I was reading on the PennHip Post where it was briefly stated that young dogs shouldn't have a lot of exercise because of their soft, developing bones.

My 8 month old Rottweiler is VERY ACTIVE. I don't want to risk hurting his developing bones, but he really REALLY needs something to keep him busy each day.

What kind of exercise would be safe and how much? Any suggestions for games/activities he can do without hurting those growing bones?

We don't have access to swimming so thats out - but any other suggestions are welcome!

Hello. This message is not a reply, but is
another general health question. I have a 5
month old GSD whose ears still half-stand.
Yesterday I took him to the vet, who taped the ears. My comment is - when the vet taped the two ears together (crossbar of tape approx 5") it looks like this would "train" the ears to fall together over the head, vs. standing straight up. Why do they (vet)pull them together over the head?
The vet wanted to glue them together, literally, but I said no, I wanted them taped. Anyone have good experience with a
certain taping method?
Thanks, Eloise <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Eloise,

By pulled together do you mean touching? If so then it is wrong. Ed has a wonderful article, with pictures, of how to do it. I would have one suggestion that is a little different. There is a tape we call Coban in medicine, they also use it on horses legs, it does not have a lot of glue on it. It works by streching a little bit and sticks when it is released. It is easier to take off than a tape with glue. I have used the micro-pore tape before and had trouble getting it to stick. They have changed the formula for the glue to reduce allergies in people and it doesn't seem to stick as well as it used to. The glue on silk tape sticks too good and is hard to get off a puppies ears. I have used a cloth tape to create the cross bar between the ears. You don't care how well it sticks to the tape on the ears. Be careful not to strech the coban too far when attaching it as you can get it so tight it will alter the circulation. In medicine we also use it to create pressure dressings to stop arterial bleeding in some cases. In some cases when you take it off it will have a tendancy to roll rather than come off easily or you can't get a hold of the end to unwrap it. I use some blunt tipped tipped scissors to slide between the tape and the ear and cut it off.

Have fun. If you are using a tape with good glue, don't cry too much taking it off. It is one reason I am moving to a breed that doesn't get it's ears cropped

I don't have a fenced yard so I biked Auster for some of her exercise at that age. It's supposed to be good for the dogs because they are pulling you and the bike so it strengthens the muscles but does not put any more weight on the hips. I've heard the same thing about carting but I haven't tried it.

Biking the dog when they are on pavement can be bad for the joints, though. I didn't risk it and made Auster run on the side of the road while I kept the bike on the edge of the road. I used a harness on her for the bike attachment and a 4-foot leash on her collar for control. She learned "this side" very quickly and only went on the other side of a mailbox once (I dropped the leash when I saw what was happening).

Carting and pulling should never be done with young dogs. It puts too much stress on joints and bones. The recomendation for these activities is not to start until the dog is completely grown, generally at 1 1/2-2 years depending on the breed and individual dog. You can do some very light pulling exercises to teach the dog to do the commands and follow the directions, but very light weights. Like a small section of 2x4 or light milk jug with water in it.

I posted on a different topic but need more info.
Our dog (GS mix) is about 7 months and we feed her a natural diet. She has been on this diet for about a month and now she is shedding (HANDFULS ) Literally you can pull out handfuls. Is this detox? normal shedding? or something wrong? She is not bald anywhere, but even the short undercoat (which is all she has left on the sides and hips) is coming out. She is not long haired normally but the only top coat that she has left is the "hackles" down from head to tail.

Should we be concerned?
Jo Ann

So sorry. I just realized I posted to the wrong topic. I thought I was in the general section not the exercise section.

Soooo sorry.
Jo Ann

Jo ann, Have you had the ve do a skin scrape to rule out demodex? I think you mentioned that in another post and it can come back after being treated (the mites live on every dog and only cause problems when there are many more than normal so even if the dog was treated there is the possibility of it coming back).

Richard, thanks for the info. Does this apply to both two and four wheeled carts (with light pulling)? Just curious since it didn't harm Auster to pull the bike around (her idea, not mine <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ).

There is a pet supply company JB Wholesale that has a no tape method for ears using skin bond and mole foam. It works very well for Boxers and APBT's when cropped. I don't know if it would work on a shepherd but it is worth looking into. They can be found on the web, give them a call. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Lauren,

The weight is the issue. There is a company called Dog Works that specializes in carting, sleding, and skijouring. They sell a good little book on carting and teaching it. The recomendation they make is not to have the dog pull much weight prior to the full growth being set. If I rember correctly the recomendation ws no more than aroung 10 lbs for an immature dog. They build up quickly once they get going. For a mature dog they recomend a tire with an eye-bolt to get the dog used to the weight. If you do this be prepared to be stopped about every 2 blocks and be accused of fighting your dog, LOL. It did get a little crazy until the neighborhood saw the wagon I use now.