Olivebaby Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Is a 20 min walk once a day as well as a good off lead run at the beach or park once a week too much for a 5 month old lab? I have been reading a lot of conflicting information lately. Also we play fetch on the pavement in the yard (about 5 mins a day) can that possibly damage her growth? We have raised decking that she will run up and down (about 2 stairs) not much we can do about that though so hopefully that won't be harming her long term. Our yard situation is far from ideal and our bloody floor boards are too slippery for her to sit properly on, so her legs always sit wide. Im just having a stress that she may be damaged later and it will have been my fault and completely preventable :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunny Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Hi Olivebaby..we thought we were being careful with Matilda and as you may have read, we are having problems with her limping. She was walked maybe about 10 minutes a day,we did short bursts of training her on the lead, she played fetch (we didn't do it a huge amount), we've got a raised verandah so about 2 -3 steps down on to the garden..she did leap on and off those. Whenever she was around the horses, she was on a lead but would get tangled up in that at times. She had a paddling pool that she would jump in and out of, and of course when it was wet, it was slippery. But nothing was overdone...or so we thought. We think the damage came from her first (and only) class at dog school where all the puppies played very hard...lots of leaping,twisting, turning etc but it could have come from anything really. Thankfully, after a few weeks of confinement, things are looking pretty good again but we are so worried about her reinjuring herself when it comes time for her to be 'normal' again. Just tweaked something at the wrong moment I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 (edited) can you put rugs down inside? - slippery floors and young joints aren't good companions ... or perhaps some 'slippers' for her so she doesn't slip! ;) Edited July 6, 2011 by persephone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Sounds like a reasonable amount of exercise to me. I think some people take exercise restriction too far. I met one person with a lab that was told by the breeder the dog couldn't be exercised at all until it was 12 months old Of course the dog was extremely hyper and would jump around heaps- so probably doing more damage by all that jumping than a 20 min trip to the park!!! I think a general rule is 5 mins forced exercise (eg leash walking) per age in months. So if Olive is 5 months she could be getting 25 mins of leash walking. Ball throwing is not ideal for the joints, but I guess you have to balance the enoyment they get from it, with the risk. I didn't start ball throwing with Mindy until she was around a year. My Aussie shep was ball obsessed and unfortunately paid the price as an older dog, getting severe arthritis in her elbows at age 11. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Fox Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 2 x 10min walks per day as opposed to one 20min walk would be better ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inevitablue Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Agree with the rugs on the ground. Slipping can put joints out & cause soft tissue damage. I walk a 6 month old twice a day, for 40min each time. I think this is at the extreme end of the spectrum. Our parks around here are all tidal/flooding areas and are very soft and 'peaty' underfoot, I'd never walk a growing dog on hard surfaces. About a km of the walk is on the beach. Weighing up if controlled exercise is better than chaotic zoomies off stairs etc at home is a consideration IMO. Out and about for a walk and mental challenges then sleepy time at home. If I had a Lab though I would be more anal about the exercise levels. I believe it's a balance between avoiding concussive exercise, and building enough muscle to support the joints, particularly the hips. Plus nutrient supply to the body and the dogs/ breeds predisposition to joint problems. I'd stop the fetch on the pavement and encourage some swimming at the beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 We are lucky here- all sand . Pups self exercise for the first 6 months or so - before starting work . Olivebaby - walk on grass /sand where you can - swim if you can, too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivebaby Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share Posted July 7, 2011 Thank you all for some very good advice. Will take it on board. My girls parents both had excellent hip scores and wanted to keep the option of breeding open later if she works out. But was just a little worried that her environment may ruin that. So thanks again :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 Is a 20 min walk once a day as well as a good off lead run at the beach or park once a week too much for a 5 month old lab? I have been reading a lot of conflicting information lately. Also we play fetch on the pavement in the yard (about 5 mins a day) can that possibly damage her growth? We have raised decking that she will run up and down (about 2 stairs) not much we can do about that though so hopefully that won't be harming her long term. Our yard situation is far from ideal and our bloody floor boards are too slippery for her to sit properly on, so her legs always sit wide. Im just having a stress that she may be damaged later and it will have been my fault and completely preventable :-( I wouldn't be doing that at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 I never play fetch games with my dogs - even my Springer who is training for retrieving trials does controlled retrieves 99% of the time with just an occasional 'happy bumper' (informal retrieve) thrown as a reward. The twisting and turning is bad and it doesn't do much to mentally tire the dog - I'd much rather do 5 mins of training instead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivebaby Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share Posted July 7, 2011 So I should stop it all together? :-( she loves it so much and she was a born retriever but I guess if it's bad for her I'll stop. When can I start again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inevitablue Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 Try throwing her toy into the shallow water and letting her retrieve that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 So I should stop it all together? :-( she loves it so much and she was a born retriever but I guess if it's bad for her I'll stop. When can I start again? On concrete? Never Into water? As soon as possible!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivebaby Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share Posted July 7, 2011 Ok thanks. Will stop the backyard fun. She does love the water but was hesitant to take her there too much in winter. Lots of cold salty water = lots of shampoos, which I know isn't good for their skin (I do use an oatmeal based shampoo and conditioner) Any good suggestions for a long leash for recall. Currently have a 10m nylon one which is bulky and annoying and really painful. I would love to take her to the park more but she is not reliable enough yet to be let loose with other dogs around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivebaby Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share Posted July 7, 2011 Can I just say I love this forum. So many knowledgable people with great advice. Thanks so much :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 I never play fetch games with my dogs - even my Springer who is training for retrieving trials does controlled retrieves 99% of the time with just an occasional 'happy bumper' (informal retrieve) thrown as a reward. The twisting and turning is bad and it doesn't do much to mentally tire the dog - I'd much rather do 5 mins of training instead *nods* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 Hi Olivebaby, I recommend one of these long lines: Awesome Long Lines I don't actually have one myself as I can't afford it at the moment and I already had a lunge lead for horses which I use for recall training. My lab swims in the sea almost every day. I don't wash her after (I only wash her about every 2 weeks to once a month). If anything it seems to have helped with her allergies and itchiness. Labs were bred to retrieve fishing nets from the sea so their coat is pretty hardy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivebaby Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share Posted July 7, 2011 Brilliant! Thanks, I'll get one with my tax return. I have currently been banned by my girlfriend from buying anything more for olive other than food :-( do u think the 5m or 10m would be best for an inquisitive 5 month old? I'm really happy to hear about the swimming situation. She just loves the beach, I'm assuming running around on the sand is better than grass or concrete right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 I would get the 10m line. Then you can practice distance recalls more easily. I think there are mixed opinions about running on sand. It certainly builds muscle, but being so soft and moveable it may cause extra motion in the joints. It is better than concrete though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inevitablue Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 [quote name='Olivebaby' timestamp='1310025927'. She just loves the beach, I'm assuming running around on the sand is better than grass or concrete right? Yep, not so jarring on the joints. A surface that absorbs some of the energy is what you want. Running on concrete is easier for us cardio wise because the energy rebounds back into our body, whereas something soft transfers the energy into the ground. You don't want the energy rebounding back into her body as the joints then have to dissipate it. Throwing a floating retrieve toy into the water is perfect, she runs in a straight line, and no harsh pivoting to return as she will be supported by water. Plus she will have a great time My 6month old has huge muscles from running in soft, wet sand, and it tires her out nicely :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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