Making Sure A Dog Is Sound Before Starting Sports

[stonecutter]

Hi all,

My Jap Spitz has just turned one and is close to getting her conformation title, so we'd like to move on to something that (she thinks) is a little more fun - maybe flyball or agility?

She had a few soft tissue injuries as a puppy due to overexuberance (yes I can jump up that wall!) and it has been suggested to me by a few people to have her hibs & elbows checked and scored to see whether she's sound. So she's booked in with Karen Hedberg at the end of the month. Her patellas have been checked at her regular vet checkups and are ok. There is no history of LP issues in 3 generations of her pedigree.

But are there any other health checks etc I should do?

[smisch]

I guess to me just making sure she is fit and generally healthy I would say your vet would have picked up on anything major such as heart and eyes and ears when you took her in for vaccines. Just making sure she isn't over weight or anything like that as that's not good on her joints.

But apart from that sounding like a go :) where abouts are you? Have you found a club yet there's so many great clubs and people in nsw :) hopefully well see you out there one of these days. My little lowchen just got her championship title so she's following in the border collies footsteps and doing agility lol she thinks she is a border collie lol!!

Good luck :)

[stonecutter]

I'm in NW sydney - so lots of clubs nearby, but where we end up I think will depend on my work schedule (as a uni lecturer, I have to teach a few nights a week).

At the moment, Southern Cross Flyball is looking good on Thursday nights. On the agility side, not sure where we might go yet - I'm going to look into K9Pro's classes.

ETA - I think she's pretty fit. We do at least 1x30 min walk a day, sometimes two as well as tug time and playing with a flirt pole in the back yard. No running as yet, I was told to avoid running her until she's been xrayed and given the all clear. When she turns 2, OH has plans to do an ET with her (they're both running :laugh: )

Edited January 17, 2012 by stonecutter

[smisch]

I'm in NW sydney - so lots of clubs nearby, but where we end up I think will depend on my work schedule (as a uni lecturer, I have to teach a few nights a week).

At the moment, Southern Cross Flyball is looking good on Thursday nights. On the agility side, not sure where we might go yet - I'm going to look into K9Pro's classes.

ETA - I think she's pretty fit. We do at least 1x30 min walk a day, sometimes two as well as tug time and playing with a flirt pole in the back yard. No running as yet, I was told to avoid running her until she's been xrayed and given the all clear. When she turns 2, OH has plans to do an ET with her (they're both running :laugh: )

The k9 pro ones are run by Vickie here on DOL if I'm correct :) you won't get anyone better IMO she is a fantastic trainer and awesome competitor known her for many years she started me out on this sport lol :) oh well if we come up this weekend I'll come find you and say hi were out of the ring until we have something to show lol so waiting on pups to be born And. Breeders to contact us.. :) good luck and enjoy

[Jumabaar]

I'm in NW sydney - so lots of clubs nearby, but where we end up I think will depend on my work schedule (as a uni lecturer, I have to teach a few nights a week).

At the moment, Southern Cross Flyball is looking good on Thursday nights. On the agility side, not sure where we might go yet - I'm going to look into K9Pro's classes.

ETA - I think she's pretty fit. We do at least 1x30 min walk a day, sometimes two as well as tug time and playing with a flirt pole in the back yard. No running as yet, I was told to avoid running her until she's been xrayed and given the all clear. When she turns 2, OH has plans to do an ET with her (they're both running :laugh: )

It would probably be Deerbush on a Thursday night rather than Southern Cross- we train at the same place, its just that Southern Cross was not accepting new members and Deer Bush is. That might change but just letting you know :)

[stonecutter]

Thanks Jumbaar - I didn't realise Southern Cross weren't accepting new members. What is the Deer Bush club like?

Also near me is Paws 4 Fun (but I can't do Wednesdays as I have dance class and rehearsals), Thunderdogs (Tuesdays), PCSI (Tuesdays). I'll have to shoot them off some emails.

[Jumabaar]

Thanks Jumbaar - I didn't realise Southern Cross weren't accepting new members. What is the Deer Bush club like?

Also near me is Paws 4 Fun (but I can't do Wednesdays as I have dance class and rehearsals), Thunderdogs (Tuesdays), PCSI (Tuesdays). I'll have to shoot them off some emails.

We train together so there is no difference in training, and SX allows dogs Deer Bush to run with us while they are getting together a stable team. So for the time being there isn't all that much difference, except who you pay your dues too. It's just a shock to most people who rock up and get all that explained to them.

PICSI has only just managed to get a team back together- I think it has been a couple of years since they have had one. Paws have one team running and have some really nice beginner dogs. Thunderdogs have a stack of teams and I have a feeling you have to pre book into their beginners course in advance.