Environmental Factors that affect growing puppies - Golden Retriever growth plates are usually closed by 18 months of age.
Running up and downstairs
Jumping out of an SUV without guidance
Jumping on & off the sofa or bed
Jogging, running along side bicycles
Catching Frisbees or balls in the air
Climbing steep terrain
Overweight
Spayed or Neutered to young
Rough housing with larger dogs
Slippery surfaces
Three
Rivers Kennel Club
Feb 6, 2022
This is
something everyone should see.
When you
get your 8/10 week old puppies, please keep this image in mind. Their 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 with 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 during this period you don't give them a chance to grow properly.
Every big jump or excited bouncing run causes impacts 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 lounge or bed, take them for long
walks/hikes, you are damaging that forming joint. When you let the puppy
scramble on tile with no traction you are damaging the joint.
You only
get the chance to grow them once. A well built body is something that comes
from excellent breeding and a great upbringing-BOTH, not just one.
Once grown
you will have the rest of their life to spend playing and engaging in higher
impact exercise. So keep it calm while they're still little baby puppies and
give the gift that can only be given once.
Immunovet
New Zealand Ltd.
July 28,
2021
By Patricia
Crespo
Photos Veteriankey.com @62 days
*Many Bones
are not fully fused until 13mo of age.