Puppies are not miniature dogs
The first consideration about puppy exercise is something called “growth plates”. Growth plates are soft areas that sit at the end of the long bones in puppies and young dogs. They contain cells that allow bones to become longer until the end of puberty. Grown plates gradually thin as hormonal changes approaching puberty signal the growth plates to close. In puppies, this closure is normally completed approximately completed by 18 months old.
Until the growth plates close, they’re soft and vulnerable to injury. After sexual maturity, the growth plates calcify and the rapid cell division ends. The growth plates become a stable, inactive part of the bone, now known as an epiphyseal line.
Dogs bones are held together with muscles, tendons and ligaments (soft tissue). In an adult dog, if a joint experiences a stress such as bending the wrong way or rotating too much, the bones will hold firm and soft tissue will be pulled, resulting in a sprain or tear. In a puppy, however, his soft tissues are stronger than his growth plates, so instead of a simple sprain, his growth plate is liable to be injured – the puppy’s own soft tissue can pull apart his growth plate.
Why this matters so much, is that unlike a sprain, injuries to the growth plate may not heal properly or not heal in time for the puppy to grow up straight and strong. Injury to a growth plate can result in a misshapen or shortened limb, which creates an incorrect angle to a joint resulting in yet more future injuries when he grows up, including dysplasia.
Puppies are a soft core!
In addition to having a soft growth elates at the end of long bones, puppy’s bones in general are “softer”. Dogs don’t reach their maximum bone density until after puberty.
Spiral fractures of the tibia (lower leg bone) are very common in puppies. More than 50% of fractures occur in puppies under 1 year of age! A spiral fracture is where the bottom half of the bone twists in the opposite direction of the top half. This juvenile injury is known as ‘Toddler Fracture’ in humans. Any exercise that puts torque (twist) on a bone puts the puppy at risk of a fracture. For an example, movements such as twisting and turning suddenly can cause these types of fractures. (On the left a 2 weeks old puppy’s Xray).
Weight and Nutrition
A dog’s fitness and weight also play a role in joint growth and potential for injury. A fit dog is far less prone to injury than a deconditioned, overweight dog, who’s joints are under a lot of stress due to the excess strain placed on them. On the other hand, an underfed or malnourished puppy or dog is also at higher risk of injury. Muscles mass directly influences strength, likewise inadequate calcium and nutrients affect bone density.
Sterilization (De-sexing)
Sterilising young puppies at a young age has shown to increase the risk of joint disorders and injury. Some research suggests that the risk triples if the dog is spayed before reaching sexual maturity, because removing the dog’s sex hormones influences growth and development. We recommend sterilisation occurs between 12- 18 months old for this reason. This recommendation is outlined in our Health Guarantee.
Bubble Puppies do not built bones!
After reading about growth plates and toddler’s fracture, you may find yourself clutching your puppy, afraid to let him move lest he breaks a limb. RELAX!
Not only is appropriate exercise not dangerous for your puppy, exercise has been shown to increase bone density in children and there is every reason to believe the same holds true for dogs. So, appropriate exercise is key to building strong bones i your puppy and preventing adult fracture.
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 over reaching with the front legs is dangerous.
No agility, jumping or flyball before 2 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
Good exercise:
Swimming is great, since there is no weight-bearing impact on their joints.
Walking on leash, for no longer than the recommended length of time for their age
Self-directed play is an overriding rule for any puppy under 18 months old. The majority of exercise should be free play, exploring, and noodling around
Hide and seek games are fantastic, as the dog can move at its own pace looking for its toy or treat or you. It’s great for their mental stimulation and learning
Kibble trail is a learning game in which you hide kibble or small treats along a trail or route and the puppy sniffs them out, this way covering a good amount of ground in a natural way
Playing with a well-matched gentle playmate is ideal. Size is a factor as large dogs can inadvertently injury a young puppy.
Supervised play is critical. Be ready to throw down a handful of kibble to interrupt overly physical play, as body slams and crazy rolls are spiral fractures and torn ligaments waiting to happen.
Toy-tug is ok to play, providing you hold the toy low and the puppy’s neck is in a straight line. Don’t pull on the toy, allow the puppy to tug against you. You need to teach the puppy a release command.
All these games are forms of exercise for puppies and are a great way to help your puppy learn useful lifelong skills and qualities.
What about WALKS?
No more than 5 minutes of walk exercise for every month of age!