Chocolate Lab with easily injured back legs?

Question

My chocolate lab seems to hurt her back legs at the drop of a hat. Sometimes, it's because she won't walk properly on a leash, and I need to pull her. She'll plant her paws and she slides on the ground because of the pull. Other times, I just hold her back because she's going after something, and I want to stop her. but she'll pull so hard, her back paws slide along the ground and go out from under her. Next thing I know, she's limping. It seems to go away after a few hours and she's fine, but I'm afraid she's going to truly hurt herself one day.

So I guess I have 2 questions.

1) Is this "sensitive back leg" thing a Chocolate trait? or is it my dog?

2) What's the best method of leash training so I can just cut this problem off at it's source?

Answer 1

I have found that the halti leads work better then choke or prong collars. Though every dog is different its worth trying. You control the head and it makes it harder for her to pull versus her using her strong neck muscles to pull with a neck collar.

Here is a link on the halti that might help

http://www.companyofanimals.co.uk/halti....

The leg injury issue I am not sure of. It sounds like she is pulling so much she is stressing her ligiments and muscles out.

If it still poses a problem I would take her into the vet to get checked out.

Answer 2

You NEVER drag a dog on a leash. You need to put her on a halti or Gentle Leader.

Some choc labs have joint and hip problems so she need to take extra care with her.  

Answer 3

Without seeing her no one can diagnose your dog. You need to take her to a vet as what you describe is not normal. It could be any number of things.

Answer 4

Your description leads me to think its handler related. Please enroll in basic obedience class so you both learn how to work together instead of against each other.  

Answer 5

Have your vet evaluate your dog's lameness- that's not normal.  I would ask that she be evaluated for hip problems like dysplasia and for luxating patellas.  Both these problems could manifest in the way you are talking about, especially the luxating patellas, which tend to cause more of an intermittent lameness.  

As far as the leash training, get her into obedience training.  Classes aren't really expensive, and it's very helpful to have a professional critique your technique.

Answer 6

Get your Vet to check her hips.  Shouldn't hurt for a few hrs like that.  Also, try an "Easy Walk Harness" by Gentle Leader.  Here's a description of the product.  Get the black and grey one (two tone) which costs more but is well worth the extra bucks.

http://www.premier.com/View.aspx?page=do...

I use these on my dogs as it is a self restraining product.

Answer 7

Has your dog been checked for orthopedic problems of the hips and back? Hip Dysplasia and Spondylosis can cause recurring lameness of the rear assembly.