Exercises to build the front end / shoulders?

[BostonRott]

I'm looking for specific exercises/work to help build Banja's front end muscling. She's a 1yr old (12.5mos) pup who is lean, cut and has a very athletic build. She has good bone, is around 24-25" and weighs in at 74.5lbs.

I don't want any truly high-joint-stress activities for her yet. She jumps easily at 16 and 20", and is quite happy to do full Aframes in agility. However, she's still got some puppy laxity in her shoulders, so I think 16" is the highest we'll go for now, and I've gotta lower the Aframe.

It's still too cold to swim dogs here in New England (outside anyway), though that is on the main menu, once the weather warms up. She LOVES to swim!! :)

Love to hear any ideas!! Thanks! :D

[MontanaRott]

What about LIGHT pulling? A tire on a rope pulled behind her or a sled even?

[samanthac]

Possibly this...

http://www.activedogs.com/default.asp?S=503&A=E&PKV=507050|0

But i also know people who go out and get a large log, put an industrial eyehook into it, put the dog into a harness and attach the log via the long line to the harness. Then have the dog pull it around the yard.

You can also use a tractor tire...they come in various sizes.

HTH.

[moondog]

I'd think along with light pulling, going up and down steepish grades would strengthen her front end. And don't forget tug! That's a good front end exerciser, too!

[stevenc]

Originally Posted by BostonRott

I'm looking for specific exercises/work to help build Banja's front end muscling. She's a 1yr old (12.5mos) pup who is lean, cut and has a very athletic build. She has good bone, is around 24-25" and weighs in at 74.5lbs.

I don't want any truly high-joint-stress activities for her yet. She jumps easily at 16 and 20", and is quite happy to do full Aframes in agility. However, she's still got some puppy laxity in her shoulders, so I think 16" is the highest we'll go for now, and I've gotta lower the Aframe.

It's still too cold to swim dogs here in New England (outside anyway), though that is on the main menu, once the weather warms up. She LOVES to swim!! :)

Love to hear any ideas!! Thanks! :D

Try lots of hills! ;)

[LynnS]

Just curious

How can you tell if they still have puppy laxity?

[BostonRott]

The chiro was giving her an initial exam and went over her completely. There's something they do with the leg extended that shows it. As there are no clinical or radiographic signs of any other problems (i.e. OCD), she feels it's simply due to age. I've always felt the pups in this litter were quite loose, and I know the lines are slow to mature. :)

[LynnS]

Thanks Gretchen

For some reason I thought this was something you could tell by looking/feeling

[lblax]

other than swiming i would really let her develope on her own i think they usually work better and are more agile if they use what they got.... if she is working for you now the work you have her doing is building the muscles that she needs for the work... most things we think they need by looking at them sometimes just interferes with there performance

[Judi W]

I'm sort of with Larry on this. The hill climbing fine, but be very circumspect about the dragging of things. The muscles used for dragging a weight are entirely different than those used in pulling a cart with shafts. Watch and look carefully how she is using that front if you have her dragging a weight. I have seen dogs using their fronts in such a way that it pushes the elbows out and that certainly is not something you want. Dragging weights is something the Pitti people often do, but their dogs are often out at the elbows anyway simply because they are a bulli breed and it is part of their structure.

If her shoulders are well laid on then maturity will likely take care of it. If they are laid a bit low it would explain a bit of laxity but I would let maturity take its time.

[BostonRott]

Chris Zink thought she had nice shoulders. :)

[SABELLESMOM]

Try hiking. It certainly won't hurt, although I think maturity is more than likely the best answer. Swimming is an option only in the nicest wether here, too. :(

[RAVENMOM]

We hike and swim as well. Swimming is definately for summer. But, even in winter, I try to get out on the nicer days and go to my friends farm and walk the hayfields, or around the pond. Luckily I live only a short drive from her and her dogs. If it's too cold for me the dogs play in the fenced part of the yard...hers or mine, as we both have one.

[Judi W]

Gretchen,
If Chris said she was put together well, just relax and let mother nature take its course. Many pups are "loose" all over!!!!!