My Labrador Walks Sideways: You may have noticed that your Labrador suddenly started running or walking sideways when you were out for a stroll in the park. You might have realized the very same thing while watching your Labrador play in the backyard. Is it something you should be concerned about? Do you need to take your Labrador to the veterinarian? Probably not.
While your Labrador may occasionally walk sideways (called “crabbing“) for medical reasons, there are far more common reasons for this unusual behavior. It would be best if you took your Labrador to the vet for an examination. This is a good idea. However, here are a few non-medical reasons that cause sideways walking, in addition to some solutions.
They Learnt It or Were Born Like That
There are many dogs that are more at risk of crabs than other dogs, such as your Labrador. Labradors will sometimes learn to walk on two legs at once as they grow up. Most of them begin this as puppies and never outgrow it. This often causes their rear legs and front legs to get in the way of each other.
Have you seen somebody walk on their toes, with their foot turned outward, or with dominance towards one foot? The behavior you see in your Labrador during a walk may be similar to that seen in people, which is side walking.
There is no reason to be concerned in most situations – they are just as they are.
They Have A Dominant Side
There may be someone you know with a dominant leg or arm, which means that one of the limbs is stronger or even more versatile than the other. The same applies to most dogs, including your Labrador.
This happens when your Labrador is running or walking. The dominant side of their body lifts off the ground with greater force, then their body turns sideways, making it appear like they’re moving sideways.
It is normal for this to happen. If you slow your Labrador’s pace down, the dominant side will not be as noticeable, and the stride should be more normal.
They Could be Still Growing
As puppies develop their legs, dogs can often get in the way of each other. Your Labrador’s legs may still be developing if they are a puppy. Just as children’s bodies develop, your Labrador can also become uncoordinated.
In an attempt to avoid tripping over their own feet, they will shift their back legs away to prevent crabbing (side walking).
Your Labrador’s side walking is most likely the result of this. Hopefully, this will diminish as they grow and become more adept at controlling their legs. It is always possible that they will never grow out of this habit, and it will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Ear Problems Can Cause Sidewise Walking or Crabbing
Labradors’ ears are closely linked to their sense of balance. By sending signals from the eyes, inner ears, and other sensory organs to the brain, your Labrador is able to balance, run, and walk without stumbling. Specifically, your Labrador’s inner ear contains unique “sensors” that detect head rotation. When your Labrador walks sideways, it could indicate that they are suffering from an ear infection.
The middle ear or inner ear infections could affect their vestibular system. Your Labrador may tilt and spin, as well as walk sideways, as a result of becoming dizzy. Consequently, your Labrador could suffer from dizziness or sickness.
Your vet can use MRIs or CT scans to diagnose this condition. Despite the high costs associated with such treatments, many veterinarians opt to evaluate Labradors symptomatically to ascertain whether the problem is resolved.
Suppose there is an infection in the ear. In that case, your veterinarian can prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs to treat the infection.
Undetected Pain Looks Like Sideways Walking
Labradors do not display discomfort in the way that we think they should. Perhaps there is a problem with your Labrador’s neck, affecting the cervical area, or it could be a problem with the vertebrae, possibly caused by disc herniation. Your dog might be trying to compensate for pain that comes from somewhere else by walking sideways. A strain, a torn ligament, or a bruise, for example, could cause your Labrador to walk sideways.
Labradors can also walk in a crabbing or side-to-side motion due to discomfort caused by their knees, hips, spinal column, rib cage, or even their anal glands. A dog’s anal glands can be affected, causing them to experience unpleasant pain as they keep filling up. It might cause your Labrador to walk unusually because of this soreness.
In Closing
Labradors, despite their quirky behavior, are a very loyal breed. Even though their bodies cannot explain what is going on, they instinctively try to find comfort or overcome – often in humorous ways. Do not ignore your Labrador’s side-walking behavior, especially if it suddenly appears. A professional assessment is necessary to determine the cause of the problem.