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Be puppywise...

Pilot as a puppyGetting a new puppy for agility can be really exciting, but it's to keep in mind that, along with all the fun and excitement of training a new dog, we have a responsibility to ensure that it grows into happy and healthy adult. Canine and equine Chiropractor Petra Langen-Pieters wrote this article for her Equine & Canine newsletter, reminding people how important puppy development is.

Our first obligation is to make sure that our puppy gets the correct nutrition and exercise to allow it to grow into a happy and fit dog regardless of whether they do agility or not.

One critical aspect of a puppy's health is the skeletal system which is fundamentally different from that of an adult dog. By understanding how a puppy's skeletal system works, you can ensure they get what they need at the right time for growth and development.

Growth plates
The long bones have areas called physis or growth plates that are made of cartilage, which turns into bone as the puppy grows, leading to an increase in bone length. Once the bone reaches adult size, the growth plate closes, and any damage to the growth plate can cause premature closure, which can be a problem if the puppy has not yet reached his adult size.

The rate at which a puppy's growth plates close depends on whether he is a small breed or a large breed dog. The growth plates of bones in small breeds begin to close from about three months of age and usually all close by 12 months of age. In contrast, the growth plates of bones in large breeds only start to close at about five months of age and may take up to 18 months to close entirely. These closed growth plates (or physeal lines) can be seen on an X-ray.

Sunnie De Pass' puppy ClovisNutrition
Because large breed puppies take longer to reach skeletal maturity, it's crucial to feed them the correct diet until at least 18 months of age, after which they can switch to an adult diet.

Feeding your puppy a diet formulated for their age and breed is vital, since puppies require a higher level of minerals and nutrients as their bodies are still growing. Calcium and phosphorus are two of the most important minerals for bone health, and their ratio is critical. If a large breed puppy's diet has an incorrect ratio, it can lead to long bones growing too quickly, weakening both the bones and the joints.

Hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs, like the Great Dane, St. Bernard, Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, improper weight and unbalanced nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.

Specially formulated diets for large breed puppies help prevent excessive growth, which can lead to skeletal disorders such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and other joint conditions. Slowing down these breeds' growth allows their joints to develop without putting too much strain on them, helping to prevent problems down the line.

Obesity puts a lot of stress on your dog's joints, which can also exacerbate a pre-existing condition such as hip dysplasia or even cause hip dysplasia. To keep your puppy's bones healthy and strong throughout his life, you should feed him the correct diet according to his age and breed. Feeding it the correct quantities and ratios of high-quality nutrients (proteins, minerals and carbohydrates) that its breed requires, is essential.

Clovis playingActivity levels
Starting agility exercises too soon can lead to trauma in the growth plates again exacerbating genetic predisposition to developmental joint issues as well as affecting normal growth in all puppies. It's crucial not to expose your puppy to too much strenuous exercise before he reaches skeletal maturity. Veterinarians recommend training small breed dogs from a young age to use steps to climb onto and off furniture to avoid fractures. Exercise is essential for puppies though, but it should be done in moderation and using the right techniques. By understanding how to exercise your puppy correctly, you can help it  build strong, healthy bones.

There are a few things you can do to keep your puppy safe while they're exercising:-

  • Limit high impact exercise such as jumping, twisting and skidding.

  • Keep exercise sessions short and allow them to rest as much as they need.

  • If you notice them getting tired but not stopping to rest, pop them on their lead and take them out of the situation to recover for a few minutes.

  • Cover any slippery floors in your home to protect their joints.

  • Avoid long walks, hikes and activities such as running and cycling until they are fully grown and always build their fitness up slowly.

About the author
Petra Langen-
Pieters BHSAI EBW DC has studied Chiropractic extensively and, in addition to being a Doctor of Chiropractic, she holds an Honours Degree in Animal Science from Nottingham University. Her training in Animal Chiropractic was completed in America with certification by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. She also has certification by the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association and the British Veterinary Chiropractic Association.

She is also a Chiropractor for people.

Petra is based at the Addlestone Chiropractic Clinic in Addlestone, Surrey but can travel as far as Berkshire, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and West Sussex.


For more information, ring Petra Langen-Pieters on 07787 514271 or 01932 857782.

Feedback

Sunnie De Pass Instructor PDTI
Over the past nine years that I have been running Puppy Fundamental and Obedience classes, one of the questions I’m most asked about is exercise. How long can I walk my puppy at 12/16 weeks etc? How do I tire my puppy out? It has so much energy. Something as fundamental to a pups’ needs as exercise and the impact of overdoing the walks, running with puppies and rewarding the jumping up/standing onto their back legs can have an impact on their soft growing skeletons.

So many people who come to my classes are not aware of the 'five minute rule' - five minutes exercise for each month. Many will walk 10 minutes to the local park, watch their pup run about for 30 minutes or so and then walk them home again. Some will ask me “Why does my puppy just sit down on the road, on zebra crossings etc when we are out walking? The simple reply of 'your puppy is tired, you’ve over walked him/he' often brings a look of puzzlement as they begin to realise the limitations, their pups’ needs and their human expectations.

Sunnie De Pass runs Archway Dogs in London.

Photo credits: Sunnie De Pass and Maria Johnston

First published in Equine & Canine Summer 2024 newsletter
Kindly reposted with permission of the author on 9th September 2024

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