Dutch Shepherd Forum

Dutchringgirl wrote:well.....Sadie dosnt think she can swim ! I do take them to the lake a few times a week and Thalie goes in my pool to swim, but I cant get Sadie in my pool yet and in the lake, she wont go in past where she can feel the ground.

My 13.5 year Lab swim-walks about an hour a day. But I walk next to him. Even if the feet are not completely off the bottom, the swim-walks are easier on the bones since the water buyos them up a bit.

Sadie is 1. Im hoping that next year she will be more confident in the water.

Dutchringgirl wrote:

Cooper wrote:Other than supplements... Try swimming. Works for athletes and really old people. Why wouldnt it work for a dog ?

well.....Sadie dosnt think she can swim ! I do take them to the lake a few times a week and Thalie goes in my pool to swim, but I cant get Sadie in my pool yet and in the lake, she wont go in past where she can feel the ground.

She doesn't need to actually swim to be beneficial. I take my dogs to the lake and make them walk slowly in water that reaches their chest for about 20 minutes.

Have you ever seen those treadmills in water tanks for therapy? (like this one http://www.vetcontact.com/en/art.php?a=1181) I used to take my malinois to a therapist with one of those underwater treadmills. It did her a world of good. I could see the difference in her walk, her gait, and even a difference in her jumping. Walking in the shallows of a lake is the same thing. Just a little hard to do in the winter.

My first dog had moderate hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and arthritis from a shoulder trauma. The supplements were great (I buy glycoflex), as was good exercise. As he got older, the most problem he had was from the shoulder trauma, and he had an occasional Rimadyl for that. The ortho specialist ever said it was okay to continue doing mild agility with him as long as he enjoyed it and didn't overdo.

Anyway, the specialist said not to despair, just manage it as it progresses.

I agree that swimming is the best for any body. I used to swim with my horses too, that was a blast! I have plenty of streams and lakes to take them too during the summer. Ill throw a stick or a ball for Thalie and Sadie will go after Thalie until she gets deep enough, I do need to video her when she goes deep enough to swim, she gets scared and wimpers, its really cute. Last spring I had to rescue her from a stream because she was scared.

Hopefully all will go well at the appointment

Just an update.. Sadie is doing well so far. She is on Raw and loving it. I have not heard as many "ouch" cries as I used to but I think she has figured out some ways to avoid the positions that hurt, She is going up and down stairs much slower and when I see her get up from laying down its slow.

Her rear is really bony and her shoulder is getting big. I know this is from keeping her weight on the front and off her back end so she is comfortable. My question is....When I take her hiking, I usually stay on flat and its only for about 20 minutes or 1/2 hour, she is 14 months. Should I do some small up hills with her so she can engage her rear end and build up some muscle or would that put more stress on her rear joints.

I'm no expert on this at all, but is swimming an option for you (in spring...)? If you have any water near you, she can build up her rear muscles by swimming, you must hold her in one position so she anly paddles and is not fetching or anything.
Or, even better but it might cost a lot (no idea, overhere it is pretty expensive) swimming in a special warmed up dog-pool with jet's providing water flow at adjustable speeds.

Water is easy, I have a pool, just have to get her in it and there is a great trail that leads to a river that she will go into. I was wondering if water was my only option. Id like to take her on regular trail hikes that have hills but I also want to do whats best for her.

I would say play it by ear and let her tell you. Obviously, if she is out having fun, that is going to override her discomfort. But if she comes up lame or sore the next day, that gives you valuable information. Have some Rimadyl or a holistic option on hand for any after soreness. But you won't know what's best for her unless you let her push some limits.

Everyone has there own philosophy, but I would rather give my dog a happy fulfilled life, even if it shortens it some, then keep it in bubble wrap or a box.

Every time I have dealt with the issue (whether it was at the vet or a friend's dog) a well muscled dog helps keep the laxity down in the joint. So I would start with a short uphill walk and build from there.

Thanks Christie, It helps hearing some other experiences even if they may differ. She really loves running around with Thalie and sniffing out mice, I agree that Id rather see her lead a happy shorter life than a frustrated boring one.

Lisa, I'm so sorry to learn about Sadie's HD. I was offline during the whole original discussion, so have just caught up with your update.

I have a couple of exercise suggestions, that came from a rehab vet when I was working with my GSD with spondylosis. We needed to strengthen her spine and her rear assembly.

For the spine, I built a PVC ladder thing, with about 6 rungs, and about 8" high, then taught her to walk thru it slowly. Do like 6 reps, daily. As soon as Geyser was old enough to navigate the height of this "ladder" thing, I taught her to work it, and we do it almost daily as a general back strengthening exercise.

For the hind end, get a harness (any old harness will work), and get her to pull against it, as if she's pulling you towards something she wants to get to. She doesn't have to pull hard...just kind of medium, if that makes any sense . You can teach her to work towards a target (use a plastic lid from a large yoghurt tub, for example, place a treat on it, let her get it, "go target"), and when you've got her going for a target, you can get her pulling towards it by baiting it with good stuff. Gradually, move it farther and farther away, since your ultimate goal is 20 minutes a day. Yes, a PITA, but it really helps for strengthening the hind quarters. (I used "mush" as our cue )

Good luck! Glad the raw is going well

Leih, Awesome tips!!!!!!! Thanks so much, for the PVC will they slip?

Dutchringgirl wrote:Leih, Awesome tips!!!!!!! Thanks so much, for the PVC will they slip?

I think you're misunderstanding me somehow here (it couldn't be my descriptions! )

I don't see where you get slipping with the PVC. The PVC is used to build a frame, a ladder. Imagine laying a ladder flat on the ground, then add 8 inch legs to the ladder on the ground side, so the ladder is raised up off the ground.

Tell you what; we're headed out to train, so I'll take a picture of it, so you can see it instead of having to decipher my descriptions...

Oh! I just remembered that I already have a picture of this apparatus; not a great one, but enough to give you the idea.



So, it's 8" high, and not sure how long each space is; I'll have to measure it. Anyway, this is what I'm talking about.

I think she means the dog steps over the cross pieces, not on them as if climbing.?

alspyce wrote:I think she means the dog steps over the cross pieces, not on them as if climbing.?

Yes . The dog steps over each rung, one foot at a time. The point is to slowly pick up each foot and place it; it's the slow lifting and returning to ground level that is strengthening for the back muscles. It also is a great exercise for helping the dog to know where it's feet are and how they work together.

(Thanks for the explanation; I just couldn't figure out where slippage was happening )

leih merigian wrote:Oh! I just remembered that I already have a picture of this apparatus; not a great one, but enough to give you the idea.

Are the cats neccessary for the exercise?

got it, I did picture a PCV latter at an angle like a ladder would be, I see now, that would be good for her anyway since her body still goes every wich way. Ill get right on building one. I see your cats and working very well with it too.

The cats actually walk the rungs . The tuxedo cat does agility...just got my see saw out and he's so happy to have it to do again (he just loves getting the treats he gets for doing it).

Sorry for the confusion! Let me know if you need any help getting her to do it when you've got it built.

I have a see saw too, not for agility, I mountain bike, but I have been working with Sadie on it, Thalie is old hat at it since she did agility too.