I haven't had him xrayed yet...he's almost 15 months now. What is the best age to get them done? I know they have to be done before 22 months but I thought the longer I waited the better???

 Quote: robbinmann

Carole, So you think that maybe he isn't getting enough exercise?

Other than once a day ball running, retrieving, tugging, the only other exercise he gets is his once a week PP training.

Well, he does go up and down stairs too! Although, I never use them for playing w/him. Too afraid of hip issues.

You think I should start doing more up/downhild exercises?

Hi Robbin. I can relate to what you are saying WRT a dog who seems to have a high running metabolism. Our Kimba tends to stay thin - and we have ruled out any "minor" issues (relatively) such as parasites or "major" issues such as something like EPI. Our normal feeding program for all of the dogs is once per day. Given the quantity of food she eats at THAT feeding, we supplement her program with 1 cup of Honest Kitchen at a second daily feeding - for her. I believe that is much better for her than kibble at a second meal, and it seems to do the trick keeping her from going too lean. (and I'm all about keeping the dogs on the lean side)

Just a thought about Honest Kitchen rather than kibble.

Conditioning is such a good thing for these dogs. I saw your posts about jogging. Have you considered biking? That's another alternative. If you are interested, I would be happy to share (as I'm sure others would too) how we conditioned our male GSD for the AD test - which is biking for the human, and gaiting for the dog. The distance is 20km or about 12 miles.

There are many opinions about hip X-rays. There are some requirements - i.e. a breeder contract, a requirement to enter a show or event, etc. But absent any requirements, it's up to you when and if you do it, and why. I've been through the X-ray process, and have some opinions about it - supported by my trainer. PM me if you are interested in that 2 cents worth.

While I just got done sharing what we have done with our perpetually thin dog using Honest Kitchen, I am as always, interested other input!

Beth

Beth, would you mind posting your conditioning regimen for the AD on the Conditioning Training thread? I think that's something lots of folks could benefit from even if they never plan to do an AD.

 Quote: Cindy Easton Rhodes

Beth, would you mind posting your conditioning regimen for the AD on the Conditioning Training thread? I think that's something lots of folks could benefit from even if they never plan to do an AD.

I will be happy to. I'm busy collecting Gary's notes along with my own recollections as an observer in terms of how we conditioned our dogs for this - and important SMALL details along the way. I will post something tomorrow - for whatever it's worth! And our learning about the AD conditioning is due to the coaching of Cindy Jones-Petersen (Kimba) and Dave Blank (Ferguson).

Beth

 Quote: Cindy Easton Rhodes

Beth, would you mind posting your conditioning regimen for the AD on the Conditioning Training thread? I think that's something lots of folks could benefit from even if they never plan to do an AD.

OK..the novel is here. http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=173618&page=0#Post173618

Make sure to pack a lunch. Sorry I used up so much bandwidth!

Beth