Front No-Knuckling Training Sock
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The Front No-Knuckling Training Sock is a temporary training tool for short-term, multiple-use to help correct gait and improve front paw placement in patients with neurological deficits. They are designed in the USA by Renee Mills, VT, CCRP, to enhance proprioception and combat knuckling (patent pending).
Clinical Advantages:
- Provides training support for patients who drag their front paws
- Creates sensory stimulation acting as a reminder for pets to lift limb higher during gait training
- Enhances proprioception while also supporting above and below the joint
- Lightweight design to target patients with limb weakness
- Perfect for rehabilitative use for pets recovering from spinal surgery or suffering from disc disease
For Best Outcome: Guide patients to use this temporary training tool during multiple walks for two to five-minute intervals on one lower front leg at a time. Remove when the training exercise is complete. Wearing during the beginning of your walk will have the best outcome.
Please note that the Front No-Knuckling Pro Kit available through this product page is not customizable. This kit will contain five training socks- one of each size.
Ideal for the following conditions:
Professionals Guide to the No-Knuckling Training Sock
The Front No-Knuckling Sock is designed to enhance proprioception in patients with neurological deficits. The sensory stimulation acts as a reminder for pets to lift their limb higher and can be utilized as a gait retraining tool. The lightweight nature of the neoprene is designed to target patients with front limb weakness while also providing additional support above and below the carpal joint.
Rehabilitation professionals may use this product as part of a treatment plan. Pet owners can also be instructed to use it for at-home training sessions. There are numerous ways to incorporate the No-Knuckling Training Sock into your practice.
Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
No-Knuckling Training Sock Walks:
Apply sock to the affected limb and have the patient walk slowly for two to five minutes. If deficits are bilateral, apply to only one leg at a time to begin. You may progress to longer walks or using both front legs simultaneously once the patient is ready for this increase.
Enhanced Cavaletti Poles:
Apply sock to the affected limb during the Cavaletti poles exercise. If a patient is still hitting bars, this will add an extra reminder to pick that foot up.
Enhanced Figure 8s or Cone Weaving:
Apply sock to the affected limb during more difficult walking exercises. This will assist in correct paw placement as you advance your workouts.
Treadmill Patterning:
Apply sock to affected limbs. This will significantly enhance any patterning exercise using land or an underwater treadmill. During this exercise, the length of time worn and progression is at the professional’s discretion. If used in the underwater treadmill, be sure to remove it after the workout and let the sock air-dry before subsequent use.
If you have questions about how or when to use the No-Knuckling Training Sock, please get in touch with us at 1-866-578-2926
Top of Paw to Carpal Joint
Measure from top of the paw to middle of the carpal joint on your pet. Ideally, try to do this with your pet in a standing position. If that’s not possible, your pet may not be ready for the Front No-Knuckling Training Sock, and we recommend you consult your veterinarian for advice.
| Size | Top of Paw to Middle of Carpal Joint | Recommended Weight |
|---|---|---|
| XSmall | 2 – 2.5″ | 13 – 18 lb. |
| Small | 2.25 – 3″ | 18 – 30 lbs. |
| Medium | 2.5 – 3.25″ | 30 – 60 lbs |
| Large | 3 – 4″ | 60 – 80 lbs. |
| XLarge | 3.75 – 4.5″ | 80+ lbs. |
If dog falls between sizes, go up one size.
For Best Outcome: We recommend you use this temporary training tool during multiple walks for two to five-minute intervals on one lower front leg at a time. Remove when the training exercise is complete. Wearing during the beginning of your walk will have the best outcome.
Proper Placement and Fit for the Front No-Knuckling Training Sock
STEP 3
Wrap fleece pad portion around toe portion of cord loop. This will add extra padding between the cord and toes. Soft fleece should always be closest to the dog’s paw; touch fastener side should face the ground to avoid irritation.
STEP 1
Spread open the No-Knuckling Training Sock (NKTS). Then wrap the NKTS around the front of the Carpal joint on the lower front leg. You will be centering the wrap on the front of the leg over the joint with the label over the joint and cord fastener ideally positioned just below the joint.
STEP 2
While keeping the cord loop free and over straps, secure touch fastener straps. Begin with the top strap. Then secure the bottom strap last. The bottom strap may cover the nylon cord piece.
STEP 4
Place cord loop around and under middle two toes.
STEP 5
Pull slowly at the top of the cord to tighten. Then test your dog’s reaction. If there is no reaction, gradually tighten the core and test again. If you’re having trouble pulling the cord taught, you may try loosening the bottom strap slightly once the cord is set appropriately, re-tighten the bottom strap.
Important:
*Do not wrap the NKTS too tightly, as that may interfere with circulation or limit leg mobility.
*Do not tighten the cord to the point where it could cause irritation or pull the toes up too far.
*Do not leave the NKTS on your pet for extended periods. It’s designed to be a short-term training tool. NKTS should be used for 2-5 minutes at the beginning of a walk and then removed. Misuse or extended wear beyond manufacture recommendations may lead to injury of the paw.
*Softest part of fleece pad should always be touching dog’s skin with touch fastener edge pointing away from dog’s paw.
*Placement of any brace, wrap, or support on your pet may cause them to kick leg or paw trying to remove the product.
*Do not leave the NKTS on pets unattended.
Note: It is best to use the NKTS at the beginning of a walk or rehab session for best results. Straps are intentionally left long to provide the right amount of support above and below the carpal joint where the support is needed. The carpal joint is intentionally left exposed to prevent additional pressure on the joint itself.
How does the Front No-Knuckling Training Sock work?
The Front No-Knuckling Training Sock stimulates a dog on the skin between the center toe toes, evoking a withdrawal reflex in the front foot. This reflex causes the patient to pick the foot up higher off the ground before correctly placing its foot for its next step. For best results, wear for short 2–5-minute intervals multiple times during the day and remove at the end of the exercise.
Will my patient walk normally while wearing the No-Knuckling Training Sock?
Expect your patient’s steps to be more exaggerated than their normal gait, especially when they first start. The stimulation to the dog’s paw should cause them to pick their front leg up higher when walking.
How can I encourage a patient to walk with the training sock on?
You may need to use treats and encouragement as motivation to walk. It’s a new concept for the dog to learn and may take time. For at-home use, encourage your clients to use positive reinforcement during their sessions as well.
Will the training sock be uncomfortable for a pet to wear?
The Front No-Knuckling Sock is a training tool and not designed for long-term use. If used correctly, it will solely stimulate the pet and not cause any irritation. Keep the fleece pad wrapped snuggly around the cord to ensure a pet’s comfort, with the softest part touching the paw. Touch fastener edge should always point away from the foot.
Always teach your clients the correct way to use the training sock and instruct them on the proper fit and length of time their pet should wear the Front No-Knuckling Training Sock.
Is there a medical reason why this product cannot be used on the rear leg?
The anatomy of the dog’s rear leg is very different from its forelimb. Since the angle and the functionality of the hind leg differs, the patient will require a training sock built for their posterior limb. Please see Rear NKTS for a product for pets with back leg knuckling.
Why should I recommend the training sock to my patient instead of or in place of another?
The training sock is lighter weight and will train the dog to lift their foot or front leg higher and improve knuckling. Not only does the Front No-Knuckling Training Sock encourage a dog to pick up their foot while walking, but it retrains them to place their foot properly when not wearing the sock. Since the training sock can only be used periodically, we recommend the Bootie Splint is worn when the training sock is not to keep the paw protected.
Will this help with the knuckling of a dog who has DM?
Yes, it will help dogs who have been diagnosed with DM. The training sock will encourage the pet to pick up the foot higher and be more aware of foot placement. There will be less progress in dogs in the later stages of DM, but it will still help by encouraging them to pick up the leg higher and as a strengthening tool.
Why do you only use this product for 2-5 minutes at a time?
This product is designed to be used as a training tool. The dog will be working harder than usual to walk, so you do not want to overexert them or cause any skin irritation to the toes. This product is most beneficial to the pet for short, frequent applications.
How long does it take to see results?
You should see the results as soon as the dog starts wearing the product. You should see more improvement over the next week or two when the dog is not wearing the product. For best results, the training sock needs to be worn regularly for a few minutes at the start of every walk.
This is made for short-term use; what is considered short-term?
Every patient is different, and how long they will require the training sock will vary. The training sock can be used for a few weeks or a few months; this will vary by the patient on a case-by-case basis.
Are there any breeds you would not recommend this item be used with?
All dog breeds can use the Front No-Knuckling Training Sock. There are no breed-specific limitations on any Walkin’ Pets products.
Can the training sock still be used if the dog is missing a toe?
The Front No-Knuckling Training Sock can be used even if the dog is missing one of the middle toes. In this case, you would place the cord around the remaining middle toe. Putting the strap around the outer toes is not recommended.
How do you know the fitting is correct?
If the dog is walking and the toes are not dragging, the fit is correct. When the training sock is worn, and the dog can still drag the toes while walking, the cord will need to be tightened further. The dog’s toes should not be lifted off the ground or pointed upwards when the dog is wearing this product. If the patient’s toes are being lifted off the ground, the cord is too tight and will need to be loosened.
Will this item still work if the dog does not have toenails due to dragging?
Yes, this product is designed to help retrain the pet to lift the leg higher to help prevent the scraping of the nails. The cord sits around the dog’s center toes; the dog does not need to have toenails for the Front No-Knuckling Training Sock to work correctly.
Will this work for a dog who “does not pick up its leg?”
If the dog can still use his leg, he can use the Front No-Knuckling Training Sock. The dog still needs to have the strength to lift its front leg. As long as the dog can move his leg on his own, this product will be helpful. You can also use the training sock in conjunction with our Walkin’ Wheels Wheelchair.
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