Little 'clunk' on rear leg

[docmartin]

Originally Posted by gemy

A beach/sand is just perfect for strengthening the joints. Inside try using a carpet runner - I buy some at the scraps n things store here - ie remnants.

When it gets warmer can you walk her through the shallow water? THat is excellent conditioning. (for you too)

I would still get her assessed by an orthopaedic specialist. When Razz was a young puppy I was told he had loose knees. But one year later everything was fine, and is still fine now he is 5.5 yrs old. We do a lot of swimming. You can see vids of him dock jumping Also good walks - some hill climbing is great as well. I took him to different lakes some of which have lovely nice gravel parking lots and we walked through the gravel, great for strengthening the toes and ankles.

I do try not to throw the ball or such inside, instead we play find the toy, or pull games with toys. Using paper plates hide a treat underneath one, and then it becomes find the treat.

You can do mini obstacle courses inside - it is great fun. Like have a low stool and for a treat she must circle it, then jump up on it and sit - Treat reward. Make or get a tunnel and train her to crawl through it - Reward.
Let your imagination and your sense of fun guide you. It is great fun for all!

Thanks Gemy,

She really enjoys 'paddling' and our beach is deep soft sand, nearly always moist so she sinks in a little. At home we have a whole box of toys and I love playing hunt the 'toys' with her. I also get her to crawl through the duvet, which is hilarious to watch. We do also have rugs to cushion her "jumpings" landing points.

Everyone says how happy and affectionate she is. When we got her she was a little withdrawn, having been kept in a small outside concrete yard by her prior elderly owner who didn't have the energy to play with her. This was a short period (2 months) as she was only 20 weeks when we got her. Slowly her character developed and she has two doting parents who are with her all day. I think this support helped her to become as active as she now is.

The 'joints' pro-biotic seems to be helping too.