How to Measure your Dog
Selecting the correct size of equipment for your dog is essential to the effectiveness of conditioning exercises.
The Wiggle Butts' Conditioning Equipment Collection has developed equipment sizes according to the width of your dog, however we recommend completing these steps to ensure the size of platform you select is well suited to your specific dog.
Measuring the Width of your Dog: Method 1
Method 1: Measure
- Place your dog in a down position with a measuring tape or ruler placed on the ground behind your dog's butt.
- Measure the distance between the hocks identified in the below image by the solid green dots.
- If your dog has a wriggly butt (pun intended...) it may be easier to take the measurement between the high points of the femur or upper thigh bone, identified in the above image by a green circle.
- You really want to find the measurement of the bones, so make sure to tuck in any fluff!
- Reset your dog from their down position and try again. A total of 3-5 measurements should give a good picture to help make your decision.
Image courtesy of Canine Conditioning Coach
Measuring the Width of your Dog: Method 2
Method 2: Try & Test
Some dogs simply don't like objects or people around their rear end, which may make it difficult for you to take a measurement. Don't worry, this is the method for you!
- Cut a piece of cardboard to a width you think would be suitable for your dog.
- Don't worry if you guess wrong, we're just doing some trial and error at this point!
- Your dog will physically be sitting on this piece of cardboard, so make sure you cut it long enough to give them an actual target! If you don't know where to start, try cutting a length that is double the width you are testing. e.g. if I am testing an 8" wide piece of cardboard, I would cut it to 16" in length.
- Set up a camera behind your dog and start a video recording.
- This will help you and your dog to focus on what you're doing instead of worrying about looking at their rear.
- Place your dog in a down position with their rear paws physically on top of the cardboard.
- You may need to attempt a few times, especially if you and your dog are new to using target platforms. Don't get discouraged -- learning together is fun!
- Review your video and repeat with different widths as needed. For determining the correct size using this method, you will be using the below image as a guide.
Image courtesy of Canine Conditioning Coach
Using Width to Select Size
Use the Width Measurement to find your Corresponding Size!
The resulting width measurement will correspond to the suitable size of platform* found in the Wiggle Butts Sizing Legend - Width below.
Size |
Width (cm) |
Width (inches) |
X-Small | 13 or less | 5 or less |
Small | 16 | 6 |
Medium | 20 | 8 |
Large | 25 | 10 |
X-Large | 30 | 12 |
Still have questions? Contact Us with your question and we would be happy to help!
Measuring the Length of your Dog
- Place your dog in a down position.
- Measure the distance from the tip of the front paw to the back of the hock. This is shown in green on the image below.
Using Length to Select Size (Metric)
Size | Largest Recommended Length (cm) |
X-Small | 41 |
Small | 64 |
Medium | 79 |
Large | 92 |
X-Large | 120 |
Still have questions? Contact Us with your question and we would be happy to help!
Using Length to Select Size (Imperial)
Size | Largest Recommended Length (in) |
X-Small | 16 |
Small | 25 |
Medium | 31 |
Large | 36 |
X-Large | 47 |
Still have questions? Contact Us with your question and we would be happy to help!
What if my Dog is Between Sizes?
We offer custom sizing! Contact us and include CUSTOM ORDER in your message, dimensions of the custom size, and shipping address and we will get back to you within 1-2 business days.