Gait analysis

What is gait analysis?

Gait analysis is a way to evaluate how the dog moves. We assess their posture, coordination, weight bearing during their natural movement. We record these movements videos, and evaluate the dynamics of their movement patterns. Close observation of a dog’s movement can provide information about how and why a dog moves a certain way, and understand inefficient and/or abnormal movement patterns. Gait analysis can also be extremely helpful in identifying potential issue(s) of concern (e.g., off loading of one leg, rotation of the hips, head shifting), such that dog guardians can be proactive in seeking additional veterinarian and/or specialized care for their dogs.

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General guidelines:

  1. Dog should be naked or wearing a flat collar. Please remove any other accessories (e.g., bandana, harness, gentle leader)

  2. If in a safe environment, dog should be off leash. If dog needs to be on leash, a simple 6 feet leash can be used. Please do not use slip leash or flexi-leash for the video.

  3. Ideally, we would like to video the dog at their natural gait. This means the dog should be focusing forward, not heeling, pulling and/or looking up at their guardian. It is not necessary to use cues to keep the dog at your side. The dog can be moving ahead, behind, or next to the guardian.

  4. I would recommend walking the dog back and forth a few times in order to get them in the mindset that this is not a typical “training session.” This is typically helpful for dogs who are used to heeling and/or looking up for attention.

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Location:

  1. The best location for a gait analysis video is a flat, non-slippery surface. Possible locations include, indoor area with carpets or rubber mats, grass, dirt, asphalt, etc. Please avoid areas that could potentially impact the dog’s gait, such as wet grass, snow/ice, deep sand, and/or unstable surfaces.

  2. A good contrast between the dog and the background is ideal. If you have a black dog, it would be better to film against a lighter background. If you have a dog with multi-colored spots, it would be better to film against a solid background. However, I understand that this is not often feasible. When possible, position the phone/camera such that the dog is facing the light so that their shadow falls further away from the camera would be helpful.

  3. Please make sure to film in good lighting. For example, outdoors during the day, or indoors with lights turned on. This is particularly helpful when filming a dark-colored dog.

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Videos:

  1. Please take the video at the same level as the dog as much as possible. If you use a tripod, please align the camera/phone with the dog’s lower torso. If someone else is taking a video for you, they may have to squat and/or crouch down to get at the angle needed.

  2. Please record the video using the “slow motion” mode. This will ensure that the video is recoded at a higher frame per second (fps), allowing clearer images when viewed at a slow speed. If “slow motion” mode is not available, it is okay to record the video at normal speed; the only downside is that the video may appear a little “choppy” when slowed down for analysis.

  3. If possible, please aim for at least 7-8 strides in each clip.

Gait types and views:

  1. Walking (both sides)

  2. Walking (front)

  3. Walking (back)

  4. Trotting (both sides)

  5. Trotting (front)

  6. Trotting (back)

  7. Extended trot (i.e., faster trot, but not a run; both sides)

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Video editing:

  1. Please remove irrelevant portions of the video from each clip.

  2. Please edit each clip such to about 30s long. For each clip, please include a normal speed and a slow motion speed (of the same clip). For instance (walking left side normal speed -> walking left side slow motion speed).

  3. Ideally, please combine all the clips (10 clips at most) together as one single video. If this is not possible, please combine the clips of walking (4 clips) into one, and those of trotting (6 clips) into another.

  4. Please upload the video to YouTube or Vimeo (you will have to create an account if you do not already have one) and send me the link to your video. If you would like the video to remain private, please set the to ``unlisted;’’ this way, only people with the link will be able to locate your video.

 

*Please note that Siny Tsang is not a veterinarian professional and/or specialist; she is not qualified to make diagnosis and/or offer recommendations for treatment plans. Her observations based on the gait analysis videos are her subjective observations and should not be considered as definitive diagnosis. Concerns identified in gait analysis videos will be noted in her gait analysis report, and recommendations to seek professional veterinarian and/or specialized care will be made.