I agree with you mini, I guess the arguement is what consitutes 'strenous exercise' - which is when harm to the young growth plates can happen.

Thanks Mini

Hali I think BC in particular are susceptible to OCD so you are wise to take care not to over exercise your puppies ..

As in many other developmental skeletal problems, an imbalance of calories, protein and nutrients can increase the occurrence of OCD. In general, rapid weight gain in puppies at the critical time period between 4-9 months predisposes larger breed dogs to OCD. High intake of calcium and protein has been implicated in the development of this condition. Therefore, care must be taken in feeding young puppies special "growth formula" puppy foods or high protein diets. Puppies need extra calcium and protein but free choice or overfeeding of these diets can be harmful. It is of interest to note that some dog food manufacturers have recently responded to health concerns of dog breeders and owners by formulating puppy foods specifically for large breed dogs.
Since trauma is a contributing factor to the development of OCD, it would be reasonable to monitor exercise in puppies, especially between the ages of 4-9 months. Activities such as excessive running and roughhousing with people or other dogs should be avoided. In addition, puppies shouldn't engage in intense activities that encourage abrupt, fast turns, quick stops, or jumping, especially jumping from heights. Of course puppies need exercise and should be allowed to be reasonably active, but they should also be watched carefully so that they don't do too much or do things that might cause injury

http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache...nk&cd=19&gl=uk

Sorry but I DEFINATELY AGREE with Hali, I've been a BC owner since the age of Ten, I'm now 54, and BC's will go and go and go. When people ask me if a BC makes an ideal pet I say yes BUT you must be of the energetic sort, and know that this breed is NOT for the faint hearted. Skye our youngest isn't yet two, but I have to watch HUBBY with her as he throws the ball continually and Skye being a TRUE BC will run after it NOT MATTER HOW BAD SHE FEELS. So we have a routine once I feel that Skye has had enough I tell him to put the ball in his pocket and she has to just walk then. Reah our 11 year old suffered Multipal Injuries when owned by her previous owner, and I firmly believe that if she hadn't of been a BC she would of given up. She would drag herself along the ground with one good leg (the other three were smashed up along with her pelvis) even the specialist that put her right said 'it's a good job she's a BC their fighter's. We are having a new BC end of Jan but he will not be allowed to exercise to much until he's bigger, they end up with problems with their legs I can assure you, and although the owner may say 'I blame myself@ sometimes the damage is irreversable.

Just wanted to put my "tuppence" worth in here..

I was advised when Cruiser came home to walk him on lead for 5 minutes according to his age.. So it was 5 minutes per month of age, ..he also wasn't meant to jump in and out of the car/van or go up stairs..

He came from an EXCELLENT breeder who has many of her own dogs who are still winning their classes at age 11 and I trust her every word...

Her advice certainly wasn't that of a bad breeder as per your quote Whilst his walks were regulated he was allowed to run about in the garden all day if he wanted to (or at least until play became to boisterous)...so he built up his own fitness there..but I still wouldn't have taken him for really long walks..

Jess not sure that is the right thing to say anywhere not just on Dogsey, whether you got your BC as an experiment in behaviour or anything else, that to me is not a valid reason to obtain a dog of any breed.

Perhaps when concentrating on 'behavioural experiments' when researching BCs you overlooked the advice and information regarding exercise and preventing skeletal problems in dogs.

I think it is difficult to tell if a puppy is reaching the point of physical exhaustion, adrenalin fuelled excitement can easily mask indications of exhaustion and it is up to the owners to ' protect' a puppy from any possible harm.

...whether your puppy was building muscles from an early age or not 4-6 hours walking for me is far too much for a 14 week old puppy.

I am sorry if I seem to be labouring the point here Jess , many people read this forum and I would not wish them to over exercise a puppy without first checking up on the possible problems which may be associated with it .
Also you are a dog professional with a training school advising people on dogs, so to me that would make it even more important to check the best advice is being given

whether your puppy was building muscles from an early age or not 4-6 hours walking for me is far too much for a 14 week old puppy.

I am sorry if I seem to be labouring the point here Jess , many people read this forum and I would not wish them to over exercise a puppy without first checking up on the possible problems which may be associated with it .
Also you are a dog professional with a training school advising people on dogs, so to me that would make it even more important to check the best advice is being given QUOTE FROM MINIHAHA:


Sorry but having read some of Jess's post's I find it harder and harder to understand why a professional in training would want to use any dog as an experiment for training, whether it be exercise/obedience or anything else. I find that some things (worded) are quite stomache churning, and I'm only glad that I train my own. sorry

Agreed.
I will apologise, it is NOT the best possible advice for new dog owner, and I hope that it will not be taken against me. I am still debating with myself about taking him at 9 months do to the West Highland way, and your thoughts are listened to Mini as I respect you and your learned opinions.

''Jess not sure that is the right thing to say anywhere not just on Dogsey, whether you got your BC as an experiment in behaviour or anything else, that to me is not a valid reason to obtain a dog of any breed.''

Again I apologise for the offence caused to anyone by the use of the word 'experiment', I used it thoughtlessly. I gave up the chance to have a breed that I had been wanting for a long time* in order to learn more about the BC, so that I can be of better service to my clients.
Everything I do is an experiement, but as you mentioned perhaps it is not the best to voice it as such. Turns out that it has been the best one so far, and turned my thoughts around about this breed entirly. In fact I would go as far to say that I now have more patience for BC owners because of the little more insight that I have now that I have the privilege of living with one!

_______
*vallhund if anyone is interested.

I admire your apology Jess. Sorry I just love dogs, and sometimes the wording is (as I say) stomache churning. As an AVID BC LOVER AND OWNER, please remember these dogs will never let you down if trained right. That goes for exercise too, they will never let you know that they are tired......why......simply because they want to please. I have never used a dog trainer, luckily with the BC's I've owned I've never needed one, but who knows one day I might so sometimes when I read your wording, it could put me off, and I'd hate that to happen, as I said one day I might need one's help.

Young Steve.
Please don't let a silly old thing that one person says put you off others.
I am only one person after all, and sometimes I forget that I do things because of the things that I have learned, and some things cannot be explained, esp to the poor new dog owner who already has so much to think about.
I should really have replied to Hali on PM instead of confusing everyone on here with my 'experiment' - my silly idea for humour