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Digby's Owner
Bakersfield, California
Posts:17
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| 10/15/2008 10:42 AM |
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In a previous post (which I cannot locate at the moment) I read that it was important to limit the amount of distance running that a first year puppy can do until their hip joints(?) reach maturity in about a year(?).
From 9 months to a year is there an "ok" distance which they can be permitted to run? I walk our 9 month old puppy twice a day for 40 minutes to an 1 hour 1/2 each outing yet she doesn't seem to get tired. Recently, I have started using an empty dog backpack to increase the intensity of the walks. I would like to start running short distances with her, but I dont want to risk her developement by running too far.
Thanks |
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carlower1
Kansas
MH
Posts:1253
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| 10/15/2008 11:50 AM |
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One of the things that I was taught is to watch your dog...
Allow your dog to set the pace (meaning if you are running in front of your dog and the dog is dragging then you are going to fast.... I don't mean let the dog pull you, unless you are training for cannicross or pulling). At 9 months you can start training for pulling and introducing light weights, bicycle tires, empty milk jugs, empty back packs etc.... They are great runners so your biggest worry is to watch the pads, if you have to run on concrete or asphalt, get booties to protect her feet. I think you will find that at 9 months.. it is next to impossible for you to run with your dog and run her out of energy, no matter how good shape you are in.
If you run your dog and after the exercise he/she still has a lot of energy then the dog did not get enough exercise, increase the distance by 1/4 of a mile the next time. If your dog comes home, drinks water then curls up and takes a nap... or just sits there calmly, then you did good, BUT if your dog is lethargic, can't take liquids, loses interest in food, for several hours, you have over done it. Talk with your vet or local red-cross about taking an animal first aid class, one of the things they teach in that class is how to recognize, prevent and what to do during the different stages of heat injuries. Depending on your location and time of year they can also touch on cold injuries as well.
Wachter is now a year old and we started working with him, weights and the walkydog (bike attachment) when he was about 10 months. I can now hook him up and have him go for 4 miles and still have a dog that has energy, but I let him set the speed of the bike, I determine the distance based on the time I have, and how well he is doing. There are days when we get home and he is looking at me like "NOT YET!!!!" and there are days when we get home he curls up at my feet and lets me paw-decure him until my heart's content.
Carrie |
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2385
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| 10/15/2008 12:39 PM |
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I wouldn't do any roadwork/running until 12 months old. The growth plates don't close until 8-10 months, and then the bone structure changes to handle any stress put on it. As tempting as it is, especially with these dogs, to run, run, run them tired, I just won't do it.
I limit exercise to leash walks (no more than 30 minutes at a time) plus walks on the check-cord through the woods, fields, so she can sprint, stop, run, walk, sniff at her own pace over soft terrain, plus games of fetch, plus swimming weather permitting. All of this in moderation and not as hard and long as I would with a grown dog. I also noticed that mental stimulation (a trip to busy downtown or new, unfamiliar place, tracking, or a more formal training session - anything where they need to process a lot of information), balanced with some fun physical play and exercise, will wear them out nicely.
I like what Carrie wrote about how to gauge when a puppy/dog had enough, not enough, too much exercise...but I still won't let my dog repetitively pound the pavement until at least 12-18 months old. No agility until after 18 months.
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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Digby's Owner
Bakersfield, California
Posts:17
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| 10/15/2008 5:51 PM |
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| Thanks for the great replys. It is a lot to think about. On one hand you want them to grow up to the age where they can fully function, but on the other hand you dont want them to grow old too quickly. |
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MegC
Ellensburg, WA
MH
Posts:988
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| 10/15/2008 8:31 PM |
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My dogs were easily running 5-8 miles in harness by then, although one has to watch to make sure the dog is fit enough mentally and physically so they don't get burned out. IMO if the pup is rampaging loose, they give themselves enough breaks and mental gear-shifting that they can pretty much go until they're just short of starting to noticeably wear out. The trick either way is to cut them off just before they're done.
Depending on the pup they very well may be up to rolling longer than you've got time by 9 months. Much of what you see at that point is going to depend on genes... if your pup comes from more laid back lines you probably won't see the kind of nutty stunts my field bred dogs pulled off with impunity at that age.
As I've said before, due to the thousands of sled dogs put to work before their first birthday and how long and how well they've lived, I think there's something not quite 100% with the 'wait until they're fully grown' advice. Hopefully someone somewhere someday will do more research. |
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Megan
+ Dulcie (Lehmschlog's The Right Spot) + Rogan (Lehmschlog's BR Rogan) + Anya (Lehmschlog's Anya O Conchobar)
Intro to harness sport/mushing- start here! |
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CCH
Posts:18
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| 10/16/2008 11:12 PM |
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Not meaning to hijack this thread...but I didn't know this about not running GSPs under 12 mo. old!! Our is about 4 months old, and she LOVES to run. She runs with my husband (but he only takes her for about 20-30 minutes with some little breaks) But he does take her on sidewalks and streets.  I didn't realize this was bad!
She runs like mad in our backyard. Maybe that is okay because it's softer. Whenever I walk her (at a normal walking pace), she pulls incessantly. If I try to pull her back near me, she goes hyper, bites the leash and flails around...she wants to run, and she wants to be in front...
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everbell
Kanata, ON
MH
Posts:2860
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| 10/17/2008 4:53 AM |
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Running with a partner: I think the only concern about running a puppy is impact on growing joints (especially running on concrete), and them not knowing when they're tired. My husband didn't take Bo out on a run (7 to 8 miles) until he was a year old (and even then he tries to run Bo mostly in the woods on dirt trails).
Runnng on their own: I wouldn't worry about them running on their own in a yard or other soft surfaces. This is just what puppies do. Make sure their are no obstacles the dog can hurt themselves on (large rocks, toys, etc.) and let them burn off the energy as they need to. Make sure they have plenty of water and get plenty of rest to help those growing bodies  |
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2385
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| 10/17/2008 8:34 AM |
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CCH: as everbell clarified it, there is no problem with the pups running, or playing fetch etc...that's all fine. It's just the "roadwork" I was referring to: repetitive, steady pace, long distances, on hard road surfaces.
Here is a link that has a nice breakdown I personally agree with, except that they approve jogging etc at 8 months old but as I said, that is the age when the growth plates are closing so it may be okay. I wait until one year at least, but that is just my approach.
http://www.beartownchesapeakes.com/health2.html |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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Digby's Owner
Bakersfield, California
Posts:17
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| 10/17/2008 1:12 PM |
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That is a good link about exercise for puppies. The topic of running is interesting because there are so many different points of view. I asked our vet yesterday and she told me that dogs shouldnt go for structured runs until they are between the ages of 14 months and 18 months.
My wife takes our 19 month old male for 2-4 mile runs a couple of times a week in addition to his daily walks. He really seems to enjoy the quicker pace and it helps burn off some of the excess energy.
When they are not with us both the puppy and the male run the length of our backyard playing hard. Watching them run around just puts a big smile on my face.
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2385
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| 10/17/2008 2:45 PM |
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I have a vet appointment tomorrow I will ask my vet what he thinks. But I bet he agrees with your vet - they like to err on the side of caution.
I shall add that I start my dogs out slow with the "roadwork" running (not too long or too often) at 12 months and kick it up at 18 months, at which point I add agility as well. |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2385
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| 10/18/2008 9:15 AM |
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Okaty, I checked with my vet today, and he said no "roadwork" type running (biking, jogging etc) until 12 months. Agility after 18 months for large breeds. He said that the growth plates are not closing until between 8 and 12 months. The stress of "roadwork" type running puts on the bones and joints can cause any kind of injury in any age dog, but in a puppy it can also cause a growth plate (which is softer than bone) to close up. Not saying it will, just saying it can. Likely, that would happen on one leg only, or on more legs but at different times, and thus cause deformity because the legs would develop differently.
So basically, while my pet peeve early spaying PREVENTS growth plates from closing causing longer bones (long-legged dogs), somewhat changing the conformation, in no way crippling, but potentially predisposing the dog to joint injuries; roadworking a puppy may CAUSE gowth plates to close prematurely and unevenly.
Here is some interesting info re growth plates:
http://www.agilityability.com/growth_plates.htm
http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/growth_plate.htm (surgery to fix injuries)
Vet said walks, even longer walks, are fine, and of course, letting the puppy run around and play at its own pace.
If you are anxious to start with more serious exercise, you can have your vet x-ray the pup to see if the growth plates have closed. I may do that when I get my female spayed (12-15 months). |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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CCH
Posts:18
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| 10/18/2008 10:34 AM |
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Aww.. my little girl is a rescue dog and she was found (dumped on the side of the road) around 8 weeks old. We got her sometime between 8 and 12 weeks old and she was already spayed due to the rescue's policy. 
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2385
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| 10/18/2008 11:17 AM |
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| That's okay...I guess...most rescue and shelter dogs come like that and it's not gonna take away from her. However, if I have a choice I opt for later spaying. There is a different thread somewhere on this forum about that subject... |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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