I understand that participating in speed competitions with our Gordon Setters can sometimes result in injury for the dog, and that helping our dogs prevent such injury ranks very high for those engaged in trials like Agility or Flyball. There is a ton of good advice to be found on the internet and offered by your own trainers and training partners, as well as by physical therapists. I did run across this article written by Bobbie Lyons and published at Pawsitive Performance and I thought I’d share it with you. Perhaps we can start a discussion here that will generate other great resources for everyone working and training with their Gordon Setters about how they can properly condition dogs to help prevent injury.
If you’re competing or training in any of the performance events and you know of resources that will help others avoid injury would you share them with us by making a comment on this article?
Here’s the link to the article by Bobbie Lyons – Avoiding Iliopsoas Injury – Doubles, Triples and Broad Jumps – Pawsitive Performance.
A few more resources I found on the subject:
Ilopsas Strain: the hind limb lameness you may not know about
Ilopsas Strain Revisited by Peter J. Lotsikas DVM, Diplomate ACVS and Faith M. Lotsikas DVM, CCRT
Sally Gift, Mesa AZ
Gordon Setter Expert 
From our Facebook reader:
Schofield Gordons – It is important to have your Gordon in good condition not only before entering them in competition but also when preparing for these events. No different than a professional athlete who must be in good condition to enter bis game. When your Gordon is in good condition it certainly lessens the chance for injury.
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From our Facebook reader:
Dan Voss – I have had very good results with canine chiropractic and cold laser.
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From Facebook reader
Michelle Briggs – My showdogs get Bowen Theraphy & Red light treatment monthly to ensure all is good ,puppies i usually take 3 weekly from 8 weeks to about 9 months to ensure all there muscles are right whilst growing especially as there so clumsy after that all about maintenance,used Chiros in the past with success but found Bowen far better
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Years ago , we had a Vet on our Flyball team. She would always emphasize walking and stretching before and after major activity. The muscles get cold in the resting period . She also did acupuncture, Chiropractic and laser therapy. I remember her saying when laser therapy first hit the market that it drew the cells quicker to the injury for quicker rehab. It could take 10 acupuncture visits to equal 1 laser therapy session. The dog should be able to do a full stretch which means starting in a play bow and going into a forward motion dragging the back legs. If it cannot do a full stretch, something is out of line.
My dogs play hard……flipping and bouncing off each other. I always go to the chiropractor before a trial or flyball tournament to make sure my dogs are inline to prevent an injury. You would never know they were hurt. They never show signs.
I also use a vitamin called Ligaplex(Standard Process). It keeps the muscles warm.
But again, it can happen anyway it the dog slips on water or the floor.
Just trying to protect them the best I can.
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Thanks so much for all the good advice Diane! Dan Voss also mentioned that he is a believer in chiropractic and cold laser!
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