Sitting up and preventing back injuries:
"Heather Oxford, DVM: As you may know, many dachshunds have a hereditary back condition called Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). This causes the discs to slowly degenerate, which makes them less resilient shock absorbers. Any activities that cause compression through the spine are considered high-risk for disc herniations and neurological problems including paralysis.
Such activities include running down stairs, jumping down from furniture, or jumping up and down on the hind limbs. At CARE, we encourage spinal flexibility and core strength by dozens of exercises. One such exercise is sitting up, a.k.a. "begging." This is a core strengthener that helps protect the back from injury. Also, I recommend fish oils that have concentrated amounts of omega-3s such as DHA and EPA. Not all fish oils are created equal, so make sure yours is independently tested for mercury and other contaminants, and that it meets its label claims."
http://dachshundlove.blogspot.com/2010/01/aint-too-proud-to-beg-but-is-it-ok-for.html
And from Chris Zink's site:
"Stationary exercises can also be used to strengthen specific groups of muscles. For example, teaching a dog to sit up can strengthen the back muscles. Stretching exercises, such as the play-bow should always be used to warm up a dog prior to training and competition."
http://www.caninesports.com/fitness.html
And from an article with Chris ZinK:
Dr. Zink: “There are lots of indoor exercises that you
can do to strengthen the rear legs and core muscles –
having the dog beg, then stand up, then go back
down into a beg without putting the front legs on the
ground is a great one. To make it even tougher, have
the dog do it on an uneven surface like a bed or couch
pillow. Another good core exercise is to lift diagonal
legs and have the dog balance on the remaining two
legs. Again, an uneven surface makes this a better
workout. You can strengthen the front limbs by having
the dog wave, holding its front legs (one at a time)
in the air as long as possible.
“These exercises will serve to strengthen the back
and abdominal muscles, which can help prevent back
injuries. Any basic trick can be made into an indoor
exercise, if you modify it for strengthening value.â€
Just Labs: We’ve heard that lunging through
deep snow is not good on a dog’s joints. Is this true?
If so, why is it not good – what is happening?
Dr. Zink: “Lunging in snow is not necessarily bad on
the joints. However, the sudden (unpracticed) muscular
effort associated with moving the limbs against the force
of the snow can cause muscle tearing and [muscle]
death, which can result in significant muscle pain for
several days afterward.â€
http://www.vetsportsmedicine.com/documents/JustLabs.pdf