Hi everyone!

Yes you are right, Im very excited! I will do videos no problem! For now, this is the list of exercises for starter, we will add, switch or whatever depending on progress.

Home Exercise Plan for Novak

December 22, 2016

* Cookie stretches – With Novak in standing position, hold a cookie in front of him and slowly bring the cookie next to each shoulder, between the front legs and at each hip. Hold him in the stretched position for 10 seconds, rest and repeat 1-3 times. Perform once daily.

*Tug of War – Using a tug toy, hold it at Novak’s head height (not too high so that he is overextending his neck) and play tug of war with him. Try to make sure that he backs up in a straight fashion. Allow him to back up then if possible pull towards you Tug for 30sec-1min

* Play Bow – Give Novak the command to lie down but when close to the ground, have your hands guide from under the belly to raise his hind end back up. Hold a treat on ground in front of Novak to keep front down while trying to get the hind legs to lift up and down to a lying position.

Repeat 3-5 reps 1-3 times

* Side Walking – Stand on Novak`s side, step into his side causing him to step sideways, thus bearing weight on the leg. It helps to keep a leash and to have a second one around his abdomen so that he does not walk away. Repeat on each side. Have him walk 4 feet for 3-5 reps

*Stairs - Controlled walking in the stairs

* Backwards walking - Stand in front of Novak easily walk into him causing him to walk backwards while saying “back”. Have him walk 3 feet for 3-5 reps

* Sit Squarely – Sit Novak with leg close to a wall. Using a treat or toy, ask him to sit, slowly. Reward with the treat or some form of praise. Repeat 5-10 times every other day.

*Uneven surfaces – Fill an air mattress partially so that it is not firm and have Novak walk over it. The instability of the mattress will force him to bear weight on the limb. You can also recreate this by placing pillows under a comforter and having him walk over the bed like this. Once daily for 1-2 minutes Increasing the time on it, daily by one minute unless fatigue is observed

* Zeus Alternative – Start with Novak on his side, make sure his limb is down. While holding his front leg on his upside, ask him to get up and don’t allow him to use that front leg. Repeat 1-2 reps

* – Low Level Wheel Barrow – Make sure that Novak is on a steady surface and pick up his hind leg (watch your back!) Have him step forward 3 feet. Repeat 3-5 reps.

*Sit pretty - Ask Novak to sit then while supporting his front limbs have him sit up so that he is `ground hog position` 1-3 reps

*Push up`s - Ask Novak to sit -stand-sit while on a solid surface as well as sit-down-stand repeat 5-7 times

*Peanut roll - with Novak`s front feet on the ball and in standing position do push up`s 3-5 reps

So, I started the exercises and its doing great, Novak is happy doing stuff with me and having treats! I feel that he could do more, that, its too easy for him, but I will follow to the letter the instructions...thats me, always thinking that Novak can do more LOLOL So I have to choose some exercises one day, the other day off and then choose another set of exercices, day off, etc... I can do the stretching everyday. I hope its enough to make a real change, will see with time... I have 2 days off, I will have time to make some videos for you guys!