Training Dogs to Walk Upright: Potential Consequences

Have you ever seen those adorable videos of dogs wearing cute little outfits, standing on their hind legs with their front paws tucked in, and walking upright? Their endearing antics draw crowds of onlookers and elicit a chorus of "So cute, so cute!" in the comment sections. However, it's important to note that walking on two legs is incredibly harmful to a dog's body, and pet owners considering such a trend should educate themselves first.

What Are the Dangers of Dogs Walking on Two Legs?

Dogs are not built like humans; their spines are more curved, and they lack the pelvic support that humans have. This means that when a dog walks upright, its腰部, spine, and hind legs have to bear an excessive amount of weight and pressure.

Longterm upright walking can lead to several issues:

Walking on two legs can加重 a dog's hind leg burden, leading to patellar luxation, joint wear, arthritis, cartilage damage, and in severe cases, spinal deformities, leg malformations, or bow legs. Small breeds like the Teddy, Bichon Frise, and Pomeranian, which already have skeletal genetic defects, are at a higher risk of patellar luxation.

If upright walking causes spinal issues, it could affect the dog's normal排泄, leading to incontinence. In the worstcase scenario, it could result in paralysis of the legs or even the entire body.

Therefore, for the sake of your dog's health, refrain from encouraging them to walk upright for the sake of a spectacle or out of curiosity.

What to Do If Your Dog Likes to Stand Up?

Some dog breeds, especially Poodles, are quite intelligent and may try to stand up on their hind legs to reach high objects even without specific training. Over time, this can become a habit. If owners react with surprise or delight when their dogs stand up, the dogs might do it more frequently to please their owners.

Here are two suggestions to prevent this behavior:

1. Avoid Reinforcing the Behavior

When your dog stands up without prompting, don't show any unusual excitement, such as overthetop praise, treats, or petting. This could encourage the dog to repeat the action to gain your approval.

Don't reward your dog with toys or treats when it occasionally stands up, as it might associate the reward with the standing action.

Once you notice your dog attempting to walk on two legs, promptly correct it with a mild reprimand to make it clear that this is not acceptable behavior.

2. Regularly Monitor Your Dog's Health

Keep an eye on your dog's mental state and gait if it has a history of standing up or walking on two legs. If you notice any abnormal gait, limping, or toecurling, take your dog to a veterinarian for a checkup immediately.

Walking on two legs is akin to a slow poison for dogs. While the damage may not be immediately apparent, it can accumulate over time and harm your pet's body. For the wellbeing of your dog, please avoid training or encouraging them to walk upright for the sake of fun or novelty.