Have you ever seen a tired pup flop into a sit? He sinks onto one hip, and his other leg is kicked out to the side as he chills. Or maybe he appears to go almost cross-legged, with both knees splaying to the side and his toes touching. This is called a puppy sit, or sometimes a lazy, sloppy or frog sit.
Typically, splooting is neither harmful nor a cause for major concern. In fact, the position may actually help dogs relax their legs and hips while stretching other muscles throughout their body. It can also be a beneficial way to cool down, especially during warmer months.
If your pup sploots a lot, it could actually mean that their hips are healthy. Young puppies often enjoy lying in the sploot position, likely due to the greater flexibility in their hips. “It does not indicate a problem,” assures Dr.
If your adult dog is using the "puppy sit"—with its back legs still out to the side—it can be a sign of a medical condition. Also known as the "lazy sit," dogs falling into a sloppy posture can point to spinal problems, arthritis, or hip dysplasia, with vets recommending owners keep an eye out for any changes.
For example, notice how the patient in Figure 1 does not want to flex its right knee. Affected dogs often sit with the affected leg extending out to the side rather than sitting squarely, which they will do even with hip dysplasia. So noting how the dog sits is a critical part of an evaluation.
Signs of hip dysplasia in puppies include; Limping on the back legs (one or both) Stiffness. Bunny hopping.
There is no cure for hip dysplasia in dogs. However, there are many treatments that have proven to be effective in providing pain relief in older dogs and preventing further damage in puppies. The most basic treatments are also the most important: maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine.
It has taken the internet by storm, and for good reason! Splooting is the term used to describe when a dog stretches out their hind legs behind them while laying down, resulting in a pose that looks both adorable and hilarious.
Provide Dietary Supplements for Healthy Joint Development
Daily supplements can help prevent and lower the risk of hip dysplasia in dogs. Consider supplementing your dog's nutrition with vitamins and minerals. Including antioxidant vitamin C and E as well as Perna Supplements are known to strengthen a dog's joints.
Greeting Stretch
When you come home from work or school and your dog greets you with a stretch, that means that he is saying hello to you. Yes, that's right! Contrary to what most people believe, your dog didn't just wake up from a short nap or decide to do some puppy yoga.
Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!
In most cases, a dog will use a sloppy sit as a way to alleviate soreness and joint pain. Hip dysplasia, knee problems, back pain, and inflamed anal glands are a few health problems that can cause a dog to sit in weird positions.
Dogs know splooting feels good, but you might be wondering why it does. This cute doggy pose can relieve tension or pressure on their lower back and hips and stretch and help align their spine. “Splooting requires flexibility of the hip joints as well as the muscles in the hind legs,” says Dr. Whittenburg.
Your scent is familiar, so your dog knows instinctively that any place you've been must be familiar and safe, too. It's the same reason why dogs are keen to sleep in our beds, ride in our cars, and lounge on our furniture and in our laps.
The Root of the Behavior
When your dog turns his back to you, he is showing you that he's friendly and trusts you. In the animal world, turning your back to someone puts you in a vulnerable position. Your dog is trusting that you won't attack him from behind.
Some dogs, especially certain breeds like Corgis and Bulldogs, have mastered the sploot pose. These breeds use splooting as a cool-down technique as it allows for maximum belly-floor contact.
Dogs can also feel depressed for other reasons, such as the loss of another household pet or a family member or a major change in their home or living situation. If you've recently taken on a new responsibility and have less time to play with them, it's possible they could be feeling ignored.
If your dog is lying next to you, they likely don't want to be entirely left alone. But, putting their back toward you may be their way of saying they're tired and want to sleep, and that there will be plenty of time for petting and playing tomorrow.
Walking and moderate running can help strengthen the muscles around the joint. Your veterinarian may recommend that you try for two 20-minute walks each day — be sure to let your dog set the pace. As a general rule, try to avoid jumping or running for long distances.
Weakness and pain in the hind legs are the usual clinical signs. The dog appears wobbly and is reluctant to rise from a sitting or lying position. Some dogs will limp or be reluctant to climb stairs. These signs can be seen in puppies as early as a few months old but are most common in dogs one to two years of age.
Diagnosing Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
One of the first things that your veterinarian may do is manipulate your dog's hind legs to test the looseness of the joint and to check for any grinding, pain, or reduced range of motion.
There is no single cause of hip dysplasia; rather it is caused by multiple factors, some of which include genetics and nutrition. The abnormal development of the hip joint that occurs in young dogs with dysplasia leads to excessive hip joint laxity (looseness).
Odd Gait. Dogs who have hip dysplasia may sway back and forth when they walk. They may also have a bunny-hopping gait or may stand flat on their back feet.
The majority of dogs with hip dysplasia live a normal lifespan. Most do not experience any significant disability from the disease, and some do not even require treatment. Even in severe cases, options are available to help reduce pain and maintain adequate mobility.