I am trying to understand the concept of growth plates and what types of physical activities a 16 week old puppy can engage in safely. In particular I am wondering about jumping on and off to a 8 inch high pause table for a 35 lbs lab. I also have constructed several bar jumps from PVC that I can place as low at 3 inches. I work with the puppy for 3-5 minutes 1-2 times a day and he loves it. But that doesn't necessarily make it the right thing to be doing.

My current understanding is that there are many growth plates and that they fuse/bond at different schedules in the development of the puppy. Hence, I'm trying low jumps and only a few minutes a day. Is this reasonable?

Edited by Andrew Hess (10/27/2008 02:09 PM)
Edit reason: grammar

Andrew -

Although I do not have an answer for you I can relate an experience I had with you. A few months ago, I was informed my puppy had a torn CCL (Canine Cruciate Ligament), I took him to the orthopedic surgeon and he showed me the puppy's x-ray and the growth plates and lack of seating were obvious as he pointed them out to me. After discussing this with him, he advised me that no prolonged rigorous exercise such as running should be done until the growth completes (usually somewhere around a year to 14 months). As far as I know this is not an exact science, but better to be safe than sorry, you will have years to train your dog, only once will his bones be in this fragile/crucial state. Let them set, and work basic OB until then.

-Al

Andrew,
my GSD puppy is just over 6 months old. at 5 months old he separated a growth plate below his elbow. it was a hairline wider than the rest of the normal separations. after rads, he had to wear a hard splint from top of shoulder to tip of toes for 3 weeks, which was NOT fun for anyone.... the splint came off 2 wks ago. of course his leg was weak and his pastern was down and he had pancake-paw--it was hard to look at. he was on leash activity only for 2 weeks and i was *just* released Friday to SLOWLY start some free-exercise, but very limited, low key stuff and no Orbee or ball chasing yet. his leg is now about 90% the same as the other one in appearance but it still needs to strengthen.
when he injured it he was galloping full speed and his LF hit a slight low spot and he "stuck" for a fraction of a second, turned to come back and was limping. just like that.

its scary and the research i did says that there is no RULE as to when they close. it varies with individiual dog regardless of breed or size. the only way the info i read says you can know they are closed for sure is to xray periodically. i agree with Al above---better to be ultra conservative than sorry later.

jen

I think it's safe to say that most anything your pup is doing naturally and doing by himself is probably OK.

When/If you are making him do things...running on hard surfaces for long distances, or jumping...then you're in a grey area. Like Al said, it's not an exact science, each dog is different, and no one knows how much is too much.