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Why is My Dog Walking Sideways?

June 17, 2019 by Mary Telesz

a dog running with her owner while drifting sideways since she is still growingWhen you last took your dog out for a walk, perhaps you noticed she suddenly seemed to be running or walking sideways. Or maybe you were watching your dog play in the yard and noticed the same thing. Should you be alarmed? Should you seek medical attention? Not necessarily.

Although sometimes there are medical reasons for a dog to walk sideways (often called “crabbing” or “sidewinding”), there are other far more normal reasons for this odd behavior. Taking your dog to the vet to get checked out is always a good idea, but before you do, consider a few of the non-medical causes of sideways walking and a few possible workarounds.

Non-Medical Reasons Why Dogs Walk Sideways

It is Just the Way They Move

Sometimes dogs simply learn to walk on two legs growing up. Many learn as pups (probably from an older dog) and never grow out of it. Some breeds may even be more prone to sideways walking, especially if they have a shorter body length than other dogs. This causes their back legs and front legs to often interfere with each other. Breeds that are most commonly known for sideways walking are:

  • German Shepherds
  • Cocker Spaniels
  • Border Collies
  • Vizslas
  • Pointers
  • Boxers

Some May Still Be Growing

How old is your dog? A year, maybe two? Younger? It could very well be that their legs are still growing. Just like a teenager may be temporarily uncoordinated as their body continues to grow, so happens with puppies and young dogs.

As with breeds that have short bodies and long legs, a puppy’s growing legs will often get tangled up with each other. To avoid this, they will move their back legs to the side to avoid tripping over their own paws.

Odds are, if this is the cause of your dog’s “crabbing”, the behavior will fade as they grow into adulthood and gain control over their limbs. Sometimes, though, they don’t grow out of it and may be a “crabber” for the rest of their life.

Their Dominant Side is Taking Control

a dog walking sideways being trained by her owner to walk straightMost people are aware they have a dominant arm or leg, meaning that one side is stronger or more flexible than the other. This is also true for most dogs. What happens is while the dog is trotting or running, the dominant side pushes off the ground with a stronger force, which will move their body sideways, making it look like they are running sideways.

In truth, this is completely normal. Once they slow down, the dominant side will dial back a bit and the dog’s gait will return to normal.

Their Collar or Harness is Irritating Them

Underneath all the fuzz and fur, many dogs have super sensitive skin. If a collar or harness is causing irritation, they could be walking sideways to try to get away from it. Depending on how long this has been the issue, their skin my also show evidence of chafing or a rash developing.

If you notice that your dog is only walking sideways when they have their collar or harness on, you should inspect it and make sure it isn’t causing irritation. If it is, replace it with new gear that is easier on their skin. Also avoid using their collar or harness until their skin heals. Feel free to review our list of the best dog training collars to combat this issue.

Medical Reasons Why Dogs Walk Sideways

As we previously mentioned, sideways walking is usually nothing to worry about. But in rare cases there may be a medical issue causing your dog to have an odd gait. Some medical issues that may be the root cause of sideways walking include:

  • Structural imbalances
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Hip dysplasia (a malformation of the hip ball and socket joint)
  • Vestibular disease (commonly found in older dogs)
  • Orthopedic issues
  • Anal gland issues
  • Ear infections
  • Undetected pain (if a paw or leg is causing them pain, they may be walking sideways to avoid it)

If you suspect any of these, or just want to rule them out, please call your vet to make an appointment. Since your dog is unable to definitively tell you want is wrong, it is always a safe bet to get your dog examined than to assume nothing wrong.

Reach Out to Paw Pals Pet Sitting For More Info On Why Is My Dog Walking Sideways

Just because your dog walks sideways, it does not mean there is something wrong with her. If their behavior is sudden and you are worried, check with your vet to rule out any possible medical issues. For more information, or to inquire about professional dog walking services, contact Paw Pals Pet Sitting online today.

Filed Under: Dog Walking

Contact Paw Pals for More Information

Paw Pals specializes in professional dog walking, dog sitting, and pet sitting services. One of our reliable, adult staff members will keep your pet safe, while providing your pet the love and care they need when you are away. Contact us to learn more!

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Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
14001-C Saint Germain Drive #213
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 345-1695

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Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
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Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
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