A simple daily ritual for bonding and body health
This interaction is a wonderful way to deepen the bond between you and your dog. The gentle bowing, stretching, and hands-on contact help keep your dog flexible and comfortable, and it also gives you a natural opportunity to feel for any new lumps, bumps, or changes in their body every day. It’s a calm, enjoyable routine that can become a lovely way to start and end your day together—supportive for your dog’s body and soothing for both of you.
Simple Step-by-Step Plan
1. Teach “Between”
Stand with your feet apart and place a small mat or platform between them.
Lure or target your dog to step forward between your legs facing either forward or backward, which ever is more comfortable for you and your dog.
Mark (“Yes!”) and treat when all four feet are inside the space.
Add the cue “Between.”
Practice until your dog steps in happily and stands still for a few seconds.
TIP:
For space-sensitive dogs, this may take awhile so make sure to go at your dog’s pace. If your dog is fearful, avoid luring the dog into position. Instead, start with tossing treats through your legs in each direction. This helps to support that being between your legs can be fun rather than worrisome. Add a brief stop when between your legs by feeding the treat when you dog is between your legs rather than tossing it.
Stand with your feet apart and place a small mat or platform between them.
Lure or target your dog to step forward between your legs facing either forward or backward, which ever is more comfortable for you and your dog.
Mark (“Yes!”) and treat when all four feet are inside the space.
Add the cue “Between.”
Practice until your dog steps in happily and stands still for a few seconds.
2. Chest Rub Between Your Legs
With the dog either in front of you or between your legs, rub the sides of your dog’s ribcage with a hand on each side.
Your dog will naturally lower himself if he feels comfortable and the massage feels good.
Keep sessions short.
Goal: dog stays in the bow comfortably while you rub her ribs.
3. Add Belly Support + Light Rear-Leg Rubbing
Start this part while the dog is standing (not in the bow yet) so the dog gets used to it:
Gently slide one hand under your dog’s belly for light support.
Start lightly rubbing the front of one back leg, then the other.
4. Teach the Hind-Leg Stretch
When your dog is balanced and comfortable with your hand under the dog’s belly, with the other hand using smooth strokes gently rub up and down the muscled area on the front of one hind leg.
When your dog naturally moves or extends that leg, mark and continue stroking up and down the muscle.
Continue rubbing until your dog either pulls his leg away lightly (to indicate he’s done) or pushes it so far forward he becomes too unstable for you to keep balanced (usually means he’s really enjoying it). Don’t push the leg back, let the dog do the stretching on his own.
No need to add a verbal cue as the gentle touch usually activates the behavior naturally.
TIP:
Repeat on the other leg. You can do the routine in separate pieces at first with a short break between, then as your dog decides to chain it, follow his lead!
5. Add a End of Session Release Cue
Caution
Keep everything slow, calm, predictable and pleasant. This is not a race. You are building a natural bonding moment. Avoid pushing too far. Stop at any point if your dog resists or shows discomfort or fear.
Adaptations for Stability or Seated Work
If you are unstable standing, try sitting in a chair and have your dog face you. Then cue a bow and rub their chest from above. Or have your dog stand along side the chair facing forward (or back) and rub one side of the chest from that angle. Switch sides and repeat.
If bending over is an issue (causing dizziness), try raising your dog on a crate or other raised platform. Sit in front of the crate and lean forward to rub the chest or try sitting beside the crate and rub one side of the chest at a time. Cue your dog to turn to the other side.
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