What age is biking appropriate? - Page 1

I have two Shepherds; One turns two tomorrow and there is no question in relation to her; But my other turns 1 year old next week. It isn't a matter of the "how" but of the "when." When can I start just some light biking with him every now and then? I'm walking both of mine together early each morning for 2-3 miles. They're usually still ready to play some when they get back, and I will build more endurance in time(and after it gets cooler again). Anyway, thoughts?

You could do the 1yr IF you vary the speeds and the terrain.  No sustained speed any length of time. Slow trot then med and then fast and repeat.

Do this in place of the morning walk.  If you can do two at a time great.  You can still do the 2yr as usual and this will just be a little more for exercise for her.

With ANY new exercise...Start off slowly and build on that...If you've never biked them before...I'd certainly start off very slow and with very short routines...Just like you'd do for yourself if just starting a new exercise routine...

~Bob~

Skeletal growth isn't complete until 18 months. I wouldn't do any biking/forced exercise until after that.

I understand your point Foreversolucky, but walking is forced excercise too just slow paced.

Going out and running free in the forrest for several miles will not be so bad because the dog can change pace and speed at will.

So if biking then, of course, depending on condition if you change things up and not over do it it should be good for them.

My dogs go with me while I ride, we go miles at a time with them running free.

Young dogs go but I don't go so far when I take them.

Have never had a problem from them doing this.

NO for the 1 year old; slowly build up for the 2 year old.

Nans why not the 1 yr old and for the 2 yr old they are past the min age to do an AD.

My dogs go out with me when I ride, sure they are conditioned for the distance I ride that is a no brainer.  I generally trot so for the dogs this is an easy gait especially for a German Shepherd.

Puppies are allowed to climb rocks and jump off of them as well as banks over logs and of course the adults when they are standing and don't think that adult  will give them a lesson if they miss. All of my pups get OFA good or better for hips and great elbows.

 

You have been lucky with letting them rock climb and jump and all that.


However a 1 year old still has soft joints and can be influenced by his/her activity level. That is all I meant. Of course go ahead and bike your dogs. Good Luck Nan

Nans do you have any idea how many miles a show line pup, especially in Germany, run while show training before they are 1 yr old.

German shepherds are also tracking and doing bite work before they are

1 yr. Put all that together and that is a lot of work.

The key I believe is conditioning and good food not luck plus the right start from birth. This Joanro and I talked bout before.

 

Well Gsdguy it sounds like you are smart with the conditioning and if Joanro approves the biking at 1 year then it must be OK. Just have seen a rear movement change due to over running at a young age and believed my eyes as I saw this boy at puppyhood then again at about a year and could not believe how his rear movement had changed due to his owner jogging him too far (6 miles) give or take. Learned right then and there that that was too far for this particular dog; this also has happened more than once in my 44 yrs in dogs. Good luck   Swimming on running on soft sand beach would probably be a better choise.  Nan