Lab Puppy Legs

[bozthepup]

I am looking for opinion on finding the right 'balance' between letting our 9 week old (gorgeous) lab puppy engage in normal puppy play .... and vigorous play that might cause him longer term damage to joints / hips etc. His parents both have near perfect hip and elbow scores but we've noticed he ocassionally gets a very small shake in his front legs while standing still (after play). How can we strike the right balance ? I try not to let up jump up and down on anything and we have no stairs etc. Also, when is an okay age to start letting him do that kind of stuff ?

[sandgrubber]

I am looking for opinion on finding the right 'balance' between letting our 9 week old (gorgeous) lab puppy engage in normal puppy play .... and vigorous play that might cause him longer term damage to joints / hips etc. His parents both have near perfect hip and elbow scores but we've noticed he ocassionally gets a very small shake in his front legs while standing still (after play). How can we strike the right balance ? I try not to let up jump up and down on anything and we have no stairs etc. Also, when is an okay age to start letting him do that kind of stuff ?

Hard question. I wish we had something definitive to go on, but it all seems to be opinions based on small sets of observations taken from one person's perspective.

I've gotten good/excellent hip/elbow scores on the last several Lab pups I've raised. These are the concepts I use.

1. exercise isn't bad, and straight, as opposed to twisting, jumping, or jarring motions, build up muscle, which will tend to build a balanced frame for bone growth. Soft sand and/or water are great because they make the pup do a lot of pushing while cushioning impact. Ball chasing can be dangerous because it tends to lead to twisting.

2. never force the pup to do anything, and never rev up its enthusiasm for chase, play, etc. to a high pitch where it will let its drive overcome its natural caution

3. build up distance with walks. Mine will go a few kilometers at six months, at a slowish walk, on lead. At nine weeks you don't want to do walks at all . . . by 14 weeks you might start little ones. Self-paced exercise is best for the first four months or so.

4. if a pup's bones are so fragile that it can't endure normal puppy play, we are doing something very wrong as breeders. As a breeder I decided to avoid the kid gloves approach and take anything that couldn't stand normal puppy play out of breeding.

I don't know what the shaking behaviour you're describing is. I don't recall seeing such a thing.

I look forward to seeing how others answer. I would recommend putting the question into the health section, however, as I suspect a lot of people who might have useful answers don't read the puppy problems section.

Edited January 1, 2009 by sandgrubber

[je33ie]

Hi Bozthepup!!!

First up, please come join us in the lab forum at

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...730&st=2175

we love new puppies and we'll share our experiences with you!!! There's lots of lab lovers who will share your pains and joys in raising this little bundle of fun.

As for exercise, one thing I learnt was don't push your pup and make sure he gets plenty of rest. I was so keen to take Geordie out for walks I probably started walking her too early, and now at 6 months I don't think waiting would have made any difference at all. It's also good to keep them out of public until they've had all their shots. Play lots of games at home, and make sure you do 'forced time-out' if they start to look tired. Geordie slept so much in the first month that we had her (I think it was something like 20 hours out of 24, with bursts of play in between). You'll start to recognise the needs of your pup over time...

Enjoy every minute - I'm so jealous of you!!

[Garden Girl]

Although I dont have a lab - my two pups had the shaky front leg thing as well. I called the breeder and she said it's normal. they have now both grown out of it....or at least I dont see it anymore.

[Erny]

It's also good to keep them out of public until they've had all their shots.

Sorry. Experience dictates that I have to disagree strongly with the above protocol.

[LoremIpsum]

Great advice from Sandgrubber.

Martha is seven months now. We've basically let her set her own limits in terms of the energy she uses up. However, she's very interested in retrieving and I posted a question here a while ago about when I should let her chase a ball — the overwhelming advice is that we should avoid it until she's a year old, if not older. I now let her chase other dogs who are chasing balls — she still gets the run but she does a gentle loop at the end rather than a screeching halt.

You definitely need to avoid jumping at this stage.

It's very hard. Young labs are energy bunnies, and Martha will go out of her way if she sees a log or something just for the pleasure of jumping over it. She also loves rough play with older dogs and sometimes has to be dragged away. I think the best thing I learned was to be aware and careful but not get into a panic every time she does a somersault. Once your pup gets a bit older, swimming is terrific if you have access (watch out for snakes near rivers though) and a great way to practice retrieving without putting stress on joints.

It's also good to keep them out of public until they've had all their shots.

Sorry. Experience dictates that I have to disagree strongly with the above protocol.

I find this a really interesting question. I didn't know what to do with Martha cause I received such conflicting advice — some people act like you're essentially murdering your dog if you take them out before they've finished their shots, others that your dog will forever be fundamentally unsocialised if you don't. I carried Martha around a lot when she was really little, then started little walks, greeting other friendly, healthy-looking dogs on leads, after her first shots. Don't let her sniff dog poo. Puppy school is essential for socialisation.

I do think that Labs are generally so social and easygoing

[Erny]

I find this a really interesting question. I didn't know what to do with Martha cause I received such conflicting advice — some people act like you're essentially murdering your dog if you take them out before they've finished their shots, others that your dog will forever be fundamentally unsocialised if you don't. I carried Martha around a lot when she was really little, then started little walks, greeting other friendly, healthy-looking dogs on leads, after her first shots. Don't let her sniff dog poo. Puppy school is essential for socialisation.

Hi Botheration. If you click my signature link it'll take you to my website. At my website, go to "events" and then click on "Meet Mandela" in the drop-down box. I am waaaaaaay behind with updating on Mandela's adventures, but what is written there is in PART some of his socialisation experience. Since then we've been so many different places .... building up to both Melbourne CBD (which included train travel; tram travel; elevators in high rise buildings; walking along main road in CBD - al the noises, sights, sounds that go with it; etc.) and to Tullamarine Airport.

I'd been pretty busy up to the Christmas lead up, I'm afraid the site has got away from me. I'll try to further the up dates soon. But it will give you a bit of an idea of my approach to socialisation. If you are still feel as though it is a bit of a dilemma, feel free to call me if you'd like to have a phone chat about it.

Edited January 5, 2009 by Erny

[becks]

I think the right balance can be summed up with everything in moderation. eg a couple of chases after a ball shouldn't do any harm but half an hour of solid ball chasing each day could prove harmful. Same with socialisation, I know a few dogs that got taken out somewhere new each time they left home and ended up with a phobia about leaving the house and would scream the place down if they were forced to go out (usually at about 4 - 5 months old) those pups who go to some familiar places and mix in new experiences seem to get the best of both worlds. I agree with Erny about getting pups out to start socialising before the jabs are done.

[luvsdogs]

At the age of your pup, puppy play is all I would do. Carry him out & about until he's finished his shots. Let him play with friendly dogs you know that are fully vaccinated & meet & greet lots of different ppl of all ages.