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ForumsGerman Shepherd Dog > Hips and exercises during puppyhood. (8 replies)
Hips and exercises during puppyhood. by HighDesertGSD on 27 June 2012 - 17:11 |
| Are there any studies on hip condition at two years of age related to exercises during puppyhood. I'd like to know the details on the type of exercises, the intensity, and the age of the pup. Some experienced people told me to do no more than walking (the person walking fast) until OFA test at two years of age; is this too cautious? |
by TingiesandTails on 27 June 2012 - 18:03 |
| Exercise is actually great for growing dogs as it builts muscles, but restricted diet is just as important. Problems arise if the dog is growing too fast, is too fat and/or has undeveloped muscle mass (due to lack of exercise and overweight). Remember the AD (Ausdauerpruefung (20 km beside bicycle) by the SV has a minimum age of 18 months, OFA xrays are recommended at 24 months. Breeding a medium sized dog as opposed to oversized individuals is important as well. http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/animalhealth/page.php?id=1104 http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/chd2.html |
TingiesandTails by Niesia on 27 June 2012 - 18:53 |
HighDesertGSD, I don't think that there is one done yet. However, OFA usually specifies that the hips or elbows didn't pass due to the previous injury (if there was one). |
Niesia by HighDesertGSD on 27 June 2012 - 20:31 |
My consideration is putting a pup in regular exercise routine as adults. |
by GK1 on 28 June 2012 - 03:23 |
| I was running my pup 4 miles when he was 6 mos. I cut back on the running and now swim him in my pool. As for humans, swimming is much easier on the joints and a superior way to condition a growing dog safely. My now 8 mos old still loves to run, chase and jump and I let him because it's natural. I do try to limit the running to the grass though. Seems to me moderate activity within the pup's ability is the goal. Doubtful there is a scientific formula for what is too much. No activity is a bad idea, just as feeding a poor diet or allowing the dog to get fat. |
by TingiesandTails on 28 June 2012 - 15:59 |
| I very much agree GK1! Swimming is a great exercise. Everything else very much depends on many different factors (as previously stated: age, weight, overall condition, daily condition, time of feeding, amount of feeding, weather, exercise grounds etc) and a strategic routine is only good for humans, not for animals. I guess it would help you plan your day.. |
by Conspicuous on 28 June 2012 - 17:02 |
| Kind of related, but how long of a walk would you give a very young puppy? I know most of their exercise is play time, but I do like to take my new pup for a short walk to get her out and about but I don't want to overdo it. |
Conspicuous by HighDesertGSD on 28 June 2012 - 18:35 |
| BTW, it is my belief that those who say that the GSD needs 1 hour of exercise each day are not exercising their dogs with enough intensity. Snail pace like you walking at moderate rate of 3 mph is really very inefficient exercise. If you do so I suppose one hour each day is needed. I am convienced that the owner riding on a bike is the most efficient way, unless the dog is specifically trained in some intense exercise, like herding. I do few other exercise with my GSD's. I really exercise them only for 25 minutes every 72 hours, at about 9 mph. Average fast trotting for about 8 miles a week That's all the deliberate exercises, besides playing with each other in the yard. I think this is enough for them to be healthy. |
by TingiesandTails on 28 June 2012 - 20:55 |
| Is it a "guy thing" or what? You need to have a "feeling" for how much your puppy can take and how much is too exhausting! On a hot day, my pup only enjoys walking and exploring the environment for maybe 20 minutes. In the summer rain, we walk for 20-40 minutes. There is no mathematic rule that works for all puppies... |
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