Platforms for Canine Fitness

Platforms are one of the most versatile tools in canine fitness training. The physical boundaries of a platform provide clear tactile feedback that helps dogs understand where their body should be positioned, making platforms especially useful for promoting good alignment during canine fitness exercises.

For best results, platforms should be sized to the individual dog’s proportions – long enough to support the dog’s entire body in a down position, but narrow enough to encourage good alignment during the exercises.

When appropriately sized, a platform:

• Promotes neutral joint alignment

• Reduces excessive limb abduction or external rotation

• Supports organized sit, stand, and down mechanics

• Improves movement clarity during transitions

• Enhances proprioceptive awareness

Proper sizing supports alignment while still allowing natural, comfortable movement.

 

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Canine Fitness Platform Sizing

Recommended Height:

• Small Dogs:  ~1/2″ to 1.5″

• Medium Dogs:  ~1.5″ to 2″

• Large Dogs:  ~2-3″

Measuring Length:

1. Place the dog in a square down.

2. Measure from the tip of the front toes to the base of the tail.

3. Next, add additional length to allow freedom of movement during exercises.

There is rarely a downside to a platform that is slightly too long. However, a platform that is too short can cause the dog to “compress” their body during exercises – which we want to avoid.

Additional Length Recommendations:

• Small Dogs:  Add an additional ~4-5″

• Medium Dogs:  Add an additional ~5-8″

• Large Dogs:  Add an additional ~8-12″

Measuring Width:

With the dog in a square down, I take 2 measurements:

1. Measurement 1 is from the dog’s left stifle to right stifle
2. Measurement 2 is from the dog’s left point of hock to right point of hock

If there is a discrepancy between these two measurements, add them together and divide by two to determine the average width.

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General Canine Fitness Platform Sizing Information:

It is always ideal to size platforms to the individual dog’s proportions, but if that is not possible, the following guidelines have worked well for many of our clients.

XS Dog:

• Height = 0.5″ – 1.5″
• Width = 6″
• Length = 18″

Small Dog:

• Height = 0.5″ – 1.5″
• Width  = 8″
• Length = 28″

Medium Dog:

• Height = 1.5″ – 2″
• Width = 10″
• Length = 38″

Large Dog:

• Height = 1.5″ – 3″
• Width = 12″
• Length = 48″

XL Dog:

• Height = 2″ – 3″
• Width = 14″
• Length = 58″

These are starting guidelines. Individual structure, proportions, and movement quality should always guide final sizing decisions.

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Materials for Building a Canine Fitness Platform

Base Material

Wood is the preferred base material.

It is:

• Stable

• Durable

• Less likely to tip

• Structurally consistent

• Long-lasting

Many hardware stores will cut wood to specification at no additional cost.

Always sand thoroughly, including edges and corners, to prevent splinters.

Surface Traction

The top and bottom of the platform should both be non-slip.

Suitable options include:

• Gym flooring

• Traction tape

• Anti-slip tape

• Yoga mat material

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Where To Buy

Worldwide:

• K9 Fitness Equipment (made in Canada) ships worldwide and can also create custom-sized platforms.

• Cato Outdoors offers the Cato Plank, which measures 12 inches wide by 36 inches long and may work well for some dogs depending on their individual measurements.

United Kingdom:

• Those in the UK can purchase custom-made platforms from Sara’s Dog Training Creations.

Europe:

• WoodDog offers several platform options for those located in Poland and elsewhere in Europe.

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What about a Sit Platform?

The same platform can be used for stands, downs, and sits.

More advanced canine conditioners may choose to use a shorter platform specifically for sit mechanics.

A sit platform should have the same height and width as the longer platform – only the length changes.

To determine sit platform length:

• Measure your dog in their best square sit
  or

• Use proportions from your existing platform

Typically, a sit platform length is:

• About 1.5–2.5× the platform width
  or

• Approximately 2/3 the length of the stand/down platform

Dogs with more rectangular body proportions, including many dwarf breeds, may require slightly longer sit platforms. Dogs with more square proportions can often use shorter ones.

When in doubt, slightly more room is preferable to a platform that is too small.

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Canine Fitness Platforms – Conclusion: