- Lameness
- Uneven gait – hopping or pacing (left and right legs moving together)
- Stiffness after a walk or training – even if it does wear off!
- Inability to settle when in bed
- The requirement of something to rest their head
- The collar becoming tighter (with no apparent weight gain)
- Change of shape (looking larger over the forelimbs than the hind limbs)
- Loss of muscle within the ‘engine’ hind legs
- A dry nose in an otherwise healthy dog
What to look for in working and performance dogs;
- Inconsistent performance
- Lack of drive
- Reluctance to perform
- Lack of concentration
- Any form of post exercise stiffness
- Measuring before a jump
- Good in training bad on the day
- Taking down jumps
- Inability to perform DC (distance control)
- Inability to hold a stance
It is not always a training issue, so make sure to get your dog checked!