Author Topic: The vet's opinion on exercising Sophie- your opinions?  (Read 7618 times)

Offline Binky

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The vet's opinion on exercising Sophie- your opinions?
« on: April 15, 2008, 10:57:30 am »
I asked the vet about exercising Sophie (12 week old Leo) and he said I can walk her for as much as I want as long as there's no running and no hills.  I know I have to be careful about her joints but the vet said that as long as exercise is low impact, it's OK.  We usually walk on dirt roads or in the woods- yes, we're in the boonies, so no pavement and I imagine that is less impact.  I just don't want to over-do it with her, but she does have a lot of energy and loves to walk.  I feel bad leaving her behind when I walk the rest of the dogs.  What do you all think?
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Offline patrick

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Re: The vet's opinion on exercising Sophie- your opinions?
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2008, 11:02:50 am »
Your vet has good advice but also the distance you walk is important  We advise no hiking or several mile walks until over 15 months old.

Offline Binky

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Re: The vet's opinion on exercising Sophie- your opinions?
« Reply #2 on: April 15, 2008, 11:38:46 am »
Your vet has good advice but also the distance you walk is important  We advise no hiking or several mile walks until over 15 months old.
  Is one mile ok or is that still too much?  Thank you!
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Offline dog lover

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Re: The vet's opinion on exercising Sophie- your opinions?
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2008, 01:31:04 am »
Hiya
 I have a leo girl , she is 18 months old now and doing great.

 All i can offer advice wise is what i have been told over the last couple of years.
1.
 Untill the age of 18 months leo's are not to free run , they can walk on lead , but it is advised not allow her to run along side your other dogs off lead.
2.
 Leonbergers should not be allowed to go up and down stairs
3.
 Leos have no brakes lol , they use thier bodies usually to stop, Callie is always banging into doors, walls etc...,it is easy for them to jolt thier spine  and or twist the muscle in thier back legs. This i know because callie had a slight turn when she walked so we took her to a chiropractor ( a doggy one lol ), and she had both of the above things i mentioned , glad to say a couple of visits and she is perfect now.
4.
 Leo's just love to be with the family , just be aware of how far you walk her , up the amount little by little just to be on the safe side

Hope that helps
Tracey



Amber our liver spot dalmatian passed away after 14.5 years r.i.p.
Ben our 9 year old rescue golden retriever
Callie our 18 month old Leonberger.
Troy our 8 week old leonberger.

Offline chicko1985

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Re: The vet's opinion on exercising Sophie- your opinions?
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2008, 12:17:51 pm »
I think you get different opinions from a lot of people. I was told that you should just let them self exercise, so take them to a park and just let them play/run as they will stop when they are tierd.

Offline sc.trojans

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Re: The vet's opinion on exercising Sophie- your opinions?
« Reply #5 on: April 21, 2008, 01:03:17 pm »

There is some concerning advice here so I want to weigh in that the issue for giant breed dogs is not distance or angle (hills etc.) but repetitive motion.  Chicko is right here and what the clinical studies and orthopedic specialists are agree on - walking on leash is the worst thing for such a small pup.  You are controlling the pace and distance and puppies naturally feel compelled to keep pace - instead they should be free to run and stop and run and stop as often as they wish to develop proper muscle tone but avoid the constant repetitive motion of a paced walk.  If you are hiking on a trail and the puppy is off leash, free to stop or gallop ahead - not as big a concern but you want to avoid any repetitive motion - whether walking, trotting or running for too long a distance.

1 mile would be too far for a 12 week old and they usually should be up to this distance until about 6 months of age.

The vet advice to avoid hills is totally incorrect and in conflict with Board certified orthopedists - if done carefully, it is an essential part of building muscle tone and conditioning.  Going uphill is very valuable and essential - going downhill should be carefully managed if not avoided and this is what is hard on joints so no running downhill for example.

If in doubt, look at the advice from Board certified orthopedists who work with performance dogs - they have the most experience with developing puppies.

I just push a wagon or dog stroller so that my young puppies can participate but easily be picked up and strolled for portions that are too long/far so they get proper breaks and not going the full distance.



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Offline shangrila

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Re: The vet's opinion on exercising Sophie- your opinions?
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2008, 01:30:00 pm »
If I were you I would take her on a seperate shorter walk alone so she doesn't have to go as far and can go at her own pace, but still gets some light excersize and bonding time with you.
RIP former BPO

Offline Binky

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Re: The vet's opinion on exercising Sophie- your opinions?
« Reply #7 on: April 25, 2008, 07:33:33 pm »
Thanks for the feedback everyone-but you can see why I am confused.  So many conflicting ideas!  Our breeder told us no stairs until we physically can't carry her up and down, no steep hills, no jogging or running.
I have been taking her for shorter walks than the rest of the crew.  If I try to get her to self exercise, she doesn't do much, but when we get into the house, she's a terror-running around, wrestling the others, etc. so she really needs a walk to get that energy out.  I suppose I'll just watch to make sure she isn't lagging behind, but I have yet to see her get too tired- she is a crazy leash puller despite my training so I am looking forward to starting obedience class!
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Offline mastiffmomoftwo

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Re: The vet's opinion on exercising Sophie- your opinions?
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2008, 09:04:44 am »
I have NO experience with Leo's!
I can only tell you that with Beau I was told to be very careful.
Too much exercise is not good for the giants.
I used to take him into the front yard and play chase!
Not me chasing him (didn't want him to run away instead of coming to me especially when older) but him chasing me.
I would go hide behind a tree or rock and yell out "follow me!"
Then he would be all over the place looking for me.  I would run when he found me and he would follow.  Then of course he got a treat for being a good boy.  I would do about 3 of these a day and maybe just walk him for 10 min at his own pace.
So far so good, he's 2 now and no problems.

I found this web site:  http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/leonbergers.html

Providing the proper balance of exercise. Young Leonbergers need enough exercise to keep them lean and healthy, but not so much that their soft growing bones, joints, and ligaments become over-stressed and damaged. Adult Leonbergers need more exercise to keep them in shape, but not in hot or humid weather for fear of overheating. The proper amount of exercise can be difficult to regulate in giant breeds.

Since you have to minimize their exercise, young Leonbergers can be very rambunctious. They will romp with uncoordinated gawkiness all over your house. You need to substitute extra quantities of companionship and supervision. Otherwise, left alone, young Leonbergers become bored and destructive -- and their powerful jaws can literally destroy your living room.


Chris

(Beau & Luke's Mom)