From the website, petmed.com, here’s a good article…

“How Much Exercise is Too Much for My Puppy?

I actually get variations of this question a lot (it was even the first question I got on Purely Puppy). When can I jog with my puppy?  How far can my puppy walk/jog?  When can I start agility training for my puppy?

I usually stumble through some kind of vague answer involving letting the puppy set the pace and not overdoing it. Turns out, after a search of VIN (Veterinary Information Network), many vets do exactly what I do.

My search yielded cold hard answers, though. (I told you I would learn through this blog too!) Incidentally, the question was even in the “Medical FAQ” section of VIN’s website, so I’m definitely not the only one asking.

Anyhow, the VIN consultants (a consortium of boarded veterinary specialists) point out that there is no “hard and fast” answer. However, there is evidence to support that there is an increase in the severity and incidence of elbow dysplasia and OCD in dogs who experienced “forced exercise” before their growth plates closed. Note that OCD is not obsessive compulsive disorder! Clients usually look shocked and laugh uncomfortably when joint OCD, which stands for Osteochondritis Dessicans, comes up. OCD is basically growth abnormalities in the cartilage that can cause lameness.

Forced exercise is defined as “anything beyond what the dog would engage in with dogs of the same age.” Gentle play time with other like aged puppies? A-OK. Running around with adult dogs, meanwhile, is bad (the puppy will overdo it trying to keep up with the big guys). Fence-running, excessive ball/stick/Frisbee chasing, and jogging with the owner are considered “forced exercise,” too. (Does the concept of doggie “forced exercise” bring to mind little army puppies in camo gear doing forced “boot camp” runs with little rifles over their heads, or is it just me?)

When it comes to agility training, Joni L. Freshman, veterinarian and agility expert, says she doesn’t start “any jumping training, any weave poles or any contact (climbing) obstacles until the growth plates are closed as well.”

In large breed dogs, the growth plates close generally around 12 months of age. The recommendation, according to VIN’s Medical FAQ Exercising Puppies, is “waiting until these dogs are 12-15 months old [will] allow the owner to enjoy many more years of exercising with their pets by allowing adequate skeletal development.”

So there’s the scoop.”

Dr. Vivian Carroll

Sadly, we’re heading into another stretch of subzero temperatures.  It was 30 degrees this AM, but the temps are headed downward.  17 degrees below zero is predicated for tonight.

We had the puppies out a lot yesterday while the weather was “warm”, but that window of opportunity is closing up today.  The shot above is from yesterday – Chev and Finley were out in the yard while Barley and Xupe were in the “potty” area.  Finley loves playing with the puppies when we put them together.  Chev wags his tail at them and gives a low daddy growl.

Gentle reminder:  Have you checked your puppies’ nails?  I found that Barley and Xupe were ready for trims this weekend.  I nipped just the little “hooks” off the tips of their nails while they were napping, still using a typical human nail clipper from the drugstore.

Everything I’ve read indicates that it’s very helpful if you regularly handle your puppies’ paws and nails when you’re playing/snuggling with them and clip their nails just a bit each time, getting them accustomed to the process.  We did this while they were with us.   I don’t know why others don’t recommend that you do the clipping while they’re snoozing, but I’ve found it’s the very easiest way.  The puppy may awaken a little and shift about, but it’s generally very easy to get all their nails in one or two nap times.   The nails seem to be ready for a little nipping every 10 days or so.

There are plenty of websites that provide videos and even cross-sections of the nail’s anatomy.  Here’s a screen shot from one website.

Here is Barley (formerly Number 7), taken today during a “potty” break and later, out in the yard with a pigeon (white pigeon in cage) that Biff set up for the dogs to experience.

Here are a couple of shots of Xupe (pronounced zupe).  Yes, it’s a weird name, pulled from the middle of his kennel name, Antoine de Saint Exupery, the author of The Little Prince, one of my favorite books.  He’s had the good company of his brother, Barley, who will be with us just another week before moving to his home in New York.

There doesn’t seem to be a Griff anywhere that doesn’t love the snow!

Aya, who lives in Upper Peninsula Michigan, has a “sister” who already appears to love her.  It looks like she naps on her own at times, too.

The puppies sure appear to be good at lounging.  Here is Dutch at home in “his” chair.  I’ve got a couple more pictures to post, but they’re just not quite loading for me tonight.  Stay tuned and I’ll get more up soon.

Here’s an update about Stache, from his new home…

“Just an update that Stache is adjusting beautifully here in Stillwater!!!  He is sleeping great, going to the bathroom outside and eating well, too.  We are so very, very, very happy to have him in our family!!!!”

Woody (Number 8) and Chesny (Number 11) both appear to be settling into home life darn well.  It doesn’t hurt that they’ve both got adoring children caring for them.  Here are some shots we received today.  Woody is in the first two shots.  The second two are Chesny.  (Send me photos and stories at pattiroseloftus@gmail.com if you’re willing to have them posted.  Biff doesn’t always get everything forwarded to me from his email.)

We were down to 2 puppies after “Chesny” (aka Number 11) left with his family Sunday morning.  Here they are just before they headed back to Manitoba with their new family member.

Dutch’s (above) and Jazzy’s (below) families sent these photos of their puppies at home.  We heard that Atz had a successful flight to Denver and Chesney (the last pup to depart) left here this morning for Manitoba.  All reports are that the “potty training” is going pretty well.  We’re thinking about you all.  Right now Numbers 7 and 2 (Barley and Xupe) are downstairs playing in a space that now seems a little lonely with so many of their littermates gone.  Biff had the two of them outside for a while today and they’ve had some playtime with mommy Finley, so they’re fine.

We welcome photos and stories of your adventures with your puppies.  I’ve got a couple of packed weeks at school and may not get things posted every day, but I will continue to add to this blog as often as I can.  Feel free to share tips if you find something really works for you that other families might want to try.  I can post them, too.