Young Danes and Running

[Boobearsmom]

Boo will me 9 months old the end of this month and I'd like to be able to do more exercise with her besides just a walk.  I know that her bones are still growing and I believe I've heard or read somewhere that you shouldn't really "exercise" them till at least a year old.  Is this true?  Would it be a bad idea to take her on a run with me?  I'm trying to get my fat butt in shape for summer and  would like her to come along.  Any ideas?

[GR8DAME]

One of the threads lately got a little sidetracked into exercise for young dogs, and I think the consensus was not more than 1 minutes per week of age , up to one hour/1 year old. But that was just walking, not running. Hopefully whoever posted that will catch this and correct me if my memory is faulty.
Personally I will not run my dogs until they are over a  year, other than what little trotting they do for heeling work in training class and home workouts. Everything I have read stressed keeping strain off of those developing joints.
Stella

[cricket36580]

I think it would depend a great deal on how you run.  If you run like me, there absolutely shouldn't be a problem...but then if you catch me running ANYWHERE you had better come too cause it means there is something really serious behind me!!!      If you're a serious runner, it probably wouldn't be a good idea.  Also, it depends on the terrain and the length of the run.  But either way, don't just start running.  Boo needs to work into it a little at a time or the stress will be WAY more than is good for him.  If he's not been allowed to do anything more than walk, ever, then not only does he not have the muscle, he doesn't have the cartilidge developement neccessary for ANY hard activity.

[Boobearsmom]

One of the threads lately got a little sidetracked into exercise for young dogs, and I think the consensus was not more than 1 minutes per week of age , up to one hour/1 year old. But that was just walking, not running. Hopefully whoever posted that will catch this and correct me if my memory is faulty.
Personally I will not run my dogs until they are over a  year, other than what little trotting they do for heeling work in training class and home workouts. Everything I have read stressed keeping strain off of those developing joints.
Stella

Thanks Stella.  I guess she's gonna be left out of it till the end of June then.  I tried working out at home but every time I tried to do crunches, she'd stand over me, whine and try and lick my face.  Apparently she likes her mom fat and happy.

[GreatDanz]

IMO, no giant breed dog should be run on hard pavement, I would stick to dirt paths or grass.  I definitely would not run them as forced exercise until after 2 years, that's when bone growth is pretty much finished.

It's just not worth the wear and tear on the joints and bones to lose patience and do it too early.

[longshadowfarms]

This one?

http://www.bigpawsonly.com/index.php/topic,8603.msg107394.html#msg107394

One of the threads lately got a little sidetracked into exercise for young dogs, and I think the consensus was not more than 1 minutes per week of age , up to one hour/1 year old. But that was just walking, not running. Hopefully whoever posted that will catch this and correct me if my memory is faulty.
Personally I will not run my dogs until they are over a  year, other than what little trotting they do for heeling work in training class and home workouts. Everything I have read stressed keeping strain off of those developing joints.
Stella

[GR8DAME]

If that wasn't it, that is close enough, and great information. Thanks,longshadowfarms!
Stella

[schelmischekitty]

i second  cricket when it was said if you catch me running you'd best be going with me, BUT on another note, i know if i'm running as fast as i can (i'm 5'2) my dane puppy and akita are still walking...  i guess that's just proof that i'm a really slow runner...  we stick to walking, it's less embarrassing than to be seen running full speed with my dogs walking at a leisurely pace.     just as a side note, though, my dane puppy is already putting his nose up in the air, and it's almost shoulder high on me, same with axle...