would have thought trotting was the gait dogs could do most easily for distance.

[Loving my Oldies]

I wouldn't have a clue ....... BUT, I do want a photo , please :)

[Brandiandwe]

I would imagine, based on nothing more than watching my hounds, that the pacing would be a more natural gait over a long distance than a canter or run. But this is because I watch my dogs and, given the preference, they all pace as the default gait. Even on the rare occasions I've run with them, they still pace. Though I call it their 'working trot'. :laugh:

[Dogsfevr]

pacing is a lazy gait & the dogs often end up sore,i don't allow pacing ,when i bike the do so in correct gait .

My dogs always bike straight into a natural gait & pick the speed that suits them ,known have tried to run .

[blakkjackal]

I won't let my dog pace because it is not a natural movement for a dog, it will quickly lead to soreness and can also cause muscle knots. Trotting on hard surfaces is less hard on the joints than cantering, but I'd still be a bit hesitant about letting them run on concrete for long distances. Apart from that it sounds great though, I wish I could do that!

[Brandiandwe]

Are we all talking about the same thing? I called trotting pacing because I've never seen my hounds truly pace.

[Kirislin]

Pacing is when they move the legs on the same side with each stride, and trotting is when they move diagonally, so front left, back right. I sometimes see puppies pace by themselves, I dont know how I would make a dog do it though, trotting is what I've seen them mostly do by choice.

[blakkjackal]

This video will show the difference and also tells about why it is bad to let a dog pace.

My dog will pace when walked too slowly, not slow enough for steady walking but not fast enough for trotting. I try to speed up whenever I notice the dog changing from trot to pace.

[Brandiandwe]

Right. So it's the same as horses. That being the case, my hounds look happiest in a working trot. They don't tend to walk, and cantering is less fun than an all out sprint.

[Tassie]

Yes, totally agree with showdog. Pacing is very lazy. Trotting is the maintenance gait I'd think - speed will vary according to the dog. My BC boy will pace if I'm not walking fast enough - I almost have to power walk to break him into a trotting beat.

ET - the dogs are usually trotting - that's what's desirable for those sort of distances.

Having said that, some variation in pace is good too, although I wouldn't drop them back to pacing.

[Salukifan]

Yes, totally agree with showdog. Pacing is very lazy. Trotting is the maintenance gait I'd think - speed will vary according to the dog. My BC boy will pace if I'm not walking fast enough - I almost have to power walk to break him into a trotting beat.

ET - the dogs are usually trotting - that's what's desirable for those sort of distances.

Having said that, some variation in pace is good too, although I wouldn't drop them back to pacing.

I dont' find "laziness" a particularly useful concept in explaining why dogs may pace.

In essence they'll do it if they can't trot comfortably. The most common reason is a lack of balance between reach and drive at that speed. The dog can either crab to avoid front and hind feet hitting or switch it up and pace. It can also by symptomatic of other structural issues.

For bike work, I'd use working trot as the standard gait with perhaps a bit of uphill cantering for cardio

Edited November 14, 2013 by Haredown Whippets

[Kirislin]

I was told by a knowledgable horseman that horses will pace when they're tired. Not sure if the same would apply to dogs.

[Tassie]

Yes, "lazy" was probably a "lazy" way of expressing it :)

[Salukifan]

I was told by a knowledgable horseman that horses will pace when they're tired. Not sure if the same would apply to dogs.

In all my years of horse riding and ownership, the only horse I ever saw pace was my friend's off the track Standardbred, the day she long reined him. At all other times that horse walked or trotted.

Edited November 14, 2013 by Haredown Whippets

[Jumabaar]

The trot exercise each leg completely so often dogs will pace when they are sore or physically can not trot correctly. Because it works every leg it is also the best way to keep them fit and balanced. That being said some walking and cantering are good too. Just remember to warm up and cool down to prevent injury.

[Kirislin]

I was told by a knowledgable horseman that horses will pace when they're tired. Not sure if the same would apply to dogs.

In all my years of horse riding and ownership, the only horse I ever saw pace was my friend's off the track Standardbred, the day she long reined him. At all other times that horse walked or trotted.

Actually I am mistaken, I meant to say that he said tired horses will amble, not pace, similar but not the same.

[Salukifan]

I was told by a knowledgable horseman that horses will pace when they're tired. Not sure if the same would apply to dogs.

In all my years of horse riding and ownership, the only horse I ever saw pace was my friend's off the track Standardbred, the day she long reined him. At all other times that horse walked or trotted.

Actually I am mistaken, I meant to say that he said tired horses will amble, not pace, similar but not the same.

Ambling is 4 beat I think?

[Kirislin]

Not sure, I think so, but I think it's lovely to ride an ambling horse, very smooth and fast.

Edited November 14, 2013 by Kirislin

[sandgrubber]

Thanks everyone. Having looked at that video and done a little reading, my dogs are usually trotting, not pacing. Ie, same gait as you use in the show ring. The problem is that the old girl goes into a canter well before the young girl does so.

Found a good canter vs. gallop clip

I'm pretty sure she canters rather than gallops.

Btw. The PennHip crew have a good description of gait as related to diagnostics.

http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/saortho/chapter_91/91mast.htm

From what they say, a dog that paces is probably doing so for a reason, and it would be better to address the problem rather than trying to change the gait.

I can't seem to find anything about the whys and wherefores of the speed at which a dog shifts from trot to canter or gallop. Guess it doesn't matter that the old girl goes to a canter while the younger girl is still trotting. Maybe it has something to do with being older and a little less flexible?

I'll try to get some photos.