.... but please .... not too much .... too soon!

To understand why we say this, we need to have a very quick look at bone and joint growth and development in puppies - particularly those of larger dogs.

• “Puppy bones” aren’t fully formed / hardened until they’re at least 12 months old.
• Until the bones have fully formed - the hip and elbow joints will not fully “set”.
• Until this “setting” takes place - any “rattling” or over exercise of these joints, will result in a loose and irregular final fit.
• So - even though both “parents” may have execellent hip / elbow scores, it’s still very possible for a puppy to develop hip / elbow dysplasia - caused by over exercise.
• There’s no real cure for this - and at best - will result in painful arthritis.

Read that again - please - it’s important!

Let’s now have a look at how you can help prevent this tragedy happening to your puppy.

• For the first 6 months, an 8ft x8ft “solid concrete” based outside pen is “more than enough” - providing plenty of room for sun-bathing / playing and free exercise. The arrangement on the right is made from a disused guinea pig run - nicely protected from the weather and ideal for those first few months.
• Alternatively - and particularly during fine weather - a pen made up of “exterior” quality panels which plug into the lawn, is very acceptable. For the sake of your lawn, pick a new site each day.
• At 3 months, start daily walks on a “non-extending”lead .... and on a good “firm” surface - a road? - for about 200 - 300 yards, gradually building up the distance to, at 6 months, about 600 - 800 yards. This provides an opportunity to introduce your dog the outside world of traffic, people - and the general noises of everyday life. If a car is coming past, kneel and gently “re-assure” your puppy. Try to look at it from its level. There’s this enormous and noisy “animal - type - thing” rushing towards it! Apart from being loving, it also helps to establish you as a caring “Pack Leader”.
• If - when out walking - your puppy stops and sits down, it’s almost certainly overdone it and will need to be carried home.
• Never allow your puppy free running with an older dog - it will try to keep up! By all means let them meet and play for 5 - 10 minutes, but keep it within the pen or a small confined area - under your ever watchful eye - see .
• Avoid stairs - there’s nothing worse for a puppy’s hips and elbows than allowing it to run up and down stairs. If you want it upstairs, carry it up - and - down again. Speaking frankly - I would avoid them altogether - until it’s at least 2 years old!
• At 6 months, ... free running should be moderate at first - say 10-15 minutes per day, on that “ firm” surface. Swimming is excellent exercise - just be careful about how it gets in  and out of the water. Steep, muddy banks are definitely “not good”.
• At 9 months, ....remembering all that we’ve said so far, walks on the lead can build up to 1mile;  free running can go up to 30 minutes.......on that “ firm” surface!
• If you can do all these things - then at 12-15 months your young dog should be healthy, fully developed, and, with proper training, will happily travel much further than you’d dream of - love it - and come back for more.

We can’t overstress the importance of being careful for that first year!

Just in passing .......

• Never allow your dog to remain cold, wet and tired  after a swim or walk in the rain.
• Towel dry as best you can - not forgetting the ears (be gentle with the insides) and the tail - not forgetting the root.
• Never allow your dog to have vigorous exercise - just before or after a meal - you or I would get indigestion - it could be fatal for your dog!
• Up until it’s 12 - 14 months old - don’t allow it to jump up or down from the back of the car - it’s bad for its hips and elbows.