Exercise with pup

[dobeberfrau]

I have been told by the first vet that I have take Phoebe to not to run her full tilt until she is at least 18 months old. One of the reasons I have a dobe is because of their energy and would like to be able to bike/ run and rollerblade with her. Has anyone heard of this...am I seeing the wrong vet? One of the other things mentioned by this vet were her predominent lymphnodes but they were both the same size, is this just due to the dogs stature. The vet had later in our conversation said they do not really see any dobes. :confused:

[Dobs4ever]

As in all creatures big and small you have to wait til the bones in the knees are closed before doing real strenuous exercise - is their growth plates - it can lead to hip displysia if pushed too hard too fast as well as kneew and joint problems. You can go for short jogs with resting in between but your vet is correct. Especially if you are jogging on a hard surface - this really tears things up that are not set yet.

[FL_dobes]

I've heard that waiting until the dog is at least 18 mo before doing any lengthy road work with them. Short runs on soft terrain is good.

Not sure about the predominant lymph node thing... the only time I've ever seen or felt noticeable lymph nodes was due to illness. That was our first sign that anything was wrong.

[Sue J]

Our vet recommends no forced strenous runs until 18 mo. as well. Wish I could help on the lymph node but no experience in that one. Did the vet give you any info on it or did he just mention it? What about giving him a call to talk about it.

[RKCM]

The 18 mo rule is what my vet says too, but I thought it was more about a forced run. When our dog was a puppy, we allowed her to exercise and run. We have a two 1-acre fenced areas and she loved the freedom. We didn't run etc with her, as she had way more energy than I did. Her hips at 2 were good so the exercise wasn't a bad thing. I think forced walks etc on young dog is more the meaning.

Do you agree? just wondering...?

[Dobs4ever]

RKCm you are correct - In a free run the dog chooses to run and can stop at anytime it begins to tire them or become uncomfortable. In a forced run they have no options but to follow onward. That is when the problems arise on young undeveloped joints and bones.

[dobeberfrau]

I'm sure my patience to wait will benefit her in the long run....no pun intended. We do have very short jogs together and try to keep her on the grass as her pads would still be very soft.
Tonight I have appt. with another vet who I know has at least one other doberman patient so I will see what he says about the lymph nodes.
Thanks all, I really appreciate your wealth of knowlege.

[Sue J]

please let us know what the vet says about Phoebe's lymph nodes.

[RKCM]

As you can see with my avatar, our puppy enjoys playing with the rope toy and jump. It's just her passion. She doesn't jump on you but to get the rope. Is this not reccommended? Always have played this way and never had one fail OFA, but would hate to hurt my baby....what do ya'll think?