4A 4B © CLEAN RUN 5A At times, the dog will be increasing its speed (acceleration) where more energy is being produced by the rear legs. At other times the dog will be slowing down (deceleration) where the front end is absorbing energy. Static velocity is where the dogs speed does not change © MARY FISH ARANGO 5B should be considered in any conditioning and training program. Normal Movements of Canine Locomotion There are five basic normal movements of canine locomotion: 1. Movement initiation 2. Straight run (acceleration, static velocity, and deceleration) 3. Turn 4. Movement termination 5. Jumping Each of these movements disburses or absorbs forces different in April 17 | Clean Run relation to the body. All activities utilize at least four of the five normal movements. Movement Initiation When the dog initiates movement (starts moving) the rear legs have the most influence. The paravertebral muscles also act to raise the body up and forward. There is minimal action placed on the front end. See Figure 4. Straight Run While a dog is running in a straight line the rear legs act to propel the dog forward. The back, or paravertebral muscles, acts to lift the front end up in the air. Neither of these two actions is less important. The rear legs are needed for forward motion. If the paravertebral muscles do not lift up the front end of the body, the front end will be jammed into the ground.The front legs of the dog act to absorb the forces produced by the rear of the dog. At times, the dog will be increasing its speed (acceleration) where more energy is being produced by the rear legs. At other times the dog will be slowing down (deceleration) where the front end is absorbing energy. Static velocity is where the dogs speed does not change. See Figure 5. 57