Physical discomfort can be a significant factor for some pets, and screening for it is an important part of a behavior assessment. The goal with these videos is to be able to observe foot placement, range of motion, weight distribution, alignment, etc. to screen for signs of discomfort or compensation. If there are not relevant findings on the videos you submit, this does not conclusively rule out discomfort. A video example is at the bottom.

These videos are collected for comprehensive consultations and cooperative vet care training, as many of these pets may have discomfort that can be masked by their stress response in the practice setting. Videos in a setting where they’re not stressed is a good screening tool.

The Device

Your video device should remain still (not walking with them), and needs to be taken from the level of the pet, about shoulder height (not from above them!).

For small dogs and cats, the video can be taken from floor level. I often prop my camera against a wall and use the front-facing camera so I can see when I’m in frame.

If you’re able to use your slow-motion feature of your camera, available on most smart phones, that provides a video with a better quality when observed at slow speeds.

Please take all videos in landscape/horizontal orientation, not portrait/vertical. 

The Flooring

Acceptable flooring is carpet (that’s not slippery), yoga mat-type nonskid flooring, concrete, dirt, and pavement.

Videos taken on hardwood, tile, or other potentially slippery surfaces (regardless of your pet’s familiarity with them, including Ruggable carpets) are not usable.

The Pet’s Gear

Working without any equipment in an enclosed yard or large indoor space is great. Working with a flat collar and a 6 foot leash in an open space is great.

Working with a body harness is not acceptable for this purpose because it can affect movement through the shoulders. If your pet can’t wear a collar, consider renting a fenced area via SniffSpot. Don’t let your pet drag their leash, since avoiding it will change their gait.

Using Food- Try To Avoid

Treats are best left out of the process, but if absolutely necessary, provided at the end of each pass across the screen. Do not hold a treat in your hand while you walk, which will cause your pet to look up at you while they walk, and change their weight distribution. Use only as much happy talk as is necessary to keep your pet on a loose leash, but not so much that they are turning their neck toward you the whole time.

Warm Up

Most pets need a few warm up passes back and forth before they get into a rhythm and walk naturally. Use this time to establish a pace and ensure that if you are using a leash, that you can keep it loose while walking. 

The Views

We want three good examples of each:

-Walking across the screen in both directions (A walk keeps 3 feet on the ground at one time)

-Walking away from the camera and toward the camera

-Trotting across the screen in both directions (A trot keeps 2 feet on the ground at one time)

-Trotting away from the camera and toward the camera

-Stand to Sit, Sit to Stand, Stand to Down, and Down to Stand from behind

-Stand to Sit, Sit to Stand, Stand to Down, and Down to Stand from the side

-Walking up stairs viewed from behind

-Walking down stairs viewed from the front

If your dog refuses during any of these exercises, don’t force them.