It seems like just after I took some advice in here and stopped worrying about my little guy's joints, he's given me another reason to worry.

Yesterday he got the zooms, and started doing laps around my apartment. He slipped on the kitchen tiles and crashed to the floor, and was definitely hobbled after that, though he tried to hide it so I'd continue to play with him. I didn't bite and put him in his crate.

I checked him out a bit later after he'd had some time to rest, and he seemed OK. But I didn't take him for his evening walk just to be on the safe side.

So tonight he got his evening walk. And he looked just fine. He pulled and jumped and did normal puppy stuff. At some point I decided we could jog a bit, and he immediately took a spill. Now he's having trouble walking in a straight line and sitting, though it seems to abate above a certain speed.

I've got him in his crate now, and I'm completely deflated. I've been told to trust his own sense of self-preservation, and that doesn't seem to exist. I've been told to stop worrying and just let him be a puppy, but now it looks like taking that approach is going to land me with a prematurely hobbled dog.

How long do I wait before taking him to the vet? When should I be looking for his gait to return to normal, beyond which point I should worry?

If he were mine and still limping in the AM - I'd call the vet. If he is not limping, he would be on a leash at all times for at least 10 days - 2 weeks with no jogging, running, etc... Yes, it would be difficult, but most of us have been there at one time or another. Mind games to keep him occupied and stuff to chew on in his crate (kongs, etc...) Best of luck. Stuff happens whether we worry or not!

Unless it's something obviously amiss, my 'general' rule is I usually give my dogs about three days off (quiet, with minimal exercise) before I start slowly increasing the level and duration expecting to reach full out at about two to three weeks depending on how they progress.

Unless, and I'm saying this with reservations because I can't see the dog move, unless he is obviously hurting tomorrow. Give him a couple of days off before seeing how far he can extend himself, just don't push it, give him time to heal the strain or pull because no, they don't have any sense. You are supposed to supply that.

Otherwise go to the vet.

OK. That is good advice Randy, even more so for the long term. I've been keeping Roger's exercise more limited than I did in the beginning, but it's interesting to know that you do that even w/your robust adults.

Barbara--keeping him on-leash won't be difficult, as he never ever gets off his leash outside. And I mean never. Every incident that's ended in him limping has occurred w/him on the leash. Mom says Dad doesn't slow the baby down enough.

Thanks both of you. Will update thread in the morning if need be.

Randy's advice makes sense.. you will have a better feel in the AM. If he is prone to the zoomies inside, you can keep a line on him in the house as well just to be able to stop any craziness.

I'd give it 3 days at least. Unless he is holding the leg up, in which case I might get an xray, just for peace of mind.

3 days here too. Unless there is no improvement or worsening tomorrow and then off to the vet.

The good news. Puppies heal really well. The not so good news; you can take it with a grain of salt perhaps I'm over cautious but I think you need to control his environment more. Which means in the crate or leashed to me to avoid the zoomies especially if you have flooring other than rug.

In general I prefer short spurts of running to a long steady jog/run until the pup has grown out of his awkward phase. Even if joints and growth plates are ok the young dog is easily distracted by noises, prey (which can be a blowing leaf) and can run into something or step into a hole in the road etc. Jogging requires a lot of attention and I don't think most young dogs are capable of focusing that long.

A short run to you from 10- 20 feet only requires his attention for an instant...much safer IMO. I would play tug and fetch where you can control the distance of the run. Also teaching a dog to consciously use his brain when he moves his body is a great mental and physical work out.

A couple of simple exercises which you can probably safely start in a couple of days unless he is showing signs of pain:

1. Walk in an area where there are narrow paths between trees and have the dog carry an object which is too long to fit between the trees. Let him figure out how he needs to maneuver himself and the object to continue down the path. Encourage him by tossing the object to retrieve if he gives up; that usually reignites the desire to carry the object (for Thor anyway)

2. Find a not too high ledge where you can walk the dog and teach him a little bit about depth perception. No higher than a sidewalk or height he can get hurt on. Walk him along the edge at different speeds; he will probably slip off a couple of times but guarantee after a few attempts, his accuracy will improve.

3. This last one is good for pent up energy in the house. Line up your kitchen chairs with maybe a foot between them and teach him to weave through them (homemade weave poles). This is a great one to teach with marker training. I find it easy to start with a target stick.

Don't worry Ross; this too will pass and he will probably be fine tomorrow.

Been there/done that with my Roger. He gets a Tweak, he has down time, you watch for injury, he heals, he rejoices from the down time, your back to a tweak.

Puppies--like human kids--occasionally get hurt because they have more energy than they do good sense.

But it is okay. Growing bodies heal. You cannot protect your puppy from everything, nor would you want to (would you?). Learning and experiencing the world comes with a few bumps and bruises. But what's the alternative?

I honestly think that you are doing everything right--you are obviously a very concerned and caring pet parent. Stop beating yourself up. You are not going to do anything that will cause him long-term harm because you are being careful. Puppy zoomies don't cause hip dysplasia. Bones and muscles grow and strengthen from use and stress.

 Quote: Tracy Collins

Puppies--like human kids--occasionally get hurt because they have more energy than they do good sense.

But it is okay. Growing bodies heal. You cannot protect your puppy from everything, nor would you want to (would you?). Learning and experiencing the world comes with a few bumps and bruises. But what's the alternative?

I honestly think that you are doing everything right--you are obviously a very concerned and caring pet parent. Stop beating yourself up. You are not going to do anything that will cause him long-term harm because you are being careful. Puppy zoomies don't cause hip dysplasia. Bones and muscles grow and strengthen from use and stress.

Amen