04/08/2025
Great informative post from my friend and colleague at Know Your Dog - Behaviour & Training with Sally Lewis
"𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐩": 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 "𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠"
Have you seen your small breed dog doing a little hop with a back leg? It might look like a quick, bouncy skip your small dog does, a movement so brief it's almost like a little hop. It's often so quick that the leg is back on the ground and they're trotting along as if nothing happened. Many refer to this as the "Terrier Hop," a cute and quirky habit of small, active breeds.
This is often dismissed too easily and can be a sign of other things going on. This hop is often a sign of patella luxation.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐋𝐮𝐱𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?
Patella luxation means the kneecap (patella) slips out of its normal groove on the thigh bone. It can slip to the inside or outside of the leg. When this happens, the dog holds their leg up for a moment to pop the kneecap back into place, which is the "hop" or "skip" you see.
𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧 & 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐈𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐫...
Pain isn't always a dramatic limp, or a reluctance to jump, walk, or play. Dogs are naturally stoic and masters at hiding discomfort. Instead of showing obvious signs of injury, a dog experiencing chronic pain will often adapt their gait, posture, and behaviour to cope. They may still play and go for walks, but they do it differently, and it can be very subtle.
As your dog's family, you are a crucial part of the diagnostic process. Pay close attention to subtle behavioural changes, such as:
Decreased tolerance.
Increased anxiety or restlessness.
Slowing down on walks or a reluctance to go as far as they used to.
A change in posture when standing or lying down.
Subtle changes in how they use their body - they may adapt their gait or compensate in other areas.
These small changes, often dismissed as a dog "just getting old," can be some of the most reliable indicators of underlying physical discomfort.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐩
Patella luxation is a progressive condition that can lead to chronic pain and mobility issues if left unaddressed over a long period.
Arthritis: Each time the kneecap slips out of its groove, it causes friction and damage to the cartilage and bone. Over months and years, this constant wear and tear leads to the development of arthritis, a condition that cannot be reversed. This can result in discomfort for your dog.
Joint damage: With every luxation, the groove in the thigh bone can become shallower. This means the kneecap will slip out more frequently and more easily over time, making the joint increasingly unstable. Working with a physio to ensure you are keeping muscles around the joint strong can be helpful.
Risk of further injury: Dogs with luxating patellas are at a much higher risk of suffering a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). The instability from the luxating kneecap puts strain on the other structures in the knee. CCL tears are painful injuries that can happen suddenly, and require surgery to fix.
Quality of life: A dog living with unmanaged patella luxation can experience in impact to their quality of life and wellbeing. The little hop can gradually turn into a persistent limp and a life of reduced mobility and comfort.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐭
The "Terrier Hop" and the behavioural changes are often intermittent issues, which means they may not happen during the 5-10 minutes a vet is examining the dog. Dogs are also known to present differently in the vets, due to the stressful environment. This is why it's so important for you, as their guardian, to be prepared. My recommendations are:
Take videos: A video of your dog walking with the hop, or showing signs of restlessness or hesitation, is really helpful. A vet can see exactly what's happening and will take your concerns more seriously.
Use the correct terminology: Instead of saying "my dog does a terrier hop," say, "my dog is doing a quick skip or hop with their back leg. I would like you to specifically check them for patella issues".
Report all changes: Be sure to tell the vet about all the behavioural changes you've observed, no matter how small they seem. A vet should take these changes seriously and factor them into their assessment. It can be tricky to remember everything you wanted to say sometimes, so keeping a log to take with you can be useful.
Ask for an X-ray or referral: If the vet says they can't feel anything, it's perfectly acceptable to ask for an X-ray or a referral to a veterinary orthopedist who specialises in these conditions. You could also ask for a referral to a knowledgable canine physiotherapist who has experience supporting dogs with joint issues.
Don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion: if you feel in your gut that something isn't right, you are well within your rights to ask for a second opinion. You pay for your veterinary care and should be happy with the service you are receiving.
Early intervention can prevent a lifetime of discomfort for your companion, and allow you to provide them with relief if needed, or adapt their exercise regime. Being a vigilant guardian and speaking up on their behalf can make all the difference.
If you aren't sure about a way that your dog is moving, and want a simple, thorough assessment of anything that you think might not be right, then read about my online movement assessment and data gathering service, which is designed to support you in getting answers for you & your dog.
https://knowyourdogdevon.com/online-movement-assessment-data-gathering/
