Knowing how a dog moves isn’t just for show dog people, it’s for every dog owner who cares about the comfort of their dog.

Paddling. It’s a movement term, and if you can envision how a person paddles a canoe as they’re coming at you, you’re half way to knowing how to spot paddling in a dog.

While navigating a canoe, the boat paddle swings backwards in an arc, the blade having to turn to keep the canoe from going in a circle. You would spot paddling in a dog as he’s walking towards you, as well. The elbows seem “pinched in,” the front legs swing forward as the dog takes a step, then as his body moves forward, the dog’s foot grabs the ground beneath him and the leg completes the stride with a stiff outward arc, the foot flicking outwards with each step. The legs are thrown wide of the body which rocks from side to side because the feet fall so wide apart. The dog’s pasterns and feet perform circular, exaggerated motions instead of propelling the dog forward with smooth, effortless strides.

Paddling can be caused by shoulder blades that are too far forward on the dog’s chest, loose muscles, a short upper arm, and/or a low flat wither. Sometimes the dog’s chest is too broad in comparison to what it should be and dogs like this often look as if they are ‘hanging’ between their shoulders.

Why should you as a pet owner care? Because paddling wastes energy and tires a dog out quickly. Because he’s your dog, he’ll do anything to be with you, even if it’s painful, uncomfortable or exhausting to him.  If your dog paddles, she is no less a loving companion to you, nor do you love her any less, but because you care about your dog, you shouldn’t ask him to do activities for which he’s not built, such job five miles with you, or compete in agility.

The Internet is loaded with photographs of paddling, none of which we have permission to share, but if you have one you’re willing to share, we’d happily swap Mr. Canoe man with yours.