Hip Hound Brace - How To Use
How to Put on the Hip Hound Brace
Fitting the Hip Hound brace on your pup is fairly straight-forward. Instructions are available for download here:
Download Hip Hound Instructions
Tips for Initial Brace Fitting
- Before trying the brace on for the first time, create a quiet peaceful environment so your dog feels safe.
- Unpack the components and allow your pup to sniff and investigate the brace before applying it.
- We recommend taking your dog on a short, easy, leashed walk once the brace is secured.
- Time needed to acclimate to wearing a brace will vary depending on each dog’s personality; take things as slow and as easy as your pup needs.
- Positive reinforcement (treats, encouragement and praise) is essential in helping your dog adapt to wearing a knee or ACL brace.
Quick Tips for Fine-Tuning the Fit:
- Harness: Should be snug but not tight and fit like a collar around the neck.
- Thigh Straps: Should sit above the bend of the knee without pulling to high up into the groin. Straps should be snug, but not tight or pinching the skin (you should be able to comfortably fit a finger under the strap.)
- Leg Panels: The spacer mesh panels designed to provide a slight upward and forward motion which helps hold the femur heads in position. They should be snug on the hips.
- Leg Panel Adjustment: The velcro under the Ortho Dog logo patch can be adjusted to move the panels further apart or closer together to get the perfect fit.
- Harness Strap: The strap connecting the brace to the harness can be adjusted by the velcro to hold the leg panels in position with a gentle forward pressure.
Throughout the day if your dog is resting, you can leave the harness on, disconnect the velcro strap and just slip the brace on or off like a pair of pants.
The Hip Hound Brace should always be removed at night so the skin can breathe.
Please also remove the Hip Hound Brace if you are crating your dog or leaving them unattended.
Free Fit Consultation
Your dog’s hip brace may require some adjustments if the elastic leg straps cannot be secured mid thigh, or the leg panels are too loose over your dog’s hips. We’ll be happy to help with a Free Fit Consultation. Simply email a few photos of your dog standing in the brace (one from each side, straight on, and one from above) to info@orthodog.com.
Still Having Trouble?
We welcome any questions to support you and your pup with your Ortho Dog brace! If you are having issues with the brace fitting properly, please contact us and we’ll walk you through it, or exchange your product for a different size.