- Keep them lean – it’s ok to feel ribs on puppies!
- Keep play session short and on flooring that has excellent traction.
- Keep “4 on the floor” – restrict jumping to avoid injury to fragile growth plates.
- Do more frequent short walks rather than one or two longer walks – 10-15 minutes is perfect 3-4 times per day until 5-6 months of age.
- Wait to take your puppy on “runs” until they are 12 months of age.
- FULL physical maturity/strength and coordination doesn’t really happen until 18 -24 months of age for most medium to large breeds.
- Teach them how to use their bodies by enrolling in suitable training classes.
- Choose mental games over physical activity to help them settle. Wearing them out with physical activity will increase the likelihood of orthopedic disease.
- Use a tick preventative to reduce the likelihood of tick-born disease.
- Start your puppies on joint supplements as recommended by your veterinarian.
- Keep them lean.
- Avoid weekend warrior activity.
- Avoid the “tired dog is a good dog” mentality.
- Put the ‘chuck-it’ away for good. Hard stops and turns are a sure way to increase the likelihood shoulder and knee injury.
- Keep them from skidding out on slick surfaces.
- Select appropriate activity for your breed. Mountain biking is probably reasonable if you have a German Shorthair and not a Bernese Mountain Dog.
- Use top quality joint health supplements such as Dasuquin and Fish Oil like Welactin.
- Allow for recovery/rest time after intense activity.
- Have them evaluated annually by a veterinarian who can check for orthopedic pain/discomfort.
- If you see your dog limping after rest you should consider a visit to an orthopedic specialist or a physical rehabilitation practitioner.
