Road work - Page 1

 Okay I,m looking for any information :

 I,ve got a 7 year old Male(7 later this month) vet check is healthy heart,lungs,hips,elbows. weight  68 to 70 pounds (which is his normal weight) . I,m going to start doing some road work with him he is a Sch 2 presently  and am wondering if any one could suggest any Good nuttritional supplements and such for this training?. He currently gets 3 level cups of Royal Cannin a meal twice daliy along with the occasinal raw bones (beef rib and leg) once weekly. and what a good schedule might be looking to improve his wind and stamina.       

http://www.k9power.com/combo_specials.php

Stress N Impact Combo

I haven't used the Stress and Impact formula but I loved the K-9 Power Puppy Gold for my litter and the dam. 

No matter what breed of canine I am conditioning, I work the dog at a 5-6 MPH pace.  I work the dog by the clock.  For a 7yr old dog starting out, I would begin at 10 mins, and add a few minutes each workout.  Massage the dog after each workout and knead towards the heart. I would work the dog 3 on and 1 off.  I work dogs in a rural setting, where if they see a cotton tail or Jack, they can chase and get the benefit of maximum stress (wind sprints).  After a few weeks of training you can give your canine some sprints. (Fartlek Principle)

For a working 7yr old, Nutrajoint and Flax Oil ......As strange as it might seem, the main ingredient (gelatin) in good old Jello might be just what the doctor ordered for painful joints. Gelatin has been market world wide for many years as a food and as a supplement. Gelatin is made from animal collagen. In all animals-including man- collagen is an essential structural protein that forms an important part of bones, tendons, and connective tissues. It is a tough insoluble protein that is essential for keeping the many cells and tissues of the body together. Gelatin contains an exceptionally high content of two amino acids which play an important part in collagen formation, namely proline and glycine.

In fact, it takes 43 grams of dried egg whites or 35 grams of dried non fat milk or 89 grams of lean beef to equal the amount of proline in just 10 grams of hydrolyzed gelatin. Though the canine body can form these two amino acids on its own, it has been suggested that under certain conditions the rate of synthesis may be insufficient to provide essential body requirements and degradation can exceed synthetic processes (i.e. there is a steady loss of body collagen). The intake of hydrolyzed gelatin appears to be an alternative route to getting chondrocytes (cartilage producing cells) and osteoblasts (bone forming cells) of the body sufficient amounts of these important amino acids for making structural proteins. Although chondrocytes are critical for collagen formation, their number is limited and their ability to form this much needed protein is influenced by heredity, age, physical activity (too little or too much), injury, and availability of nutrients.

Although bone metabolism is quite complex and not fully understood, there is a growing number of studies showing the intake of just ten grams per day of hydrolyzed gelatin is effective in greatly reducing pain, improving mobility and overall bone/cartilage health. Several randomized, double-blinded, crossover trials have shown improvements in symptoms related to joint pain (Adem et. al. Therapiewoche, 1991). The people at Knox (the Jello people) have made a product specifically for bone health and joints called NutraJoint. It contains hydrolyzed gelatin, calcium , and vitamin C. Calcium is of obvious importance to bone health and vitamin C (preferably Ester-C) is an essential and limiting nutrient for connective tissue formation. NutraJoint is cheap, has no side effects, and tastes good.
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GFRD_enUS209US209&q=nutrajoint

Flax oil for everything!
Many athletes are starting to see the many benefits of flax oil for all sorts of uses. One obvious use of flax oil is a reduction in pain due to any type of inflammatory condition, including joint troubles.
 Flax oil is exceptionally high in Omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid). Omega-3 fatty acids, from fish, flax, etc., have been shown in the scientific/medical literature to reduce inflammation of any kind.

Remember the "-itis" part of the word relating to joint problems? How do you think non- steroidal anti- inflammatories work? They reduce inflammati

Abhay, Thanks for the  info. I know you were not talking about young dogs but just wondering if any studies have been done on feeding NutraJoint to a young growing dog. Do you know if the addition of  a collagen supplement falls into the won't hurt might help category? ( I.e. if not needed passes out of the body) . As you noted " bone metabolism is quite complex and not fully understood" and I worry about interfering with the natural process.  I do know that one is supposed to be careful with  calcium supplementation for ayoung dog because if the ratio with phosphorus is not correct it will do more harm than good.

I'm also curious about the supplements I see so many recommend as in the K-9 formulas Vertex etc. Have there been any scientific studies done with regard to them or long term colony studies with dogs ( for example a guide dog school)? or do people give them on faith and hope?

I may be keeping a young pup who I am fostering and I would like to insure she has the optimium nutrition for develop ment but I am leery of using supplements willy nilly.

Bob, another suggestion if I may.  Part of Dr. Clemmons suggested protocol for ALL GSDs is at least 400 mg of natural Vitamin E a day and 1000 mg. of Fish Oil. Like the flax that Abhay suggested fish oil is good for inflammation but all the omega3,6 and 9 oils are necessary and vital for a proper functioning body especailly nerves and brain.

VKFGSD, I don't know of any studies regarding growing dogs using collagen supps, or even growing children using collagen supps.  I have seen Cautions, on the labels of collagen supps, regarding pregnant or nursing women, and children under the age of 18.

I do know, my wife has made 3 different GSD breedings since we have been together. From the first tie, she has fed the dams, Folic Acid, Nutra Joint and Ester C.  She does the same with the pups for their first 12 wks of life. Two breedings were between working lines. One breeding was between High Lines. Every single pup, had their ears up by 8 wks. Some as early as 3 wks.  Of course I can't say 100% it was the supps, but it sure didn't hurt.

Asko Jr @8wks