Our canine friends have lots of different types of nerve endings in their paws which can pick up on different pressures & frequencies. By stimulating the paws with as many different types of stimulant possible, we can help to maintain paw & limb awareness, which in turn improves the way your dog interacts with different surfaces.
If your dog is able to walk independently, this exercise will help to prevent injury.
If your dog is not able to walk independently, this exercise is a fantastic way of stimulating nerve regeneration for the return of function.
Types of stimulation include:
- squeezing the digits & pads – long holds & pulsing
- squeezing the whole paw – long holds & pulsing
- electric toothbrush
- tapping the top & bottom of paws
- brushing the paw pads up against different surfaces (demos from shops work really well!)
- tickling between the toes
- hairdryer (on cold setting only!)
- “flicking” the skin with a forefinger
- alternating hot & cold therapies
Try to use each stimulus for max 20 seconds before moving to another. Repeat for approx. 5 methods or so.