This exercise works to stretch the groin, neck and back muscles. Use any elevated surface that the dog can comfortably place his front feet on and stretch his hind-end. If using something with slats (like a bench), place a mat to prevent the dog from getting his toes pinched. The surface should be no higher than the height of the dog’s elbows.

Lure the dog’s front feet onto the elevated surface. Keep your treat hand slightly above and forward of the dog’s nose so he must stretch up and forward to lick the treat. Make sure the dog can keep his hind feet on the ground. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds.

Link to video example

Begin with the dog in a balanced stand with all four paws evenly spaced on good footing. Stand behind the dog with one arm underneath the dog’s abdomen close to the dog’s thighs. In your other hand, hold treats and place them near your dog’s nose with his head facing forward. Place a treat on the dog’s nose and lure his nose along the side of his neck and ribs to the back of the dog’s ribs. Make sure the dog bends his body to the side. This shifts the dog’s weight to the back limb opposite the treat. Hold for 3 seconds. Work both sides of the dog. The dog’s feet should stay stationary during this movement.

Move your treat hand slowly down and to the outside of the dog’s front foot. Hold for 3 seconds. Work both sides of the dog. The dog’s feet should stay stationary during this movement.

Move your treat hand in between the dog’s front legs so he must stretch his neck down towards the lower part of his chest. Hold for 3 seconds. The dog’s feet should stay stationary during this movement.

Move your treat hand slightly above and forward of the dog’s nose so he stretches forward like the hind end extensions. Securing your arm behind his upper back legs will help the dog stretch forward without moving his feet. Hold for 3 seconds.

Link to video example

This exercise works on core strengthening and stretching the shoulders and front end. The goal is to have the dog drop his front-end, down and back, with his elbows on the ground, keeping his hind-end in a standing position.

Have treats ready to reward with in your hand. Kneel sideways at the dog’s head/shoulder area. Place your hand closest to the dog’s head near his mouth, and slowly move your hand at an angle down towards the dog’s chest in between his front legs. When the dog drops his elbows down and back towards the ground, mark that he is correct. Then move your hand up and forward so the dog comes up to standing again. Reward with the treat in your hand.

Luring the dog’s front end down and then back up isolates movement of the front-end and reduces the chance of the dog dropping his hind-end into a down position. With more repetition, increase the number of seconds the dog must keep his front end in a bow before rewarding. If the dog drops his hind-end, simply bring the dog back to standing and try again. You can also place a hand in front of the dog’s flank to encourage him to keep his hind-end raised. Build up to 3 sets of 6 reps each with 15 second rest in between sets. Try to have the dog hold each bow for 5-10 seconds.

Link to video example