PUPPY JOINTS AND BONES
(These recommendations should always be discussed with your veterinarian.)
"When you get your 8 to 10-week-old puppies, please keep these images in mind. Although this photo is a very young puppy, it’s to show how much has yet to be formed. The bones do not even touch yet. They plod around so cutely with big floppy paws and wobbly movement because their joints are entirely made up of muscle, tendons, ligaments, and skin covering. Nothing is fitting tightly together or has a true socket yet.
When you run them excessively or don’t restrict their exercise to stop them from overdoing it you don’t give them a chance to grow properly. Every big jump or excited, bouncing run causes impact between the bones. In reasonable amounts this is not problematic and is the normal wear and tear that every animal will engage in. But when you’re letting puppy jump up and down off the couch or bed, or take them for long walk/hikes, you are damaging that forming joint. When you let the puppy scramble on tile with no traction you are damaging the joint."
"Puppies' bones and joints are still developing until they are at least 18-24 months old. Too much exercise or walking can severely damage their bone and joint structures irreversibly. This should be taken seriously.
Things to avoid with your puppy:
*No jumping in or out of car, especially larger cars. This is because all the weight is on the puppy’s front legs and elbow joints as he lands. Lift the dog or use a ramp.
*No throwing balls or frisbee great distances for your puppy to chase. The sudden stopping and overreaching with the front legs is dangerous.
*No agility, jumping or flyball before 2-3 years old.
*Do not let other dogs knock or push the puppy over continually, includes body-
slamming.
*Avoid much stair climbing which can increase the risk of dysplasia.
*No fast turns or roll-overs"
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